Daee_Session 2223_Evaluation of and Lessons Learned from the National Cancer Institute’s Up for A Challenge Innovation Prize

Abstract: Evaluation of and Lessons Learned from the National Cancer Institute’s Up for A Challenge Innovation Prize

In 2015, the Epidemiology and Genomic Research Program (EGRP) within the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) launched a Challenge to inspire novel cross-disciplinary approaches to more fully decipher the genomic basis of breast cancer. "Up For A Challenge (U4C) – Stimulating Innovation in Breast Cancer Genetic Epidemiology" challenged researchers to apply innovative approaches to publically available data sets to identify novel pathways—including new genes or combinations of genes, genetic variants, or sets of genomic features—involved in breast cancer. At the culmination of the challenge, fifteen entries were submitted for consideration and the top three submissions were awarded prizes. The overall challenge was evaluated for its success in recruiting multi-disciplinary teams, its stimulation of innovative uses of publically available data, the development of innovative methods, and the achievement of novel results.