Tier 1: Define need awards

Tier 1 grants offer initial funding to applicants to identify the most pressing cancer needs in their community through local data collection and analysis and/or coalition building.

Goal: The completion of a Tier one project should result in a defined set of cancer-related priorities and an action plan detailing strategies for addressing the pressing cancer issue(s) in their community.

Project examples:

• Conduct a community cancer needs assessment. These projects should do one or more of the following:
  • Collect and assess baseline data on the selected local cancer issue.
  • Assess how a specific cancer topic(s) impacts an Oregon community.
  • Analyze local data to define strengths, gaps, needs and opportunities specific to the cancer need and/or target population.
• Establish or expand the focus of an existing coalition to gain consensus on how best to address a local cancer issue. These projects should aim to do one or more of the following:
  • Build stakeholder and community capacity to prioritize local cancer needs
  • Establish local commitment to collectively act on a specific cancer topic.
  • Engage key stakeholders, including those individuals most affected by the issue(s), in cancer prevention and control planning efforts.
• Other data collection and/or needs prioritization effort using an established model or framework.

No previous experience in cancer or community research is necessary for a Tier 1 application.

Tier 2: Develop and pilot awards

Tier 2 grants invest in the development and preliminary testing of a small-scale pilot project to address data-informed local cancer issue.

Goal: The completion of a Tier 2 project should result in preliminary data demonstrating the feasibility and/or acceptability of a selected approach or activity to improve a cancer-related outcome in a specific community. 

Project examples:

Pilot test the feasibility and/or acceptability of a new cancer-related resource or an evidence-based approach. Tier 2 projects may A) select and /or adapt an evidence-based approach or B) develop a new, innovative approach to improve a specific cancer outcome.

Tier 2 proposals should include a pilot project that collects data on both factors that help projects to succeed and those that are barriers to implementation. Tier 2 proposals should provide preliminary outcome data that can be used to support a Tier 3 application.

Who should apply? Organizations that:

• Have defined the local cancer needs based on either a previous Tier 1 grant or other community needs assessment.
• Are committed to determining how appropriate a proposed approach is for addressing an identified need.
• Are ready to develop the structure or framework to increase local capacity for a larger program implementation.

Tier 3: Evaluate and sustain awards

Tier 3 grants should aim to evaluate the outcomes and potential impact of a previously piloted program through implementation of a project or activity on a larger scale and establish plans for sustainability.

Goal: Tier 3 projects should result in data that demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach in addressing a selected cancer issue in a specific community. The data should help to support the likelihood for the program/project to be sustained beyond the funding period through new funding, organizational support, and/or integration with a larger effort.

Project examples:

Evaluate an approach with demonstrated feasibility/acceptability and establish strategies for sustainability, through implementation of one of the following:

• An evidence-based intervention adapted for the target community
• A previously pilot tested project or program. 

Tier 3 projects are expected to implement in a sample large enough to determine impact of the selected approach in addressing a cancer-related issue. They also should include a plan to support short and long term sustainability of efforts.

Who should apply? Organizations that:

• Have completed pilot testing of a program or approach to demonstrate its feasibility and/or acceptability to address a local cancer related need.
• Are prepared to implement the adapted approach, collect data, and conduct analyses on a large enough scale to determine effectiveness.
• Have demonstrated capacity and support to establish strategies and partnerships to enhance sustainability.