FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and American Association for Cancer Research Invite Applications for 2014 Research Grants

PHILADELPHIA (August 27, 2013) — The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network are pleased to announce the opening of the 2014 research grants program, which offers close to $5 million to support research that has direct application and relevance to pancreatic cancer.

Five grant mechanisms are being offered to postdoctoral and clinical research fellows, and junior and senior independent researchers. These grant mechanisms include the highly coveted Research Acceleration Network (RAN) Grant, which provides $1 million in funding to support team science and accelerate medical breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer.

“Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease; it is one of the few types of cancer for which death rates have been steadily increasing over the past decade,” said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), chief executive officer of the AACR. “Research into this deadly cancer is urgently needed, and the AACR is proud to continue its partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on these grant opportunities designed to advance basic understanding of this deadly disease and accelerate the translation of our knowledge into improved patient outcomes.”

In 2013, it is projected that more than 45,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States, and more than 38,000 will die from the disease. With a five-year survival rate of only 6 percent, pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest types of cancer.

“We are thrilled to provide close to $5 million in research funding through the 2014 grants program,” said Julie Fleshman, president and chief executive officer of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “Our goal is to fund innovative research, grow the number of researchers working in the field, foster collaborations across disciplines and institutions, and expedite scientific progress for patient benefit.”

“In a recent evaluation of our grants program, we found that our grant recipients stay dedicated to studying the disease, receive impressive subsequent funding, and publish their results to add to the body of knowledge about pancreatic cancer,” said Lynn Matrisian, Ph.D., vice president of scientific and medical affairs at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “We are excited to continue to support basic, translational, and clinical research that will build our Community for Progress and bring us closer to our goal of doubling the pancreatic cancer survival rate by 2020.”

Since the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network–AACR grants program was introduced in 2003, more than $17.6 million has been awarded to build the pancreatic cancer research community and accelerate pancreatic cancer research.

Submissions must be completed online using the proposalCENTRAL website at https://proposalcentral.altum.com/. Funding decisions will be announced in March and the grant term will begin July 1, 2014. Please see below for grant deadlines.

Applications are being accepted for the following grant mechanisms:

Research Acceleration Network Grant
This grant mechanism, now in its second year, provides $1 million over one to three years to support a project currently underway within the pancreatic cancer research community that is ready to be accelerated, includes a clinical component, and will help double survival for pancreatic cancer by the year 2020. The grant is open to independent investigators and needs to be implemented by at least two co-principal investigators from distinct institutions.

The deadline for the Letter of Intent is Oct. 7, 2013.

Innovative Grant
The Innovative Grant is a two-year grant totaling $200,000 to help the development of new and innovative ideas and approaches, including those successful in other areas of cancer that have promise for pancreatic cancer. The grant is open to independent junior or senior investigators.

The deadline for the Letter of Intent is Oct. 7, 2013.

Career Development Award
The Career Development Award is a two-year grant totaling $200,000 to support newly independent investigators develop or strengthen their research program in pancreatic cancer.

The application deadline is Oct. 29, 2013.

Pathway to Leadership Grant
The Pathway to Leadership Grant is a five-year grant totaling $600,000 that is designed to build a future leader in the pancreatic cancer research community by supporting a most highly promising postdoctoral or clinical research fellow during his or her mentored research and continuing through his or her early phase of independence.

The application deadline is Oct. 29, 2013.

Fellowship
The Fellowship is a one-year grant totaling $45,000 to support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow during the mentored research phase.

The application deadline is Oct. 29, 2013.

To learn more about the 2014 grants program, visit www.aacr.org/funding or www.pancan.org/2014grants.

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About the American Association for Cancer Research
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 34,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates residing in more than 90 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with more than 18,000 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes eight peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the scientific partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase the survival rate for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double the Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate by 2020. Together, we can know, fight and end pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better treatments and increase chances of survival.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jennifer Reeves Rosen
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
jrosen@pancan.org
(310) 706-3362

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK AT 877-272-6226 OR EMAIL INFO@PANCAN.ORG.