Liver Cancer Collaborative Projects with the Liver Cirrhosis Network (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 23 023

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 23 023

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity (U01; clinical trial optional) to create new, liver cancer-focused collaborations with the existing National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)-funded Liver Cirrhosis Network (LCN). The central idea is to connect investigators who focus on liver cancer with clinicians and researchers already working within the LCN, so teams can jointly study hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the real-world context where it most often develops: cirrhosis. The program is specifically framed around improving understanding of how HCC arises from cirrhosis and how different underlying causes of cirrhosis (etiologic risks) influence cancer development, progression, early detection, and treatment.

This FOA is designed to fund multidisciplinary projects that are genuinely collaborative with one or more LCN members rather than stand-alone liver cancer studies. In practical terms, applicants are expected to build research plans that leverage the LCN environment and expertise to answer questions that would be difficult to address without a cirrhosis network partnership. The scientific scope is broad but clearly anchored in HCC arising in cirrhotic liver disease, including studies that clarify risk pathways and disease mechanisms, define trajectories of progression from cirrhosis to cancer, improve early diagnosis (for example, better surveillance approaches, biomarkers, imaging strategies, or risk stratification tools), and advance treatment strategies relevant to this patient population. Because the mechanism is a cooperative agreement, the intent is an active partnership style of research with NIH involvement typical of U01 awards, emphasizing coordination, shared goals, and network-level impact.

A defining feature of the program is the governance and community it creates: awardees funded by NCI become members of the Liver Cirrhosis Network-Liver Cancer Collaboratory (LCN-LCa) Committee. This committee structure is meant to keep projects aligned, encourage data and knowledge sharing, and ensure that the collaborations strengthen both the individual projects and the broader LCN mission. The FOA language also signals that the goal is to maximize the effectiveness of the overall network by catalyzing cross-cutting collaborations rather than creating isolated research silos.

Eligibility is intentionally wide and includes many organization types that can support biomedical research, such as state, county, and municipal governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement also highlights inclusion of institutions and organizations that serve specific communities, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, but non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations may participate, and foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary NIH funding program under CFDA 93.396, with the FOA titled "Liver Cancer Collaborative Projects with the Liver Cirrhosis Network (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)." The funding opportunity number is RFA-CA-23-023, it was created on 2023-03-30, and the original application closing date listed is 2023-06-02. The award ceiling listed is $200,000. Overall, the program is best understood as a way to rapidly expand liver cancer research capacity inside a cirrhosis-focused clinical and research network, with the expectation that team science and network coordination will produce more clinically meaningful insights into HCC prevention, detection, and management in patients with cirrhosis.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Liver Cancer Collaborative Projects with the Liver Cirrhosis Network (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-03-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-02. (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.
• 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 23 023

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