RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDING

Research Types

Discretionary Funding:

A one-off grant of up to $50,000 per year, over 1-2 years. Discretionary Funding grants are primarily to support small scale research studies such as Pilot studies that have the potential to lead to BCT-coordinated trials. Funding may be also be considered for sub-studies of protocols BCT is currently involved in, small-scale translational research studies, or projects related to research methodology.

Clinical Trial Development Funding:

Supports longer-term research projects (minimum three years) of high strategic value that are unfunded. Projects must be coordinated by the BCT Trials Department.

Concept Proposal

An investigator-initiated Discretionary Funding project or Clinical Trial proposal must be submitted using the Concept Proposal Form to the BCT Operational Executive. The BCT Operational Executive initially reviews the Concept Proposal to ensure that it meets the aims of the BCT research program and does not compete with a project that may be in the trials pipeline.

Applications are encouraged from non-BCT members. However, for all projects that are approved for ongoing development, investigators must become BCT members. Click here for further information about BCT membership.

Additional information about the BCT trial development process is available to members via the Research section of the website. Refer Clinical Trials/ Investigator Resources tab or via link: Research Development and Funding.

Concept Development Working Group

An approved Concept Proposal is developed with a Concept Development Working Group (CDWG), coordinated by a Craft Group Lead. Researchers may already have specialist researchers to form a CDWG, however the Operational Executive will provide guidance if required. The CDWG must consist of at least two specialist area experts, a statistician and a Consumer Advisory Panel representative. The CDWG develops the Concept Proposal into a Project Synopsis for a Discretionary Funding Application or potential Clinical Trial.

Peer Review and SAC Review

Peer Review of the Project Synopsis is coordinated by the Operational Executive. At least two independent experts, a statistician and the CAP will review synopses. The Operational Executive will make the final decision regarding Discretionary Funding Applications.

The peer reviews and the Project Synopsis of a proposed Clinical Trial will be presented for discussion and assessment by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC evaluates the scientific merit and feasibility of project proposals and determines the next steps required to develop the proposal into a Clinical Trial Protocol*.

* Funding options are also considered during this process. If BCT support for a grant application is needed, then BCT support must be confirmed (usually after peer- and SAC-review of the Project Synopsis) and sufficient protocol logistics developed to allow budget formulation. Supply of study treatment or other in-kind support must be confirmed.

BCT Investigator-Initiated Trials

The following clinical trials have been developed via the BCT Clinical Trials Development process:

TUGETHER, Breast MRI Evaluation, CAPTURE,  Neo-N, EXPERT, DIAmOND, CHARIOT, ELIMINATE, PROSPECT, SOLACE, DOMINO, SORBET, LATER,  NeoGem.

Discretionary Funding Projects

The following projects have been funded by BCT Discretionary Funding:

• Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy Using Fractional Microablative CO₂ Laser in Post-Menopausal Women with Breast Cancer on Aromatase Inhibitors: A Pilot Study
• TROG 14.04: Multicentre Study of Feasibility and Impact on Anxiety of DIBH in Breast Cancer Patients
• Understanding the barriers to, and facilitators of, ovarian toxicity assessment in breast cancer clinical trials which has helped lead to Measuring ovarian toxicity in clinical trials: an American Society of Clinical Oncology research statement
• Genitourinary symptoms in women with breast cancer: what do oncology health professionals think and do about them?
• The Implementation of a Decision Aid for women with early-stage breast cancer considering prophylactic mastectomy: a pilot study
• MDM2 inhibition in combination with endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibition for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer and BCT Research Blog
• The timeline and quality of life implications of madarosis in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy for breast malignancy
• Development of a patient decision aid for women with early stage unilateral breast cancer considering contralateral prophylactic mastectomy
• The SEGMENT study: A next generation SEquencing panel for GenoMic alterations for advanced brEast caNcer patienTs and BCT Research Blog
• iPrevent a web-based decision support tool for breast cancer risk assessment and management
• ANZ1302 Aromatase Inhibitor induced musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) and BCT Research Blog