Research Innovation Track

The Research Innovation Track prioritizes high-risk, high-reward projects that have the long-term goal of transforming and advancing the field of cancer care delivery research.

This track is open only to PC3I faculty and fellows, with budgets of up to $50K over 12 months. The application period is currently open, with proposals due September 30.

Target Projects

Proposed projects should be:

  • Be well-defined: Great research starts with clear questions or problems.
  • Be short-term: Projects should be able to be accomplished within 12 months.
  • Think big: PC3I is looking for projects whose funding at the pilot stage will enable applications for future, larger funding opportunities that will have generalizable and transferable impact.
  • Have cross-disciplinary involvement: Projects should have perspectives from across PC3I’s Programs.

Application Details

Applications open August 3. Proposals are due September 30 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified by October 30.

To apply, fill out this application and send the completed pdf to sarah.winawer-wetzel@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Eligibility: PI must be a PC3I faculty or PC3I fellow at the time of application. PIs may be from Penn or CHOP. However, they may include individuals from across Penn Medicine and CHOP as members of the project team. Projects that already have existing external funding (i.e., outside of Penn or CHOP) are not eligible.

Funding Level: Projects can have a budget of up to $50K and should be completed within 12 months. A no-cost extension will be considered after Year One, but if funds are not spent down by the end of Year Two, the award will be forfeited, and the account closed. If desired, the budget can include some portions of PC3I staff member time (see application for budget template and details). The budget may not include travel or salary support for faculty.

FAQs

Projects are chosen by PC3I leadership. Projects can focus on any phase of the cancer care continuum, from primary prevention and early detection through treatment and survivorship.

Only PC3I faculty and fellows are eligible to apply.

For FY27, we anticipate fundings two projects, but the final number of selected projects will be based on the number and quality of applications.

We are part of a broader innovation community within Penn, including the Center for Healthcare Information & Transformation, which runs the Innovation Accelerator Program. PC3I’s focus is on transforming care delivery within cancer care delivery research and clinical practice, which includes this track as well as the Practice Innovation and Geriatric Oncology Innovation tracks.

Reach out to Sarah Winawer-Wetzel, PC3I’s Director of Strategy & Operations at sarah.winawer-wetzel@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.