Wales Cancer Research Centre
Access to patient Samples for Translational Research Award
(ASTRA) April 2018
Please provide the details of your application under the following headings.
Note: that the application should not exceed two sides of A4 paper.
1 / Name of applicant(s)2 / Project title
(or brief summary of project: fewer than 100 words)
3 / Background
(please indicate if application is for a new project or for ongoing work)
4 / Timescale
(please indicate the anticipated end date of the project, and please be aware that a report to the Executive Committee will be required within one month of project completion)
5 / Project description
(including methodology if necessary)
6 / Expected outcomes and benefits
(please specify in detail how this funding will be used to support subsequent grant applications/fellowships to major funders and potential outcomes and impact)
7 / How are you going to use the samples, and how will this be supported?
(if applicable to application)
8 / Details of previous use of samples
(please specify how previous samples have been used and the outcomes. Please specify if you have previously used the WCB Pilot Projects scheme)
9 / Amount requested
(typically between £3,000 and £15,000 – please give specific reasons if your application exceeds this amount )
10 / Costings
(please give a clear breakdown of costs)
11 / List up to four of your recent publications which are relevant to this application.
12 / Supplementary Information
(in support of your application)
ASTRA Application Form Version 0.1 November 2017
Guidance Notes:
1. / Name of applicant(s) - The principal applicant can be a junior researcher, PhD student or equivalent but must be sponsored by an academic supervisor or group leader who will be a named co-investigator. Applications that can demonstrate new collaborations, especially between Wales based institutions will be particularly welcomed.2. / Project title - Brief summary of project – fewer than 100 words
3. / Background - ASTRA will fund ongoing work only if it is to support a NEW tissue collection with specific research outcomes that are distinct from the ongoing research project. The award will not normally ‘top-up’ or supplement existing projects. New studies based on preliminary data from WCB pilot projects are particularly welcomed. For clarification of eligibility we recommend that you contact Jo-Ann Baker as soon as possible, prior to submission of the application.
4. / Timescale - Projects must be complete by April 2020. Thus projects starting April 2018 must be able to source samples and to complete analyses within this 2 year period. This will depend upon sample availability. We strongly recommend that you investigate your sample requirements and availability with the appropriate bodies responsible for accessing your samples. If you wish to access samples through WCB, please contact Lisa Spary to discuss sample requirements before submission.
5. / Project description (including methodology if necessary)
6. / Expected outcomes and benefits - These should be in line with the priorities of Wales Cancer Research Centre, and Health and Care Research Wales. Reporting will be expected within one month of completion.
7. / How are you going to use the samples, and how will this be supported?
The ASTRA is intended to support the collection, provision, processing and analysis of samples and/or patient sample data for research. This may include fully-justified sample recovery and/or analysis costs but will not support staff costs from within the researchers’ own teams. Preference will be given to projects that maximise the use of funds towards both sample/data acquisition and analysis but there is no formal ‘formula’ for how these costs should be distributed and other relevant running costs will be considered. For further guidance please contact Jo-Ann Baker.
8. / Details of previous use of samples - The inclusion of relevant preliminary data from previous proof-of-concept studies, such as WCB pilot projects, will be looked at favourably (please indicate the previous source of samples and funding). However, we welcome new and innovative projects with significant potential for patient impact, that may have no preliminary sample data, or that seek to acquire novel sample cohorts.
9. / Amount requested - Indicative amounts are between £3,000 - £15,000 per project/lead investigator. Consideration will be given to larger amounts, in exceptional circumstances and only after prior discussion with the secretariat in advance of submission.
10. / Costings- Applicants are encouraged to enquire with Biobanks regarding sample access, feasibility and costs in advance of application. Funds are not to be used for staff within the investigators’ own teams.
ASTRA Application Form Version 0.1 November 2017