Accelerator Awards

Purpose

The Accelerator Awards represent NETRF’s largest and most prestigious grant category, designed to fund groundbreaking projects with the potential to transform neuroendocrine cancer research and treatment. We seek proposals that push the boundaries of innovation and foster synergistic collaboration across diverse scientific disciplines.

Each proposal must include substantial aims that necessitate a four-year timeframe for completion. Given their scope and impact, Accelerator Awards are often multi-disciplinary and comparable to an NIH R01 grant.

We strongly encourage applications that bring together investigators from diverse scientific backgrounds to drive cutting-edge discoveries and accelerate progress in the field.

Amount

These awards provide $800,000 over four years ($200,000/year) to support ambitious research efforts. Grants will be paid in US dollars.

Eligibility

We strongly encourage applications that bring together investigators from diverse scientific backgrounds to drive cutting-edge discoveries and accelerate progress in the field.

• Applicants must have an MD, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent degree and be appointed as faculty at the Assistant Professor level or above (or equivalent position). Research track faculty are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research.
• Eligible organizations include public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories, both in and outside of the United States. Applications from the biotech, pharmaceutical, or for-profit life sciences industries are not eligible.

Conditions

• Projects that bring together investigators from diverse scientific disciplines are highly encouraged. For team applications, one principal investigator and one institution must be selected. Funds can be awarded to institutions in or outside of the United States.
• Awardees, as a condition of acceptance, will be required to attend the annual NETRF Research Symposium. Funds from the awarded grant can be allocated to attend the Annual NETRF Symposium.

Selection process

The NETRF request for applications uses a two-step process.First, applicants submit a competitive Letter of
Intent (LOI). Only one LOI may be submitted per applicant, per program. Applicants selected to advance will be invited to submit a full application.

• An LOI must be submitted, and all eligibility criteria must be met to be considered for the full application stage. LOIs that do not meet these requirements will be administratively rejected.
• If invited, applicants must submit a full application that meets all program guidelines. Applications that do not meet these requirements will be administratively rejected.
• LOIs and full applications will be peer reviewed by an independent panel of scientific experts.

Grant monitoring

Grant recipients are required to submit progress reports every six months detailing scientific progress, research milestones achieved, and project-related expenditures. The reports disclose updates on publications, patents, and clinical trial advances when applicable. These reports are reviewed to ensure that funds are being properly spent and that sufficient progress is made throughout the grant term. Continued funding is contingent upon review and approval of progress and achievement of relevant milestones. Post-award reports at one, three, and five years are required to measure longer-term outcomes of the funded research.