This Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO) is to support multi-project pilots designed develop preliminary data for larger NCI multi-project (P01/P50/U54 etc.) type submissions. PI(s) are required to submit a Statement of Intent (rolling call) which will be reviewed by Massey’s Executive Committee and select applicants will be invited to submit a full application within eight weeks.

Purpose

• This mechanism is meant to encourage the development of team-based initiatives by providing support for linked Multi-Project applications (e.g., P50, P01, U54).
• For Multi-Project applications: At the time of submission, well-established scientific teams and projects are expected, with an anticipated NCI/NIH submission timeline within 12-24 months of receipt of Massey pilot funds. An Internal Advisory Board (IAB) must already be established and have met at least once prior to Statement of Intent submission. A Letter of Support is required from the IAB Chair summarizing feedback from their latest meeting.
• Total project period may not exceed 2 years.
• Combined budget for direct costs for the total project period may not exceed $200,000 and can be split across multiple components (research projects, cores, etc).
• In addition to scientific progress, it is expected that there will be significant progress in the administration and organization of the planned extramural grant application throughout the duration of this award. The release of year 2 funds will be contingent on the following steps being accomplished during year 1 of funding:

1. Pre-application consultation meeting with the NCI/NIH.
2. Convening of an External Advisory Board and submission of their report.
3. Engagement with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement to incorporate Massey Community        Champions into the project development.
4. Presentation on progress with Massey’s Senior Leadership Committee.

Eligibility

• Only applications submitted by wells established multiple principal investigator teams are eligible. The contact PI of the pilot must be a NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG)-eligible Research Member (please verify with Massey Administration before applying by contacting Alex Haynes, haynesa4@vcu.edu).
• Effort between MPIs from must be comparable and well defined in multiple projects and all MPIs must contribute to the overall project in similar magnitude. 
• An individual may submit only one application as PI or MPI per year. An individual is allowed to be a co- investigator, consultant, or mentor on multiple submissions. A faculty member currently funded in the role of PI or MPI by a Massey pilot research award is not eligible to submit an application to this opportunity unless their current award will end by the scheduled start date.

Award Information

• The Massey Team Science Awards budget requests may not exceed $200,000 and two years of funding
• Applications must include Multiple Principal Investigators Teams.
• Total awards are dependent upon available funding. The number of awards and the award amount may increase or decrease each year dependent upon the budget and philanthropic funding available in any given year.
• Projects are expected to be completed within the specific total project period not to exceed 2 years.  
• Projects that do not adhere to these guidelines will be disqualified from administrative and scientific review.