The Department of Defense Lung Cancer Research Program is accepting preapplications and letters of intent for concept award grant, worth up to $100,000 for one year, for direct costs not related directly to clinical trials.

Direct costs may be requested for salary, research supplies, and support for multidisciplinary collaborations, including travel. The managing agent for this funding opportunity is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

To be considered for funding, applications for the award must address at least one of the seven areas of emphasis:

• Identify or develop noninvasive or minimally invasive tools to improve the detection of the initial stages of lung cancer.

• Identify, develop, and/or build upon already existing tools for screening or early detection of lung cancer. Screening may include, but is not limited to, imaging modalities, biomarkers, genetics/genomics/proteomics/metabolomics/transcriptomics, and assessment of risk factors.

• Understand the molecular mechanisms of initiation and progression to clinically significant lung cancer.

• Identify innovative strategies for prevention and treatment of early and/or localized lung cancer.

• Understand predictive and prognostic markers to identify responders and nonresponders.

• Understand susceptibility or resistance to treatment.

• Understand contributors to lung cancer development other than tobacco.

According to CDMRP, presentation of preliminary data is not consistent with the intent of the Concept Award mechanism. While the inclusion of preliminary data is not prohibited, the strength of the application should not rely on preliminary data.

Pre-applications are due by July 28. The full application deadline is Aug. 11. Programmatic review is scheduled for January 2017. The full program announcement can be found on the CDMRP website.