PCFA Research Program

Welcome to the Research Program of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The PCFA recognizes that current strategies for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer are inadequate. Progress in the management of prostate cancer requires research as well as measures to make scientifically-rigorous clinical trials accessible to patients with prostate cancer.

Australia has a vigorous and internationally-recognized cadre of medical researchers, and the PCFA wishes to encourage and support their interest in prostate cancer research through a research grants program. Grants are awarded via a highly competitive process where each application undergoes confidential peer review assessment.

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The overall goals of the PCFA Research Program are:

  • To encourage young investigators to undertake research into prostate cancer, and to support those investigators as they mature toward independent scientists.
  • To stimulate senior scientists, not working in the field of prostate cancer, to bring innovative proposals to the PCFA; funding will be provided to obtain the preliminary data needed for NH&MRC or other grant submissions.
  • To encourage rigorous proposals for research that will provide direct, tangible benefits to patients with prostate cancer in a relatively-short timeframe.
  • To fund equipment purchases which will facilitate innovative research in prostate cancer.

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The PCFA is especially seeking applications in its priority areas for funding, specifically, projects seeking to:

  • Discover the genetic and cellular factors which initiate and/or perpetuate prostate cancer
  • Discover, develop and clinically validate new, non-invasive tests to detect prostate cancer, and/or to determine whether a patient's cancer is surgically curable.
  • Discover, develop and clinically validate new biomarkers that predict the future clinical course of prostate cancer and/or the response to future chemotherapy
  • Discover, and validate through preclinical and clinical trials, novel molecular targets for chemotherapy of locally-invasive or metastatic prostate cancer, including androgen-independent cancers
  • Develop new treatment strategies for prostate cancer, especially locally-invasive or metastatic cancers
  • Provide immediate improvements in the quality of life of patients with prostate cancer

This year - 2010 - the PCFA again invites applications for research into prostate cancer by qualified Australian scientists. Documents outlining the policies and procedures for each of the grant categories, application forms, and instructions for applicants including eligibility criteria are available from the links below after the opening date.

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PCFA Grant Categories

Young Investigator Grants: To support young scientists beginning a career in prostate cancer research. Up to $125K/pa over 4 years.

Concept Grants: For senior scientists not currently working in prostate cancer who have an innovative proposal and are seeking startup funding. Up to $125K/pa over 2 years.

Project Grants: For general proposals for prostate cancer research, including support for innovative clinical trials. Up to $125K/pa over 3 years.

Equipment Grants: For significant items of equipment needed to progress ongoing prostate cancer research. Up to $100K in any given year.

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Forms and Instructions:

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Relevant Dates for 2010


15 April       Funding round opens - Application forms available on the PCFA web site

1 July       Funding round closes - Deadline for submission of completed applications

1 July-15 Sept      Proposals are assessed by external reviewers

20 Sept       Assessments and proposals are forwarded to the PCFA Research Committee for further evaluation

22 Oct       PCFA Research Committee recommends candidates for funding

19 Nov       PCFA National Board approves candidates for funding

26 Nov       Successful applicants notified of the outcome of the review

Dates may be changed; modifications will be posted on the PCFA web page.

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PCFA Contact

For further information or questions, please contact us:
E:   research@prostate.org.au
P:    03 9948 2073
F:    03 9629 5655

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Grants Recipients:

Successful PCFA Travel Grantees 2010

Successful PCFA Grants: Funding 2010 & Beyond

Successful Grants: Priority driven scheme in partnership with Cancer Australia, Funding 2010 & Beyond

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Latest News

25 June 2010
Cure Cancer Australia Foundation joins forces with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to fund young prostate cancer investigators

Cure Cancer Australia Foundation             Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

With the application deadline for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) 2011 Research Funding Round closing on Thursday 1 July 2010, PCFA is pleased to announce a new research funding partnership with Cure Cancer Australia Foundation (CCAF). PCFA and CCAF have joined forces to further support young investigators working in the prostate cancer field.

Through this new partnership, CCAF will contribute $90,000 toward the first year of funding for PCFA’s Young Investigator Grant in 2011. Professor John Mills, Chairman of PCFA’s National Research Committee says the Young Investigator Grants encourage new talent and fresh ideas into the field, as well as help ensure the long-term future of prostate cancer research in Australia.

“PCFA is thrilled to partner with Cure Cancer Australia Foundation. Together, we will continue to encourage young investigators to carry out prostate cancer research, and support them as they develop into independent scientists,” Professor Mills said.

PCFA’s Young Investigator Grants provide up to $125,000 per annum, for up to four years, and support young PhD graduates who have demonstrated research ability and who are now ready to become independent investigators. CCAF funding will provide for the most part of the first year of these grants for three successful applicants.

Professor John Mills said, “PCFA aims to fund only the best grants and investigators in the field, with a focus on translational research that will directly benefit the consumer. We are very grateful to CCAF for recognising the need for increased prostate cancer research funding, and for sharing PCFA’s ultimate goal of reducing the impact of this disease on the community.”

In four decades of supporting cancer research, the Cure Cancer Australia Foundation has provided vital seed funding of more than $10 million to young researchers at the start of their careers. This money has been strategically targeted to support young researchers with innovative ideas, enabling them to pursue projects identified by the wider community as most promising in their potential to cure cancer.

Cure Cancer Australia Foundation Chief Executive Officer Leanne Warner said, “Cure Cancer Australia Foundation has passionately supported brilliant young scientists working in cancer research for 44 years in Australia. We are proud of our new partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia which is significant in that it reduces duplication of effort and administration for grant applicants. This collaboration of funding providers, gives researchers more time working at the bench to identify trends which lead to breakthrough discoveries. Our donors expect that we have a responsibility to make it simpler for researchers to obtain the funding they need to get on with the job, and so that's exactly what we are doing!”

Full details about PCFA’s Research Grant program, grant categories and deadlines can be found on PCFA’s website, www.prostate.org.au

Information regarding Cure Cancer Australia Foundation can be found at www.cure.org.au

 

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