GRANT GUIDELINES

These instructions are for investigators seeking consideration under THRIVE’s Research Grant Program. Only investigators who submit an LOI and are invited by the THRIVE Advisory Board to submit a full application will be considered for funding.

Who should apply?

THRIVE believes that improving quality of life requires a deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying treatment-related toxicity. The funding intends to catalyze innovative translational research in these areas:

• Fundamental understanding of toxicity associated with cancer drugs or therapies
• Identification and translation of key biomarkers of toxicity
• Development of in vivo, in vitro, or in silico models to predict early or emerging toxicities in pediatric or adult populations
• Understanding how protective co-therapies or modified exposure protocols influence therapy-induced damage
• Discovery of novel protective therapies or dosing strategies

THRIVE funding lays the foundation for future protective therapies, mitigation strategies, and next-generation treatments that will enable patients and survivors to truly thrive.

Purpose of the LOI

The LOI provides a high‑level overview of the proposed study with enough detail to evaluate scientific merit and feasibility.

Required contents

1. Research Abstract
   Your abstract should:

   • Identify the problem or gap the study addresses.

   • State the specific aims.

   • Summarize relevant literature or prior work.

   • Describe the study design, methods, and evaluation/analysis plan.

   • Explain how the work will (a) help characterize or predict when and how adverse effects may occur in patients who have received cancer treatment and/or (b) support the development of approaches to prevent or lessen these effects.

   • Note: Preference will be given to studies that involve both a nonclinical and a clinical researcher in the design, conduct, or analysis of results.

Optional supporting documents

• Biographical sketch: Education and training (chronological), positions and honors (chronological), and past/current research support for the past three years.

• Relevant publications: A short list of peer‑reviewed publications from the past five years pertinent to the proposed research.

1. Go to ProposalCentral: https://proposalcentral.com

2. If you’re new to ProposalCentral, select “Need an account?” and complete the registration.

3. If you already have an account, log in with your username and password. If you’ve forgotten your password, click the “Forgot your password?” link to reset it.

4. After logging in, click the “Professional Profile” tab at the top of the page. Complete steps 1–10 and ensure all information is current. Several application pages (e.g., Applicant/PI and Applicant/PI Institution) will automatically pull information from your Professional Profile.

5. To link your ORCID iD, open your Professional Profile and locate the ORCID iD icon near the top center of the page. The icon will indicate whether your ORCID iD is already linked; if not, follow the prompts to sign in to ORCID and link it to your ProposalCentral account. Once linked, your ORCID iD will automatically populate in your LOI and application.

6. Submit your LOI. You will receive a confirmation email upon submission. For assistance, contact research@hesithrive.org.

No deadline extensions will be granted.

• Each LOI is reviewed by the THRIVE Advisory Board for alignment with program goals and overall merit. Preference is given to innovative studies that engage both a nonclinical and a clinical researcher in the study’s design, conduct, or analysis.

• Notification: Investigators will be notified by email regarding approval to submit a full application.

• All decisions of the THRIVE Advisory Board are final and not subject to appeal

Submission portal: Submit the complete application through proposalcentral.com.

Required Sections

1. Project Abstract and Lay Summary
   Briefly and clearly:

   • State the nature, objectives, procedures, and significance of the project.

   • Explain how the study will help characterize or predict when and how adverse effects may occur in patients who have received cancer treatment and/or support approaches to prevent or lessen these effects.

   • Provide a lay summary in plain language for a nontechnical audience. (THRIVE may use this for communications and publicity.)

2. Research Plan
   Address the following:

   • Title of Project

   • Background and Significance: Scope of the problem; summary of mechanisms, markers, or approaches to be studied; brief evaluation of existing knowledge; gaps the study will address; expected impact on predicting or treating adverse effects following cancer therapy.

   • Specific Aims: Overall objectives and the specific, testable hypotheses.

   • Research Design and Methods: Experimental design; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; any new methods or cross‑disciplinary partnerships (e.g., nonclinical and clinical) and their advantages; potential limitations and alternative approaches. If human subjects are involved, describe inclusion/exclusion criteria, control groups, and recruitment.

   • Timetable: Time required for study setup, conduct, data analysis/evaluation, and dissemination of findings.

   • Project Personnel: Name, title, institution, role, and percent effort for each contributor.

   • Resources and Environment: Research facilities, laboratory space, and major equipment. Describe any hazardous materials/procedures and the precautions to be taken.

3. Budget

   • Budget breakdown: Total project budget, amount requested from THRIVE (awards will not exceed US $50,000), and other confirmed funding sources. Direct costs only (e.g., personnel, supplies, equipment). List project personnel with name, title, percent effort, and requested salary. If total costs exceed the THRIVE request, indicate other funding sources or how the remainder will be secured.

   • Not allowed: Administrative/indirect costs; institutional construction or renovation; capital equipment not required for the proposed research; office equipment/furniture; equipment service contracts; non‑study‑related travel; tuition; journal subscriptions, dues, memberships; publication fees.

   • Budget justification: Brief narrative explaining each line item and, for personnel, each individual’s role.

4. Research Approval Letter
   Biomedical research involving human subjects or animals requires an IRB or IACUC approval letter from the investigator’s institution. If not available at submission, provide an institutional letter of support. Funding is contingent on obtaining IRB/IACUC approval before study start.

5. Biographical Information and Publication List (appendix)
   Provide biographical sketches for key investigators: name, position, education and training (chronological), and research/professional experience (chronological). Include only publications from the past 5 years that are relevant to the proposed research.

Submit the proposal through ProposalCentral (https://proposalcentral.com) by the program’s posted deadline. No deadline extensions will be granted.

You will receive a confirmation email from THRIVE after submission.

Questions? Contact research@hesithrive.org.

Applications are evaluated by the THRIVE Advisory Board, which discusses proposals and sets funding priorities. Preference is given to innovative studies that engage both a nonclinical and a clinical researcher in the design, conduct, or analysis of results and that advance our ability to predict, prevent, or lessen the adverse effects of cancer treatments in patients receiving therapy and survivors.

Review Criteria

1. Significance & Scientific Merit

   • Advances understanding of treatment‑induced toxicity pathways in physiologically and pharmacologically relevant systems.

   • Develops or applies in vivo, in vitro, or in silico models of pediatric or adult drug exposure with improved predictive value for delayed toxic effects.

   • Clarifies the role of protective co‑therapies or modified exposure protocols in preventing or reducing toxic injury.

   • Supports the development and translational interpretation of clinically accessible biomarkers/measures relevant to patient monitoring.

2. Approach & Feasibility

   • Conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses are well developed, integrated, and aligned with the aims.

   • Risks and limitations are addressed, with viable alternative approaches.

   • The scope is achievable within the proposed timeline and budget.

3. Innovation

   • Aims are original and innovative.

   • Incorporates novel collaborations between nonclinical and clinical researchers and/or novel integration of data sets.

   • Employs new concepts, approaches, or methods.

4. Investigator Qualifications & Environment

   • The team has the expertise and commitment to complete the work.

   • Facilities, equipment, technology, reagents, and (as applicable) human/animal subjects are available.

5. Ethical & Regulatory Adherence

   • Complies with ethical standards and HIPAA.

   • Conducted in accordance with IRB and/or IACUC requirements.

6. Prospect of Long‑Term Funding

   • Likelihood of securing subsequent NIH or other major support to sustain or expand the research.

Decisions
Final funding decisions are made by the THRIVE Advisory Board. Applicants will be notified by email. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Research Grant Terms

Before funds are disbursed, the principal investigator (PI) must sign a THRIVE funding agreement that includes the terms below.

1) Grant Period
Specify the project timeline and major milestones. All experimental work must be completed within 24 months.

2) Payment Schedule
Upon receipt of the signed funding agreement and IRB/IACUC approval, THRIVE will disburse 75% of the award. The remaining 25% is released upon completion of agreed‑upon milestones (as defined in the funding agreement). Exceptions may be considered.

3) Reporting
Provide a 12‑month progress report and a final report at study completion. THRIVE will fund awardee attendance at the annual THRIVE Network Forum, where investigators will be asked to present interim or final findings. Publication of results is encouraged; the THRIVE Advisory Board can help identify suitable venues.

4) Site of Project
THRIVE funds public or private universities, hospitals, and biomedical research institutions worldwide. Research must occur at the facility named in the proposal. If the PI changes institutions, the PI must notify THRIVE immediately, submit a status report and financial accounting, and arrange transfer of any unused funds to the new institution.

5) Allowable Costs & Expenditures
Grants support only the purposes and budget approved in the proposal and cover direct costs only. Funds may not be used for: administrative/indirect costs; construction or renovation; capital equipment not required for the project; office equipment or furniture; equipment service contracts; non–study‑related travel; tuition; journal subscriptions; dues or memberships; or publication fees. Unused funds must be returned to THRIVE at the end of the grant period.

6) Grants Administration
Maintain grant funds in a separately identifiable account and keep records of all receipts, expenditures, and submitted reports for a reasonable period after the grant ends.

7) Institutional Approvals
All projects must comply with applicable regulations for human participants and animal welfare. An IRB or IACUC (or other relevant body) approval letter must be provided to THRIVE before the study begins.

8) Liability & Indemnification
The PI is responsible for conducting the research and supervising study personnel, and is liable for negligent acts or omissions. The PI and the PI’s institution must indemnify and hold harmless THRIVE, its advisors, agents, and partners from claims arising from acceptance or use of grant funds or from conduct of the study.

9) Suspension, Cancellation, or Termination
THRIVE may suspend or cancel funding at its sole discretion if grant terms are not met. Upon written notice, the PI must submit a status report and financial summary, and return unused funds upon request. The PI may terminate the grant by written notice with a reason, status report, and financial summary, and must return unused funds promptly.

10) Dissemination of Findings
Findings should be shared publicly—preferably via scientific meetings and peer‑reviewed publications. Scientific data generated with THRIVE support should be made available to other researchers and non‑commercial laboratories in a timely manner at no charge or on a cost‑recovery basis. If publication is not planned, the PI and THRIVE will identify other dissemination options.

11) Presentation & Publication Acknowledgment
All presentations and publications related to THRIVE‑funded research must acknowledge the HESI THRIVE Initiative as a source of support. Notify THRIVE when a presentation or publication is confirmed, and provide a PDF of the final abstract or publication when available.

12) References to the Work
THRIVE and the PI may share general, non‑confidential information about the grant with their audiences. For specific print or online communications (e.g., press releases), the PI or institution must acknowledge THRIVE’s involvement and notify THRIVE prior to distribution. THRIVE’s study‑related announcements will be shared only after PI review.