Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Announces 2019 Grants Program To Fund Innovative Scientists

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., Sept. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) announced today that it is accepting applications for its 2019 research grants. The highly competitive program will award individual grants of $500,000 to scientists working to advance their pancreatic cancer research. The application period is now open and will run through December 2018.

"The need for continued research funding, both public and private, is urgent, as pancreatic cancer patients have the lowest five-year survival rate of any major cancer at just 9 percent," said Lynn Matrisian, PhD, MBA, chief science officer at PanCAN. "Pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States around 2020. Every new advance in detection or treatment began as a research effort."

This year, PanCAN will offer two types of grant opportunities for which investigators can apply: the Catalyst Grant and the Translational Research Grant.

Recipients of the 2019 Catalyst Grant will receive $500,000 over the course of three years. The application requires that candidates be junior faculty members conducting pancreatic cancer research. PanCAN has a longstanding strategy to increase the number of young investigators dedicated to the disease, and this grant is intended to solidify their path. Projects competing for this grant must have direct applicability to pancreatic cancer, but may be basic, translational, clinical or epidemiological in nature. Last year, during its inaugural run, PanCAN awarded this grant to two promising young scientists and plans to award between one and three grants in 2019.

The 2019 Translational Research Grant is designed to fund high-priority pancreatic cancer research projects and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries to application in patients. The grant will award recipients a total of $500,000 for a two-year term. Research project proposals for this grant must identify novel targets and approaches to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The idea is to generate compelling new pathways to target and to increase the pipeline of different therapies for the future.

"In addition to funding, PanCAN's Research Grants Program also fosters relationship-building between its new recipients and leading scientists," Matrisian added. "Grantees will gain opportunities for training and collaboration and will also be able to connect directly with the patient community through our Community for Progress program."

Since 2003, PanCAN and its charitable donors have invested more than $48 million to help advance the field of pancreatic cancer research, a significant portion through its Research Grants Program. Research is necessary to understand the biology of the disease and to develop improved early detection tools and better treatment options for patients.

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About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is dedicated to fighting the world's toughest cancer. In our urgent mission to save lives, we attack pancreatic cancer on all fronts: research, clinical initiatives, patient services and advocacy. Our effort is amplified by a nationwide network of grassroots support. We are determined to improve patient outcomes today and to double survival by 2020.

Media Contact:
Terra Hall
Media Relations Manager
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3311
Cell: 212-380-3919
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network