The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Awards More Than $54.8 Million to Breast Cancer Research
2006 Grant Awards Represent Foundation's Largest Research Investment to Date
WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 12, 2006 - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation today announced the awarding of 247 research grants totaling more than $54.8 million as part of its Award and Research Grant Program. The amount of research grants funded by the Foundation this year represents a 21 percent increase over last year's research grants total of just over $45.1 million. Every year for the past ten years, the Komen Foundation has significantly increased monies for research and aims to continually top previous research investments.
Komen Foundation grants support scientific advances in breast cancer fight
"Every major scientific advance to date in the fight against breast cancer has been supported in some way by a Komen grant," said Nancy G. Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. "This is Komen making good on its promise to do everything possible to end breast cancer. We will not stop seeking new ways to attack the disease and we will continue to cultivate the best and brightest researchers around the globe."
The Foundation's comprehensive and innovative approach to the fight against breast cancer is again reflected in this year's research grants portfolio. Grants have been awarded by the Komen Foundation for qualified researchers at leading institutions in the United States and around the world to investigate breast cancer from all angles, including cell biology, what causes breast cancer (etiology), risk reduction measures, early detection strategies, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, scientific model systems and cancer control. In many cases, the Komen Foundation is the only source of funding for innovative research approaches to finding answers.
Komen Foundation funds research in three programs
The Komen Foundation funds research in three programs: basic, clinical and translational research (awards of up to $250,000 for a two- or three-year period); postdoctoral fellowship research (awards of up to $250,000 for a two- or three-year period) and population-specific research (awards of $250,000 for a two- or three-year period).
Komen Affiliates provide support in raising money to fund grants
"More than 100 Komen Affiliates across the nation are in large part responsible for raising the money that funds our scientific research grants. This year, through their efforts and the support of private donors and corporate partners, we were able to fund more superior-ranked grants than ever. Innovative and promising research projects like these hold the key to a future where breast cancer will no longer be a life-threatening disease," said Rebecca Garcia, Ph.D., vice president health sciences for the Komen Foundation.
The Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant program is funded by at least 25 percent of all funds raised by Komen Affiliates and Komen Race for the Cure® events across the country, as well as by private and corporate donations. In awarding research grants, the Komen Foundation adheres to a blind, peer-review process that is recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
