How We Select Grants
Komen announces the availability of research funding, fellowships, and training grants three times per year -- Research RFAs are announced in spring – typically May - (Research Grants—Cycle 1) and training RFAs are announced in late summer (Fellowships and Training Grants—Cycle 2). The applications are designed to provide the opportunity for researchers to submit proposals describing their proposed studies and the potential clinical impact of the results.
NEW! Komen Review Process
Komen has instituted a new, multi-step approach to application submission and review that includes:
- Submission of pre-applications which are scientifically peer-reviewed to identify those Applicants to be invited to submit full applications; and
- By invitation only submission of full applications, which are scientifically peer-reviewed to order applications for funding based on review criteria.
Pre-application peer review is replacing responsiveness review. This is a substantial modification that significantly changes the components and importance of the pre-application.
Pre-application peer review process
Each pre-application is assigned to a review committee and then assigned to individual reviewers within that committee. The applications will be reviewed by three scientists with appropriate expertise and by a highly qualified advocate reviewer who has participated in Komen’s Advocates in Science program. Scientist and advocate reviewers assess the strengths and weaknesses of each application based on the defined review criteria as described within the grant RFA.
Approximately 20-25% of the submitted pre-applications will be identified as the most meritorious and aligned with Komen’s research objectives. Upon approval by Komen’s Scientific Advisory Board, Applicants will be invited to submit full applications for further peer review and funding consideration.
Full Application Review Process
Full applications proceed through a two-step review process. The first step includes a review and rating process by the assigned reviewers who will assess the strengths and weaknesses of each application based on the defined review criteria described below. During the second step, the review committee discusses all full applications during a face-to-face meeting. Following review committee discussion of each application, all committee members assign a single, overall application score. These overall scores are averaged and then used by Komen’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to make final funding recommendations across all research mechanisms. Applications are recommended for funding in the order of the overall average score.SAB recommendations are then forwarded to Komen’s Board of Directors which determines the final slate of applications for funding.
This review process typically involves more than 425 scientist and advocate reviewers working in 23 to 25 committees. Although the number of applications received varies from year to year, Komen typically receives between 950 and 1,050 pre-applications annually. Funding ratios can vary considerably by year and grant type.
How We Manage Grants
We seek to partner with our grantees to foster quality research and ensure accountability. Each funded grant is assigned to a Ph.D.-level science manager with expertise relevant to the grant. All grantees must submit annual progress and financial reports, with more frequent reporting as required. Komen’s Research and Training Grant Policies and Procedures provide specific guidance about grant requirements and changes, all of which are managed through the online Komen Grants Management System (KGMS) which fully automates administrative functions.
Increasingly, we are seeking unique opportunities for collaboration among grantees, to serve as a resource for information about emerging issues affecting the larger research community, to involve advocates in research activities, and to engage our grantees with our Affiliates and partners.
Questions?
Contact the Komen Grants Help Desk at helpdesk@komengrantsaccess.org or 1 (866) 921-9678.
