Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) grants
A Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) is a cornerstone of efforts by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to promote collaborative, interdisciplinary translational cancer research. A SPORE is part of the NCI's Translational Research Program.
The NCI awards SPORE grants to select academic research institutions through a highly competitive process. To earn an NCI SPORE grant, institutions must demonstrate extensive collaboration between first-rate scientists and clinicians and show excellence in translational research projects.
Mayo Clinic SPOREs
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center has four NCI SPORE grants:
Collaborative leiomyosarcoma SPORE
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center also collaborates with the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center on the Genetics and Genomics of Leiomyosarcoma SPORE.
Mayo Clinic oncologist Steven I. Robinson, M.B.B.S., is director of the SPORE's Developmental Research Program. Mayo Clinic oncologist Brittany L. Siontis, M.D., is a clinical co-leader of Project 3: Applying Liquid Biopsy Technologies to Detect Clinical Response and Mechanisms of Resistance in the Treatment of Leiomyosarcoma.
Encouraging rapid translation to care
SPORE grants enable rapid and efficient movement of scientific findings into clinical settings. SPORE grants support research projects designed to result in new and diverse approaches to the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Their objective is to reduce cancer incidence and mortality and to improve survival and quality of life for people with cancer.
The NCI encourages SPOREs to include the advice of patient advocates in their activities.
Opportunities for researchers
SPOREs also offer two special funding programs: One for researchers to explore innovative ideas with untapped potential and one for rising researchers to find opportunities for career development, with an emphasis on diversity.
