Jessica Blackford-Cleeton and Rich Mosca, both members of the mesothelioma community, recently participated in the evaluation of research proposals for funding through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP). The program, housed within the Department of Defense (DoD), distributes cancer research funding toward research into cancers and diseases disproportionally affecting current and former military personnel.
Specifically, mesothelioma is part of the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) within the CDMRP. The 2021 PRCRP received a congressional appropriation of $115 million to allocate among 20 cancers. As consumer reviewers, Jessica and Rich were full voting members along with prominent scientists.
Mesothelioma was added to the CDMRP first in 2008 via the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation led extensive advocacy efforts and was instrumental in this accomplishment. Subsequently, after the establishment of the PRCRP, mesothelioma as a topic and mesothelioma research funding were moved to the newly established program.
How funding from the Meso Foundation helps researchers obtain DoD funding
Over the years, researchers have obtained nearly $30 million in mesothelioma-specific research funding from this government source. Quite frequently, researchers who received initial seed funding from the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation were able to use data obtained from those projects to apply and receive larger funding from the DoD.
Just last week, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation opened it’s 2021 grant cycle for LOI submissions. Researchers working in the field of mesothelioma are encouraged to apply to obtain mesothelioma research funding for their projects. All projects are evaluated through a rigorous peer-review process administered by the Science Advisory Board (SAB) of the Meso Foundation. Currently, the SAB is chaired by Dr. Tobias Peikert, a pulmonologist at the Mayo Clinic.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to eradicate mesothelioma. Its programs include funding of promising and peer-reviewed research; education; patient and family support; and advocacy. The organization strives to bring together thought-leaders in the field to identify the most direct path to a cure.
