U2D2: The University of Illinois Cancer Center-UICentre Drug Discovery Program

The University of Illinois Cancer Center (UICC) is partnering with UICentre, the campus-wide drug discovery initiative at UIC, to launch a collaborative grant program entitled U2D2, directed at the development of new anti-cancer therapeutics. UICentre, in partnership with the High-Throughput Screening and Biophysics Cores of the RRC, exists to create and support drug discovery collaborations by providing bioassay development, chemical library screening, hit counterscreening and biophysical confirmation of compound binding and activity, hit-to-lead medicinal chemistry optimization, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK), and lead compound selection. It is anticipated that several U2D2 funding opportunities will be announced in the period FY 2023-2026. In this fourth call for proposals, U2D2 is offering seed grants for up to $25,000 for a one-year duration focused on small-molecule drug discovery. Future U2D2 offerings may expand to additional drug discovery approaches, such as biologic or nanoparticle development.

Proposal Requirements:

1. The seed grant proposal must be related to small-molecule cancer drug discovery, including an effort in one or more of these components:
   1. High-throughput screening and/or assay development
   2. Hit-to-lead medicinal chemistry optimization of an anticancer small molecule
   3. Lead optimization, including DMPK studies
   4. Target validation involving synthetic chemical probes
2. The PI must be a UICC member who has not received a previous U2D2 award, i.e., one from the 2022-2024 RFA rounds.
3. Budgeting guidelines ($25,000 max):
   1. No more than 25% of the budget may be spent on personnel in the PI/Co-Is’ laboratories.
   2. Estimated funding for the UICentre contribution (personnel, reagents, DMPK, other) to the proposed work should be included in the budget estimate. Applicants can receive budget estimate assistance by contacting centre@uic.edu no later than 11/26/2025.
   3. Budget details will be finalized once projects are selected.

Application Format:

Applications for the U2D2 program must be submitted via the link below. The proposal body must be uploaded as a single PDF file, consisting of three parts (A-C):

1. Application Narrative (three pages max, 0.5 inch margin, 10 pt) which includes the following
   1. Names, affiliations, e-mails of PI and Co-Is (roles specified)
   2. Clinician collaborators that may be involved at present or in the future if identified
   3. Title of Invention Disclosure, if any, and name of OTM technology manager
   4. Brief description of the biological target/pathway
   5. Description of the bioassay that validates the biological target in a relevant model
   6. Molecular structures of any small molecule hits identified to date
   7. Description of the planned animal model to establish proof of concept, including IACUC protocol number (if available).
   8. Novelty in target/indication/assay (advantage over competition)
   9. A precise and significant milestone that would mark success for the funded project
   10. A brief description of how the accomplishment of this milestone would position the PI/team to achieve a larger translational goal (supported by funding).
   11. Budget Justification
2. References cited (in support of part A; no page limit).
3. NIH-style Biosketches of the PI and any named Co-Is.

Applications must be received via the online link below by Friday, December 5, 2025 (5 pm CST). Non-responsive applications will not be reviewed.

After the submission deadline passes, the UICentre and UICC will convene a panel of expert reviewers. For those proposals receiving favorable reviews, the PI(s) may be asked to answer follow-up questions or present to a reviewer panel before a funding decision is made.