Developmental Research Program and Career Development Program in the Brain SPORE

New ideas are continually emerging from clinical practice, which require further investigation in the laboratory. In addition, laboratory findings that need to be tested for clinical application are regularly developed. These ideas can be nurtured through the Brain SPORE's developmental research and career development programs.

The Developmental Research Program exists to support innovative and scientifically-sound projects investigating a question pertaining to some aspect of translational research in gliomas and other primary brain tumors.

The premise of this program is that support of developmental research projects will result in the generation of new hypotheses that will be tested within the full SPORE-sponsored projects or through other peer-reviewed external grant support. Because the long-term goal of Mayo's Brain SPORE is to translate scientific findings into effective interventions in patients with, and patients at risk for, primary brain tumors, this program provides another avenue for initial hypotheses development.

Developmental Research Program objectives are to encourage innovative translationally-relevant laboratory, population and clinical studies while fostering extensive collaboration between basic and population science as well as clinical disciplines. It may also be used to encourage investigators in related fields to evaluate the potential of applying their research findings into translational projects in brain tumors, all the while keeping the main focus of generating new hypotheses to test in large-scale research projects or clinical trials.

Further opportunities are available for newer investigators or those considering career transition or expansion. To continue to grow the number of knowledgeable, well-trained scientists experienced in multidisciplinary research essential for future studies in translational research in the causation and treatment of gliomas and other primary brain tumors, the Brain SPORE includes a Career Development Program. The SPORE structure provides the ideal mechanism to train young investigators in translational, multidisciplinary brain tumor research; and, secondly, to redirect established investigators into that research.

To meet these objectives, the SPORE conducts stringent candidate selection processes for grant awards and then provides comprehensive guidance by a mentor and other investigators at Mayo, as well as a scientific mentor group with expertise in the researcher's specific area of interest.

Researchers applying for the Career Development Awards are encouraged to pursue research in one of six research theme areas:

• Imaging
• Viral, gene and immunotherapy
• Experimental therapeutics
• Pediatric brain tumors
• Biomarkers
• Genomics

These represent important “growth” areas within the Mayo Brain SPORE as well as for the NCI SPORE Program overall.

• Developmental Awards