Developmental Funds

Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): Chu, Edward DEVELOPMENTAL FUNDS – PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Developmental Funds (DF) at the Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center are used to invest in new scientific initiatives to catalyze transdisciplinary, translational research, team science and research relevant to the MECC Catchment Area (CA). Funds are aligned to the 10 strategic scientific priorities as detailed in the MECC Strategic Plan 2021-2026: (1) to be a national model for community outreach and engagement and research focused on CA; (2) cancer therapeutics/drug development with specific focus on small molecules and targeted agents; (3) cancer immunology and new immunotherapies/cell therapies; (4) cancer biology and signaling; (5) cancer dormancy, tumor microenvironment and metastasis; (6) cancer and aging; (7) cancer epidemiology focused on the Bronx CA patient population; (8) tumor genomics and precision medicine in underserved and underrepresented groups (URGs); (9) environmental and behavioral factors affecting common cancers in Bronx CA; and (10) heath disparities, health services, and health implementation science. Four distinct Pilot Project Programs were developed during the current project period: (1) MECC Team Science Awards; (2) MECC Translational Research and Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials Pilot Program; (3) MECC Catchment Area Research Pilot Program; (4) MECC Research Program Pilot Projects. Use of DF is based upon a rigorous assessment of MECC strategic needs, as articulated in the Center’s strategic planning process and coordinated by the MECC’s Senior Leadership Team. A substantial proportion of DF was allocated to support 9 pilot projects focused on research relevant to the CA. MECC Administration has refined processes for the solicitation and review of pilot project applications and the allocation of funds. Strategic scientific priorities funded with DF, relevant to the CA and that directly impact our Bronx patients, include chemoprevention of colon cancer, onco- fertility and strategies to increase access to services, environmental exposures from air pollution and links to lung cancer, and understanding barriers to effective diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer for effective intervention. Future plans for the expenditure of DF in the next project period will continue to reflect priorities designated in the Strategic Plan. A program under development will focus on new MECC investigators who identify with an Underrepresented Group (URG) conducting research to address the disproportionate cancer burden among URGs. The goal of this funding mechanism is to facilitate research that will generate pilot data for future competitive NCI grant applications. OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 03/2020 Approved Through 02/28/2023) Page