PCFA launches five-year research strategy and innovative new funding award with Movember for prostate cancer research
Prostate cancer research in Australia will reach new heights over the next five years as PCFA and the Movember Foundation launch a new multi-million dollar research venture to deliver more opportunities to existing and future researchers in the prostate cancer field, including the new $5.25m Movember Revolutionary Team Award .
Funded exclusively by Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, Movember Foundation is committed to changing the face of men’s health through awareness, research and programs for men’s health. In 2013 two Movember Revolutionary Team Awards will be granted, totalling $10.5m. This significant initiative is part of the Foundation’s global research strategy to build powerful, collaborative teams that accelerates improved clinical tests and treatments for prostate cancer.
The Movember Revolutionary Team Award will see the development of two multi-institutional teams who will dedicate their time to developing new targeted treatments for metastatic disease, address resistance issues of advanced prostate cancer, seek new treatment options for advanced prostate cancer, and to tackle the critical challenges associated with localised disease.
To mark the start of its Annual Research Update today in Melbourne, PCFA will announce its 2013-2017 Research Program Strategy which will seek to bolster the current Australian research workforce by focusing on the following key areas:
- Growing and strengthening PCFA’s research funding base for the established Research Program.
- Increasing the national and international collaboration between prostate cancer research teams.
- Diversifying the Research Program by supporting innovative projects and accelerating current research into clinical trials.
- Supporting and promoting sustainability for the Australian prostate cancer research workforce.
According to Dr Anthony Lowe, Chief Executive of PCFA, the key aim of the research strategy and new research venture with Movember is to build on the success of past research projects and harness the strengths of new researchers.
“By taking into account the feedback and views of scientists, men’s health organisations and other interested parties, our five year plan will deliver a clear map of future priorities. Thanks to the generosity of the Movember Foundation, PCFA has been able to invest over $30 million into research projects across the country. We are thrilled to be getting another awards program off the ground,” said Dr Lowe.
Jason Hincks, Movember COO said, “We are humbled by the extraordinary efforts of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the globe, who not only raise funds but awareness for men’s health. The Australian Mo’s can stand proud today, as the money they’ve worked so hard to sprout and grow is committed to this revolutionary approach to prostate cancer research”.
According to Paul Villanti, Movember Executive Director Programs, Movember is looking to support a game-changing approach to the way prostate cancer research is undertaken in Australia. “A Movember Revolutionary Team must demonstrate that the whole team working together as one will be greater than the sum of the parts. This award seeks to transform the clinical management of prostate cancer by supporting scientific and clinical teams across institutions that are committed to this approach.
The chosen teams will receive funding over three years with renewal based on an international peer review process.
Investigators, scientists and clinicians who would like to apply for the Movember Revolutionary Team Award will need to submit a notice of intent to apply by Wednesday 31st July 2013.
Full details of the submission process will be available on Tuesday 11th June 2013.
