Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) Research Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 23 040

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 23 040

The Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) Research Centers funding opportunity (RFA-CA-23-040) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement (U01) that supports research teams working as part of the Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN). HTAN is a larger, coordinated effort focused on building detailed, three-dimensional (3D) and dynamic atlases of human cancers and the surrounding microenvironment, capturing how tissues change over time as disease progresses from early, pre-malignant states through advanced cancer. Within that broader network, PCA Research Centers are specifically meant to concentrate on precancer biology, with the goal of deeply characterizing pre-malignant lesions and understanding the biological transition points that lead to malignant transformation. This NOFO explicitly notes that clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism, meaning projects should be built around translational, mechanistic, and atlas-building research rather than interventional clinical trial designs.

Under this program, each funded PCA Research Center is expected to construct one comprehensive 3D precancer atlas. In practical terms, this means generating a richly mapped, multi-layered reference of a particular pre-malignant lesion type, integrating cellular composition, tissue morphology, molecular profiles, and spatial organization. The emphasis is not simply on describing a lesion at one moment in time, but on capturing features relevant to progression, including how the lesion and its microenvironment shift as it moves toward invasive cancer. The intended end product is a high-resolution, data-rich atlas that can be used to identify early determinants of malignancy, highlight key cellular interactions, and reveal molecular pathways or spatial patterns that may predict or drive progression.

The PCA Research Centers operate alongside two other major HTAN components: Human Tumor Atlas (HTA) Research Centers and a Data Coordinating Center (DCC). While PCA Centers focus on the pre-malignant stage and the transition to cancer, HTA Research Centers are described as developing spatial tumor atlases at single-cell resolution, driven by specific questions in cancer biology across the full continuum from initiation through metastasis. The DCC, in turn, serves as the organizing and data-focused backbone for the network, supporting harmonization, coordination, and broad utility of the datasets. The structure signals that awardees are not working in isolation; they are expected to function as part of a coordinated national network where interoperability, shared standards, and data sharing are central to the overall mission.

Eligibility for this opportunity is broad across U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicant types include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding those that are institutions of higher education where specified), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The NOFO also calls out a range of additional eligible applicant categories, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, though foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed, which typically means a U.S. applicant can include certain well-justified international elements as part of the overall project while remaining U.S.-led and compliant with NIH rules.

The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial NIH programmatic involvement compared with standard grants. That usually translates into expectations around active collaboration, adherence to network standards, data deposition and sharing practices, participation in consortium activities, and alignment with shared goals and milestones. The opportunity sits within NIH health-related funding activity categories and lists multiple CFDA numbers (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399), reflecting its placement within NIH cancer and related research funding structures. The funding listing notes an award ceiling of $800,000, indicating the maximum award amount anticipated per award under the program as presented in the source data.

Key administrative details included in the listing are an original closing date of December 5, 2023, and a creation date of October 3, 2023. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at building foundational, shareable, high-dimensional precancer reference atlases that the broader research community can use to better understand early cancer evolution, identify actionable biological transitions, and ultimately inform improved prevention, early detection, and interception strategies without running clinical trials under this specific funding mechanism.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) Research Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-10-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA CA 23 040

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