Application and funding process

Before applying to CBCRP for grant funding, consider our background, approach, funding strategy and existing portfolio. Our focus is specifically targeted to breast cancer, so researchers outside this field should cultivate collaborations or develop preliminary data in breast cancer prior to applying. Make sure your research project matches our priority issues and award types.

We are interested in funding novel topics not yet represented in the portfolio of CBCRP or other funding agencies. If you have received prior CBCRP funding, it is especially important for you to distinguish a newly submitted project from past projects. We also encourage you to explore your topic area on the International Cancer Research Portfolio (ICRP).

All applications except conference awards will be reviewed for scientific merit and programmatic relevance in multiple steps:

• IDEA and Translational Research Award LOI review: The CBCRP council will review and invite applications for those that are most responsive to program award type, research priority issue (topic) and plans for advocacy involvement. Limited feedback will be provided. LOI instructions and templates are available on the Application Materials page.
• Application peer review: Out-of-state researchers and advocates will rate applications for scientific merit attributes (e.g., innovation, impact, approach, etc.) and provide written feedback.
• Final programmatic review: The CBCRP council will review scientifically meritorious applications for programmatic relevance (including the extent that equity and inclusion is addressed), portfolio balance, advocacy involvement, and peer review panel funding recommendations.

The decision to offer funding is determined by a combination of scientific merit and programmatic responsiveness. Applicants will receive a detailed peer review evaluation summary with key points from the review committee discussion and information on the programmatic review and funding decision.

Webinars

On September 18, 2023, we hosted an applicant informational webinar that described the goals and requirements for the IDEA, Translational, Community Research Collaboration and Conference awards and the process for applying for them.

• View the applicant informational webinar at files/2023-cbcrp-applicant-webinar.mp4.
• View a demonstration of how to complete application materials in SmartSimple at files/webinars/cbcrp-smartsimple-nav.mp4.

How to apply

All LOIs (except for the Communty-led Conference Award) and applications must be submitted online through SmartSimple.

Registration is required in order to access SmartSimple. 

1. When accessing SmartSimple for the first time, all users should click the “Register Here” button under “Principal Investigator Registration” and follow the instructions to enter your institution, name, and contact information.
2. If you cannot find your institution, click “Search the IRS database” If your institution is listed in the IRS database, click the “Select” button (right arrow) to add it to the system and continue to #4. If it is not listed, please contact us to have your institution added to the system. Contact information can be found at the end of this document.
3. If you need to change the institution that your account is associated with, please contact us.
4. Once you have created a user account, you will receive an email with instructions to create a password and complete your account profile.
5. If you see a pop-up message indicating that an account with your email address already exists, return to the main login page (https://rgpogrants.ucop.edu), and click the “Forgot Password” You will receive an email with a link and instructions to reset your password. If you do not receive the password reset email within one hour, please contact us using the contact information at the end of this document. Make sure to check your spam or junk folder.

If you have questions about how to apply, contact us.