Robbers New Investigator Award

Robbers New Investigator Award

Funding opportunity title 

Jim and Diann Robbers Cancer Research Grant for New Investigators

Funding opportunity number

PICR-ROB-FY2026-01

Key dates	Cycle 1	Cycle 2
Announcement:	August 26, 2025	November 11, 2025
Due:	October 24, 2025	January 23, 2026

Administrative contact

Doug Cuttell (dcuttell@purdue.edu)

Funding opportunity description

The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) invites applications for one-year, cancer-focused research grants from junior faculty for the Jim and Diann Robbers Cancer Research Grant for New Investigators. This program is supported by an endowment made possible by Jim and Diann Robbers. The awards are restricted to junior faculty within six years of their appointment whose research programs are not currently supported through national competitive research grants (i.e. R01 or equivalent) and who must be, at the time of the application, a member of the Institute for Cancer Research. The award amount is $30,000. Writing for a broad cancer-focused review panel is encouraged.

Submit your electronic application by 5 p.m. on the cycle due date. No exceptions. The electronic submission system will not allow applications beyond the deadline. Once here you can enter your Purdue e-mail and password.

Qualifications/restrictions: Applicants requesting funds to conduct the proposed work must be current members of the PICR. Co-investigators from other institutions and NCI-designated cancer centers may be included as collaborators but funds will not be distributed to other institutions. Only one application per institute member is allowed. No exceptions.

Cost share: This announcement does not require cost sharing.

Funds available and anticipated number of awards: The number of awards is contingent upon PICR endowments, gifts and other funds and the submission of meritorious applications.

Award budget: The proposal will be funded at a level appropriate for the proposed work but will not exceed $30,000. 

Award project period: Work should commence within less than two (2) months of the date of award. A project period of twelve (12) months or less is suggested. If the regulatory process approvals exceed three (3) months, the award may be terminated and the applicant asked to re-apply. 

Award restrictions: The budget cannot be used for equipment greater than $1,500, PI salary support, clerical staff support, or travel.

Award Setup: PICR Business office will set up one account per award under the Lead PI. Account setup can take up to 4 weeks to complete.

Award requirements:  Acceptance of this award indicates that you agree to participate in the programs below and to serve on the PICR’s Pilot Grants Review Committee for at least two consecutive cycles, and possibly represent the PICR at the annual Indiana Elks Convention or other philanthropic events. All of the following are also required:

1. Participation in the NIH visitation program coordinated by the Office of Research’s Perry Kirkham. PICR senior leadership will nominate you for this visit and will support your travel.
2. Participation in the one-day Office of Research grant writing workshop by the GWSW, which is currently scheduled annually in November. Registration for the event will be available in late September to early October
3. Either (a) or, if not successful, (b)
   • The Grant Writers Seminars and Workshop (GWSW) program. This program requires an application. If accepted into the program the workshop must be completed.
   • Only if you are not accepted into the GWSW, Perry Kirkham will approve your participation in the Purdue Office of Research sponsored Enrichment Program he runs in the Spring semester. This semester-long program is designed to guide you through writing a successful grant application.

If participation in the above has occurred recently, then please contact Doug Cuttell (dcuttell@purdue.edu).

Required publication acknowledgement: “The authors gratefully acknowledge the and support from the Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, P30CA023168”

No cost extension (NCE): No cost extensions are discouraged. An exception might be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be made to the administration of the PICR.

Regulatory: Please note the award is contingent upon obtaining all of the necessary regulatory approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, PACUC) or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pertaining to the work that has pending approvals.

Reporting: Responding to periodic request of progress is required. Triage of future applications may occur if reporting requests are ignored.

Proposal Guidelines:

1. Proposal Length: The proposal should be single-spaced and a maximum of three pages in length (Arial, 11pt) with no less than 0.5 inch margins.
2. Required Proposal Structure:
   • a. Specific Aims, Innovation and Significance: This section should emphasize the novel, creative and/or innovative aspects, cancer relevance, and the relevant expertise of the PI(s).
   • b. Approach: In addition to describing the scientific plan, describe the collaborative nature of the project (or plan for collaboration), if applicable. Letters of support from your collaborator(s) are encouraged but not required (not included in page limit).
   • c. Environment: Describe the shared resource(s) that will be used to add value to the science proposed in the application, if applicable. Only the names of the facilities need to be indicated, extensive details are not required.
   • d. Timeline and Specific Outcomes: Describe the expected outcomes and evidence that the project will be ready to start within two (2) months. Describe or outline the plan and expected outcomes/results for collecting the preliminary data necessary for attracting peer-reviewed funding and publications. Include any information on recent scored applications, if appropriate.
3. For the electronic submission, the items to upload should include:
   • a. Three-page proposal
   • b. Cited literature (not included in page limit, NIPL)
   • c. NIH Biosketch (including collaborators, if applicable, NIPL)
   • d. Current and Pending Funding (NIPL)
   • e. Letters of Support (if applicable, NIPL)

Review Criteria:

1. The primary review criteria will be:
   • a. Novelty / Innovative / Creativity
   • b. Significance / Scientific Merit / Cancer Relevance
   • c. Feasibility
   • d. Integration of Collaborative Science, if applicable
   • e. Potential to Attract Peer-Review Funding and Peer-Review Publications
2. The appropriateness of the budget requested for supplies, where applicable.
3. Productivity from previous internal awards will be assessed and weighted appropriately, if applicable.
4. Reviewers could consist of senior/program leaders, members or external experts. Writing for a broad cancer-focused review panel is encouraged.

Announcement history and updates

Funding opportunity number	Summary of change
PICR-ROB-FY2026-01	Initiation of announcement