Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 23 006

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 23 006

This opportunity, RFA-CA-23-006, is a discretionary NIH grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that specifically invites revision applications to active, currently funded NCI R01 research projects. In other words, it is not a stand-alone new R01 for an unrelated idea; it is meant for investigators who already have an NCI R01 in progress and want to revise that funded project by adding a well-justified new component. The core aim is to expand the original research questions and/or speed up the parent project by incorporating a novel technical approach or instrument that was developed with support from the NCI Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program. The FOA is listed as "R01 Clinical Trial Optional," meaning the proposed revision may include a clinical trial component if it fits the science, but a clinical trial is not required.

The main purpose is technology acceleration and adoption. NCI is using this mechanism to encourage research teams to independently validate and more quickly integrate emerging IMAT-enabled technologies into real cancer research settings where they can make a measurable difference. The emphasis is on bringing in an IMAT-supported tool or method that can strengthen the rigor, throughput, sensitivity, specificity, scalability, or overall impact of the ongoing R01, rather than simply adding incremental work. Practically, the revision should make a clear case that the technology is new to the parent project, that it is appropriate for the project’s scientific goals, and that using it will meaningfully advance the study beyond what was originally proposed.

A second theme of the announcement is interdisciplinary collaboration. Because IMAT technologies often sit at the intersection of engineering, molecular measurement, computational methods, and cancer biology, the FOA signals NCI interest in teams that can bridge technical development with biological and clinical applications. The expectation is that this kind of cross-disciplinary work will help move promising tools out of early demonstration stages and into broader use by the cancer research community, shortening the time between technology invention and routine adoption.

Eligibility is broad and follows standard NIH patterns, with many institution types able to apply as long as they meet NIH requirements and, critically, have an eligible parent NCI R01 to revise. Eligible applicant organizations include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses, and a variety of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts, independent school districts). Tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized governments) are included, along with public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as 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), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), reflecting an intent to encourage broad participation where the scientific fit is strong.

The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed under education and health with CFDA number 93.394, which corresponds to NCI research support. The notice was created on 2022-12-02 and had an original closing date of 2023-09-01. The provided summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA for budget limits, allowable costs, and the number of anticipated awards, as those details often govern how extensive a revision can be.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as NCI offering an incentive for active R01 investigators to strengthen and accelerate their existing cancer research by bringing in an IMAT-backed technology and generating independent validation evidence in the context of a real, ongoing project. The intended outcome is faster uptake of promising new measurement and analysis technologies by the broader research community, improving the pace and quality of cancer discovery and, where relevant, translation.

• 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 2022-12-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 23 006

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