The goal of the grant process is an intensive peer review of all proposals. Proposals are invited by the Scientific Advisory Committee, rather than accepted as unsolicited requests. The SAC generally reviews proposals in the late summer.

There is no set format, but we request a brief personal narrative of interest (no more than 4-5 pages), lay language summary of the proposal, an estimated annual budget (no more than $100,000), and budget narrative.

Considerable latitude is given to the investigators in terms of the work proposed. Both the Board of Directors and the Scientific Advisory Committee concur that some of the most important advances in understanding the disease will most likely occur by enabling brilliant minds to pursue some of their most creative theories. The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee is comprised of the following physicians/researchers:

• Howard Brensilver, M.D., Partner, Mystic Medical Group
• Michael Garabedian, Ph.D., New York University Medical Center
• Stacey Gualtieri, CPA, Doherty, Beals and Banks
• Susan Logan, Ph.D., New York University Medical Center
• Mike Morin, Ph.D., President and CEO of Oncovia Therapeutics, Inc.
• Briggs, Morrison, M.D., Head, Development, SVP, Pfizer Global Research and Development
• Nicholas Saccomano, Ph.D., Chair, SVP, Pfizer Global Research and Development Head, Research Technology

While most of the grants are unrestricted, the Foundation may have donors requesting restricted grants for specific purposes. When this occurs, the Scientific Advisory Committee will meet to determine whether the area of interest merits further exploration. If so, they will identify various research projects meeting the donor's criteria.