Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 25 253

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 253

The Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA-25-253) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant program designed to spark early-stage, high-potential ideas in cancer control research. It uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is meant for exploratory and developmental projects where investigators are testing novel concepts, piloting new approaches, or building initial evidence that could justify a larger, more definitive study later. The program is described as "clinical trial optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required to apply.

The main purpose of the FOA is to strengthen population-based cancer research by supporting innovative work that could meaningfully improve how cancer is prevented, detected, and managed at the population level. The scope is broad and includes research focused on modifying behaviors linked to cancer risk, improving or rethinking screening approaches, and advancing understanding of etiologic factors that contribute to cancer development. The announcement also emphasizes developing new ways to control cancer, which can include practical interventions, tools, or systems that reduce cancer incidence, improve early detection, or enhance outcomes across communities.

A key theme is novelty and early conceptual development. Rather than funding mature programs of research, this FOA is aimed at projects proposing new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could substantially move a field forward. The announcement explicitly welcomes ideas that could impact multiple domains of cancer research, including epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, health care delivery, and clinical areas. In practice, that means proposals might range from developing and testing new behavioral intervention strategies, to piloting innovative screening and outreach models, to creating methodological advances or analytic approaches that sharpen understanding of cancer causes or improve implementation of cancer control strategies in real-world settings.

Eligibility is intentionally expansive. Eligible applicants include many levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and a wide range of nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status). For-profit entities other than small businesses and small businesses are also eligible, as are public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized governments). The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant types, reflecting an interest in reaching diverse institutions and community-rooted organizations. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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 non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, this structure supports participation from traditional academic research centers as well as community and regionally focused organizations that may be positioned to address cancer control challenges in specific populations.

From a logistics standpoint, the opportunity is listed under CFDA numbers 93.393 and 93.399, with an original closing date of 2028-09-07 and a creation date of 2024-11-12. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided source information, so applicants would need to consult the full NIH announcement and related institute guidance for budget limits, project period expectations typical of R21 awards, and any institute-specific priorities or submission details. Overall, the FOA is best suited for applicants with a compelling, innovative cancer control idea that is still in an early stage but has a clear path to producing foundational results that could later be scaled or tested more definitively.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 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 2024-11-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-09-07.
• 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 25 253

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