Developmental Research Program (DRP)

Director: Kimberly Leslie, MD, University of New Mexico

Co-Directors: Dineo Khabele, MD and Kathleen Moore, MD, University of Oklahoma

Program Application Information

Proposals for the first cycle of the Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE Developmental Research Program are being accepted until May 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. Review the SPORE DRP Request for Proposals for more information.

SPORE DRP Overview

The overall goals of the Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE Developmental Research Program (DRP) are to support innovative, early-stage research in endometrial cancer, to develop pilot projects to the point of inclusion as full SPORE projects and increase the number of investigators committed to endometrial cancer.

The DRP provides one- to two-year pilot funding for projects in basic, translational, clinical, epidemiologic, and cancer prevention and control research. The DRP is open to all three participating institutions in the SPORE: Washington University in St. Louis, University of Oklahoma, and University of New Mexico.

Award Details:
• Award amount up to $50,000 in direct costs for one year. Budget requests up to $75,000 will be considered only with a unique scope of work and a strong budget justification.
• Project period: August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026
• Award may be renewed for another year contingent on adequate progress, availability of funds, and strategic priorities. Maximum award duration is limited to 2 years.
• The number of awards and the award amount may increase or decrease depending on funding available. Amount requested should reflect what is needed to achieve study objectives, not to maximize amount awarded.

Eligibility:
• Independent faculty members (instructor level or higher at the time of award) from any of the three partner institutions: Washington University, University of New Mexico, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
• Faculty from groups underrepresented in biomedical research and all individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Projects that utilize SPORE or institutional shared resources (Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core, Biospecimen, Metabolomics, and Pathology Core, Gynecologic Oncology Tissue Bank, etc.) are specifically encouraged.

We fully anticipate that one or more DRP projects will be elevated to full SPORE projects in the next funding period. Additionally, new investigators will leverage DRP support to develop their projects, obtain preliminary data, and secure external funding and thus establish their careers in endometrial cancer research. Finally, established investigators who are new to the field will apply their knowledge and expertise to the field of endometrial cancer.