Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 18 002
The Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research funding opportunity (RFA-CA-18-002) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) R21 announcement that supports exploratory, early-stage projects aimed at creating genuinely new molecular or cellular analysis technologies for cancer research. The core idea is to fund high-risk, high-innovation technology development that can open up new ways to target, probe, measure, or otherwise assess key molecular and cellular features of cancer biology. This is not a mechanism for incremental tool refinement or routine application of established methods; it is meant for concepts that introduce new capabilities and could reshape what researchers can measure or how they measure it.
The emphasis is on technology development that improves molecular and/or cellular characterization of cancer. Proposed technologies can be broad and potentially useful across many settings, but they must be clearly tied to cancer-relevant questions and demonstrate how the new capability would accelerate or strengthen research in at least one major cancer-related domain. Examples of impact areas highlighted by the announcement include basic cancer biology, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment and control, epidemiology, and work that directly addresses cancer health disparities. In practical terms, strong applications typically make a convincing case that current tools cannot capture a specific biological signal, cell state, spatial feature, rare event, or molecular interaction that matters in cancer, and that the proposed approach could close that gap.
This FOA sits within the broader NCI Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program, which is designed to move breakthrough measurement and analysis approaches into the hands of the cancer research community. Within that context, the R21 format signals that the work should be exploratory and developmental, with clear technical innovation and a pathway toward future maturation, rather than large-scale validation or deployment. Consistent with the title and rules, clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity, meaning the research should not be structured as a clinical trial even if it is motivated by clinical needs or uses clinical specimens for technology development and demonstration.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered by the Department of Health and Human Services through the NIH (NCI). It is a discretionary grant program in the health and education activity area (CFDA 93.394). The announcement listed an award ceiling of $200,000 and anticipated making about 17 awards. The FOA was created on November 20, 2017, with an original closing date of September 28, 2018.
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that commonly participate in NIH funding. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments as well as other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and additional entities as described in the announcement’s eligibility clarification text. This wide eligibility reflects the program’s focus on innovative technology development, which can originate in academic labs, research institutes, startups, established companies, or government-affiliated research environments.
Overall, the opportunity is best viewed as seed funding for bold, technically inventive measurement or analysis platforms that can reveal cancer biology in ways that are currently difficult or impossible, with a clear rationale for how that new capability could improve the pace or quality of cancer research and, ultimately, cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, or treatment strategies, including work relevant to reducing disparities.Apply for RFA CA 18 002
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R21 - 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): 93.394.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 20, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 28, 2018. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 17 candidate(s).
- 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research opportunity (RFA-CA-18-002)?
This is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunity that uses the NIH R21 mechanism to support exploratory, early-stage projects focused on creating genuinely new molecular or cellular analysis technologies for cancer research.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to fund high-risk, high-innovation technology development that could open new ways to target, probe, measure, or otherwise assess key molecular and cellular features of cancer biology. The focus is on new capabilities that could reshape what researchers can measure or how they measure it.
What kinds of projects are a strong fit for this FOA?
Strong projects typically propose a novel measurement or analysis approach that addresses a clear gap in current tools. Competitive concepts generally explain what cancer-relevant signal, cell state, spatial feature, rare event, or molecular interaction cannot be captured today, and how the proposed technology could close that gap.
Is this funding intended for incremental improvements to existing tools?
No. This opportunity is not meant for incremental tool refinement or routine application of established methods. It is intended for concepts that introduce new capabilities and enable new types of molecular or cellular characterization relevant to cancer.
What is the scientific emphasis of the work supported?
The emphasis is on technology development that improves molecular and/or cellular characterization of cancer, with a clear tie to cancer-relevant research questions and a rationale for how the new capability would accelerate or strengthen cancer research.
What cancer research areas can the proposed technologies impact?
The announcement highlights potential impact across major domains including basic cancer biology, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment and control, epidemiology, and work that directly addresses cancer health disparities.
Do proposed technologies need to be broadly applicable?
Proposed technologies can be broad and useful across many settings, but they must be clearly tied to cancer-relevant questions and show how the capability improves cancer-related research in at least one major domain.
How does this FOA relate to the NCI IMAT Program?
This FOA sits within the NCI Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program, which aims to move breakthrough measurement and analysis approaches into the hands of the cancer research community.
What does the R21 mechanism imply for the project scope?
The R21 format signals that the work should be exploratory and developmental, emphasizing clear technical innovation and a pathway toward future maturation rather than large-scale validation or deployment.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. Clinical trials are not allowed. The research should not be structured as a clinical trial, even if it is motivated by clinical needs or uses clinical specimens for technology development and demonstration.
Can a project use clinical specimens without being a clinical trial?
Yes. The opportunity notes that projects can be motivated by clinical needs or use clinical specimens for technology development and demonstration, as long as the research is not structured as a clinical trial.
What is the program classification or activity area for this grant?
It is a discretionary grant program in the health and education activity area and is listed under CFDA 93.394.
What is the award ceiling listed for this announcement?
The announcement listed an award ceiling of $200,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
About 17 awards were anticipated.
When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?
The FOA was created on November 20, 2017, and the original closing date was September 28, 2018.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that commonly participate in NIH funding, including various levels of government, eligible educational institutions, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations (with and without 501(c)(3) status, subject to the stated limitation), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other entities as described in the announcement’s eligibility clarification text.
Are state, county, city, or township governments eligible applicants?
Yes. State governments, county governments, and city or township governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are special district governments eligible?
Yes. Special district governments are included among the eligible applicant types.
Are educational institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations are included as eligible applicants.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories (as specified in the eligibility description provided).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
What type of work is this opportunity best viewed as supporting?
It is best viewed as seed funding for bold, technically inventive measurement or analysis platforms that can reveal cancer biology in ways that are currently difficult or impossible, with a clear rationale for how that capability could improve the pace or quality of cancer research and inform prevention, detection, diagnosis, or treatment strategies, including work relevant to reducing disparities.
Does the proposed technology need to connect to cancer health disparities?
Not necessarily, but the announcement explicitly includes work that directly addresses cancer health disparities as one of the highlighted impact areas.
What is a practical way to demonstrate fit with the FOA based on the description?
A practical approach is to articulate (1) a specific cancer-relevant measurement/analysis limitation of current tools, (2) what new capability the proposed technology introduces, and (3) how that capability would accelerate or strengthen research in a major cancer-related domain (such as basic biology, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, or disparities).
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|---|
| Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 18 003 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 003 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Innovative Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 18 004 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 004 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 18 005 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 005 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Fast-Track Development of Medications to Treat Cannabis Use Disorders (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 221 Funding Number: PAR 18 221 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (P01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 18 009 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 009 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (P50 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 18 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 010 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U54 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 18 008 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 008 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 18 007 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 007 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 18 006 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 006 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NIDA Translational Avant-Garde Award for Development of Medication to Treat Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 18 020 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 020 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Administrative Supplements to NCI Grant and Cooperative Agreement Awards to Support Collaborations with the PDX Development and Trial Centers Research Network (PDXNet)(Admin Suppl - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 496 Funding Number: PA 18 496 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Identification of Biomarkers of HIV-1 Pathogenesis and Substance Abuse Comorbidity (R01- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 18 023 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 023 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Apply for RUS 18 01 DLT Funding Number: RUS 18 01 DLT Agency: Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Administrative Supplements to NCI Grant and Cooperative Agreement Awards to Support Collaborations with the Drug Resistance and Sensitivity Network (DRSN)(Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 752 Funding Number: PAR 18 752 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 18 016 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 016 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Minority/Underserved Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 18 017 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 017 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Research Bases (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 18 015 Funding Number: RFA CA 18 015 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Approaches to Identify and Care for Individuals with Inherited Cancer Syndromes (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 19 017 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 017 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HIV/AIDS High Priority Drug Abuse Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 18 915 Funding Number: PAS 18 915 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fusion Oncoproteins in Childhood Cancers (FusOnC2) Consortium (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 016 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 016 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,600,000 |
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