Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 20 021

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 021

This funding opportunity, RFA-CA-20-021, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) notice from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that supports revision applications to active, currently funded NCI R01 projects. The central idea is straightforward: if a research team already has an NCI R01 underway, they can request additional support to extend or strengthen that parent project by bringing in a novel technology that was developed with backing from NCI's Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program. The revisions are meant to do more than add a minor aim; they are intended to expand the original research questions or speed up the parent study's progress in a meaningful way by adopting a new technical approach or instrument coming out of IMAT-supported development.

A key purpose of the FOA is to push promising IMAT technologies from development into broader real-world use within the cancer research community. By funding these revisions, NCI is essentially encouraging independent validation and practical demonstration of emerging tools in the context of ongoing R01 science. This helps reduce the lag between technology innovation and widespread adoption, since investigators can show how a new platform, assay, workflow, or instrument performs when applied to live biological questions, real samples, and established study designs. In addition to accelerating the parent project's progress, these revisions can serve as a bridge that builds confidence in the technology, clarifies best-use scenarios, and exposes the method to new user communities.

The opportunity uses the R01 grant mechanism and is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning proposed work may include a clinical trial but does not have to. It is a discretionary grant program in the education and health activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.394. The listed award ceiling is $150,000, which signals that these revisions are designed to provide targeted incremental funds rather than fully re-scope the entire R01. The FOA was created on December 20, 2019, and the original closing date shown is September 29, 2020.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common NIH applicant types: state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding universities where applicable); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. (foreign) entities. This emphasis reflects NCI's interest in ensuring that a diverse range of institutions and communities can participate in validating and adopting IMAT-enabled tools.

In practical terms, a strong application under this FOA would clearly connect three things: the active parent R01 and its scientific aims, the specific IMAT-supported technology being introduced, and a well-justified plan showing how the new approach will either broaden the science or materially speed progress. Because the FOA is about accelerating adoption and independent validation, the proposed revision work should make it easy to understand what will be tested, what metrics will be used to evaluate performance or impact, and how the technology will be integrated into the existing R01 in a way that produces interpretable, field-relevant results.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-12-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-29. (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 $150,000.00 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 20 021

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