In an effort to support investigators conducting patient-oriented research in palliative care who wish to maximize their chances of larger extramural funding, the American Cancer Society, in parallel with the National Palliative Care Research Center (NPCRC), is soliciting applications for pilot/exploratory research grants in palliative care of cancer patients and their families. 

This request for applications (RFA) provides funding for investigators performing pilot and exploratory research studies whose purpose is to test interventions, develop research methodologies, and explore novel areas of research in palliative care of cancer patients and their families. A condition of funding is a clearly defined plan as to how the investigator will use the results of the project to develop larger, extramurally funded research projects.

This RFA is limited to applications that focus on palliative care research projects for seriously ill cancer patients and their families in three specific areas:

1. Exploring the relationship of pain and other distressing symptoms on quality and quantity of life, independence, function, and disability and developing interventions directed at their treatment in patients with advanced and chronic illnesses;
2. Studying methods of improving communication between adults living with serious illness, their families and their health care providers;
3. Evaluating models and systems of care for patients living with advanced illness and their families.

Letters of Intent are due August 15, 2006. For more information, read the ACS RFA available on their website.