Special Research Initiatives

Focus on Environment, Disparities, and Primary Prevention

In 2004, the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) launched its Special Research Initiatives (SRI). The CBCRP’s Breast Cancer Research Council devoted 30 percent of CBCRP research funds to a program of coordinated, directive, and collaborative research on:

The goal of this multi-million effort is to fund research that not only increases knowledge about these questions, but also points to solutions that will reduce the suffering from breast cancer and move us closer to eliminating the disease.

The SRI was carefully crafted through an intensive strategy development process to leverage California's unique and diverse geographic, population, and research resources in order to identify and support critical studies that significantly move these fields forward. The process was designed to avoid duplicating previous research. This effort was led and supported by dozens of Advisors, providing the most up-to-date knowledge and the perspectives of advocates and experts from California and across the nation.

Critical documents were produced in the development of the SRI and guided the research recommendations. These included background papers and the extensively referenced report Identifying Gaps in Breast Cancer Research.

In March 2010, the council decided to build on the existing SRI by devoting 50 percent of CBCRP research funds over the next five years to directed, coordinated, and collaborative research focusing on environment, disparities, and prevention. This includes:

SRI Funding Opportunities

While other CBCRP award types are released annually, SRI Calls for Application and grants are not routinely scheduled.  This intermittent release of Calls for Applications will continue at least through 2015. Initially the funding topics will follow the existing strategy and research focus to address disparities and the environment, followed by new efforts to research interventions for primary prevention.

For information about applying for the SRI, view the SRI Call for Applications. Visit our Apply section for information about other CBCRP awards.

If you are not already on our mailing list and want to automatically receive SRI funding announcements, please email SRI@CABreastCancer.org.

SRI Research Underway

In March 2008, the CBCRP Advisory Council reviewed the recommendations of the SRI Steering Committee and decided to pursue program-directed research areas. As of March 2010, 14 grants totaling $7,212,594 have been awarded to address the environmental causes of breast cancer and the unequal burden of the disease.

To read more about a particular grant, click on the grant title.

More Information

For our latest press releases and other announcements, please check our Media Center. For more information about, please contact Catherine Thomsen at 888.313.2277 or email SRI@CABreastCancer.org.