The 2024-2025 Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Grant Program, established under sections 381.922, Florida Statutes, is a critical initiative by the Florida Department of Health. Its core mission is to significantly advance progress toward cures for cancer through a rigorously peer-reviewed, competitive grant process. This aligns directly with a foundational commitment to public health and scientific discovery, aiming to mitigate the devastating impact of cancer on individuals and the state's healthcare system. The program's strategic priorities are deeply rooted in fostering robust research capabilities within Florida and ensuring that scientific advancements translate into tangible improvements in patient care and outcomes.
The program specifically targets several key areas to achieve its broad impact goals. Beneficiaries include cancer patients, particularly pediatric and adult populations, who will benefit from increased participation in clinical trials networks, leading to improved research and treatment protocols. A significant focus is placed on reducing the disproportionate impact of cancer on vulnerable individuals, addressing health equity concerns. The Biomedical Research Advisory Council (BRAC) plays a crucial role in advising the State Surgeon General on program priorities and developing criteria for grant awards, ensuring that funding is directed towards areas of greatest need and scientific promise.
To maximize its effectiveness, the program prioritizes applications that address several critical research areas. These include the reduction of mortality and morbidity in disproportionately impacted individuals, improving screening accuracy and detection in high-risk groups, and researching resistance to front-line treatments for recurrent disease in specific cancers. Further priorities encompass research focused on sarcomas, leukemia, other blood cancers, and prevention and treatment programs for tobacco use reduction (James & Esther King Program). Additionally, research into the biologic mechanisms of electronic cigarette use, its relationship to various cancers, effects in treated cancer patients, and interventions to reduce use are emphasized. The program also seeks to examine the relationship between obesity and cancer, treatment responsiveness, and treatment-related morbidities. While other areas described in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will be considered, these prioritized areas are expected to yield the most impactful outcomes.
The expected outcomes of the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Grant Program are multifaceted, aiming for a significant reduction in cancer-related mortality and morbidity across Florida. Measurable results will include an increase in research capacity and infrastructure within the state, improved rates of early detection and screening accuracy, and enhanced treatment efficacy, particularly in areas of treatment resistance. The program also anticipates a measurable decrease in health disparities among disproportionately impacted individuals. By funding diverse grant mechanisms—such as Discovery Science, Research Infrastructure, Clinical Trials/Socio-behavioral Interventions, and New Investigator Research—the program strategically fosters a comprehensive research ecosystem. This robust approach is designed to generate a continuous pipeline of scientific discoveries, leading to innovative treatments and preventive strategies, ultimately transforming the landscape of cancer care in Florida.
