Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 25 172

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 172

The Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PA 25-172) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support research that strengthens the evidence base for preventing cancer, improving outcomes, and optimizing care at the population level. Its central aim is to back novel scientific ideas that can meaningfully move the field forward across cancer control and population sciences, including both methodological innovation and applied, real-world research that can influence practice, systems, and policy. The announcement explicitly allows (but does not require) clinical trials, meaning applicants can propose studies that include clinical trial elements when appropriate, while non-trial research is also fully responsive.

The scientific scope is broad and intentionally cross-cutting. NIH is seeking applications that could substantially advance cancer research in areas such as statistical and analytic methods (for example, new models, causal inference approaches, measurement strategies, or better methods for handling complex, multi-source datasets), epidemiology (including studies of risk factors, exposures, disparities, and population trends), and cancer survivorship (addressing long-term outcomes, late effects, quality of life, and survivorship care). The opportunity also highlights cancer-related behaviors and behavioral interventions, which can include prevention behaviors, screening behaviors, adherence, lifestyle factors, and behavior change strategies tailored to diverse populations. In addition, it emphasizes healthcare delivery research, reflecting interest in how care is organized, delivered, financed, and improved across settings, as well as implementation science focused on how proven interventions are adopted, scaled, and sustained in real-world systems. Digital health and data science are also central priorities, encouraging work that leverages technologies such as mobile health, telehealth, sensors, electronic health records, machine learning, or other computational approaches to improve cancer control and population health outcomes.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is expansive and includes many types of domestic organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, along with public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal eligibility includes Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized, as well as Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The NOFO also allows applications from public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The nonprofit sector is included broadly, covering both 501(c)(3) organizations and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). For-profit entities are also eligible (other than small businesses), and small businesses are eligible as well, along with an “Other” category that typically captures additional eligible organization types.

The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicant groups to encourage participation from a wide range of institutions and 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also notes eligibility for eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), and applicants located in a U.S. territory or possession. Taken together, this reflects an intent to support cancer control and population science research that is inclusive, community-relevant, and capable of addressing inequities across different populations and settings.

Administratively, this is an NIH grant under the R01 mechanism using a modular budget approach, which is commonly used for certain NIH applications to simplify budgeting requests (generally by requesting funds in modules rather than fully itemized categorical budgets, subject to NIH rules and the specific NOFO). The opportunity is tied to CFDA numbers 93.393 and 93.399, indicating alignment with NIH cancer-related assistance programs. The NOFO was created on 2024-11-07, and the listed original closing date is 2028-01-07, signaling a multi-year window during which the agency intends to accept applications on applicable receipt dates. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, which typically means applicants should consult the full NOFO in the NIH system for budget limits, standard due dates, review criteria, and any special submission requirements.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a flexible, investigator-initiated-style pathway for cancer control and population science projects that are both innovative and impactful. Competitive applications will usually make a strong case for significance to cancer prevention and control, methodological rigor, feasibility, and the potential to generate findings, tools, or approaches that can be translated into better population health, better care delivery, and more equitable cancer outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (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): 93.393, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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 PA 25 172

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