Melanoma Research Foundation Research Portfolio
The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating melanoma by accelerating medical RESEARCH , while EDUCATING to and ADVOCATING for the melanoma community.
Funding Melanoma Research
Scientific Initiatives
Creation of Resources MRF BREAKTHROUGH CONSORTIUM (MRFBC)
The MRF provides emerging and established scientific investigators (from medical students to senior investigative teams) with highly sought-after, peer-reviewed grants across the disciplines of biology, immunology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. From 1998 to 2019, the MRF grant program has awarded 178 grants to investigators at all stages in their career paths, totaling over $17 million.
178
Recognizing a need for greater collaboration around translational research, the MRF formed the MRFBC in 2010. The MRFBC is a national network of 20 centers of excellence in melanoma that collaborate to accelerate drug development.
GRANTS FUNDED
University of Colorado Northwestern
University University
of Chicago Ohio State University
University of Pittsburgh
TYPES OF GRANTS FUNDED:
California Pacific Medical Center
Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Yale University Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Columbia University New York University University of Pennsylvania/ Wistar Institute Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
TYPES OF GRANTS PURPOSE
ELIGIBILITY
DURATION
Introduces students early in their careers to clinical/research opportunities under
Medical students at an accredited U.S. medical school or institution
1 year
University of California San Francisco
MEDICAL STUDENT
the mentorship of an investigator engaged in melanoma research
City of Hope
Enables young researchers to generate the groundwork that can leverage additional grant funding from other funding bodies
Junior investigators which include: • Postdoctoral fellows with less than five years of postdoctoral experience OR • A research associate, instructor, assistant professor or the equivalent
2 years
The Angeles Clinic and Research Center
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
University of California Los Angeles
Vanderbilt University
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Moffitt Cancer Center
Virtual Repository A Virtual Specimen Repository has been established with harmonized SOPs to ensure consistency across institutions and trials and over time. Rare Subtype Focus Community United for Research and Education of Ocular Melanoma (CURE OM) In 2011, the MRF launched CURE OM to focus solely on advancing the goals of the ocular melanoma community. To date, CURE OM has provided $1.5 million in grants, held numerous scientific meetings, and is launching a patient registry while continuing to advocate for the ocular melanoma community and to try and improve the lives of the people impacted by this disease. Pediatric and Mucosal/Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Initiatives The MRF has also launched initiatives that focus on pediatric and mucosal/acral lentiginous (MM/ALM) melanoma. As such, the MRF is supporting grants
Encourages proven researchers to continue research on emerging challenges in melanoma
Established researchers, mainly faculty with at least an associate professor appointment
2 years
ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATOR
focused on pediatric melanoma as well as mucosal melanoma. With respect to pediatric melanoma, the MRF sponsors an Annual Pediatric Summit each year so that families can come together and learn the latest in medical treatments and research, and find support. With respect to MM/ALM, the MRF is providing funding support for a biomarker trial for MM/ALM patients. Support to the Field • Partnership with SMR to sponsor annual investigator awards and satellite symposia • Scientific meetings such as the Brain Metastases Summits 1.0 and 2.0 and the State of Melanoma Further, due largely to patient suggestions, the MRF has developed a wide array of educational information, downloads for use in the office, links to clinical trials, buddy programs and online support groups. More information about the MRF, its programs, and its scientific leadership can be found at www.melanoma.org. Patient Perspective Incorporating a patient-centric approach to the grant review process, a patient review panel ensures that patient and caregiver priorities are reflected in the research funding process.
Encourages collaboration across academic disciplines in an institution or among multiple institutions
A PI and at least one co-PI, ideally from different institutions
2 years
TEAM
Fosters clinical trials in the melanoma space
CLINICAL TRIAL
Junior through established investigators
2–3 years
GRANT RECIPIENT NIH-type funding mechanisms are not appropriate for the research proposed herein since it is the kind of research that is considered ‘risky’ by study sections. Only visionary funds like the MRF can overcome the vicious cycle of ‘no preliminary data that demonstrate the concept/no funding’ which we are all used to getting from the NIH review process.
GRANT RECIPIENT
This grant was the first one I was awarded after finishing my medical training, and tremendously helped establish my academic career.
FUNDING FROM THE MRF HAS RESULTED IN:
181 PUBLICATIONS
346 PRESENTATIONS
5 PATENTS
15 CLINICAL TRIALS
62 GRANTS WITH NEW COLLABORATIONS
41 GRANTS WITH NEW FUNDING SUPPORT
57 MEDICAL STUDENT AWARDS
29 ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATOR AWARDS
83 CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
9 TEAM AWARDS
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT MELANOMA.ORG/RESEARCH-SCIENCE
MELANOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION melanoma.org/research-science 202.347.9675 or 800.673.1290
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