Are there alternatives to the R03 or R21 for exploratory research?
Other federal agencies, notably the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs of the Department of Defense, offer grant support for exploratory cancer research on selected topics. Private foundations are often an excellent source of start-up funds, especially for young investigators. Your own institution may have internal funds available. Industrial sponsors are another possibility, but you may find that investors, like reviewers, are all too interested in evidence of feasibility. However phase I STTR grants can support an exploratory collaboration with a small business.
