Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing exploratory research projects focused on the inception and early-stage development of highly innovative technologies with new or improved capabilities for targeting, probing, or assessing molecular and cellular features of cancer biology or for handling or performing quality control of biospecimens for basic or clinical cancer research. This NOFO is meant to support highly innovative projects with high potential impact in a cancer-relevant field, even if they involve some level of risk of failure. Technologies proposed for development may have the potential for widespread applicability but for this program, projects must focus on improving cancer-relevant technical capabilities.

This NOFO utilizes the R61 award mechanism for exploratory/developmental projects. The R61 mechanism is suitable for projects that are at their inception, conceptual, or idea-based phase. In this phase, the technical feasibility of the proposed technology or methodology should not yet have been established. Preliminary data are not required but are accepted if available. If preliminary data are sufficient to suggest the feasibility of the approach is established, then consideration should be given to submitting to the companion R33 NOFO (RFA-CA-27-002).

Applications involving further improvements to an existing technology that has not yet been demonstrated for the proposed cancer-relevant application(s) are also within the scope of this NOFO but must involve significant additional technical modifications/development for the proposed cancer-relevant context of use, or some significant question of feasibility exists for achieving the proposed technical performance. A clear description of the feasibility risk for the proposed advancement of that technology must be included in the application to justify the use of the R61 mechanism. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Scientific/Research Contact below with any questions.

This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.

The IMAT Program

Since its inception in 1998, the IMAT Program has focused on stimulating and accelerating the development, validation, maturation, and dissemination of the most novel and highly innovative technologies in support of cancer research and medicine. Together with the NCI's other technology-focused programs, the IMAT program continues to support the development of tools and methods that enable cancer researchers to make new discoveries, enhance our understanding of cancer etiology and proliferation, improve detection capabilities, develop diagnostic methods and treatment strategies, conduct population-scale studies, and assist in clinical decision-making.

The current issuance of the IMAT Program consists of two separate NOFOs that cover the following two stages of development:

• RFA-CA-27-001 (this NOFO, R61): Early-stage mechanism. Supports feasibility studies (concept through preliminary development) to develop and demonstrate the core functional capabilities of the proposed technology.
• RFA-CA-27-002 (R33): Advanced stage of development. Supports improvements, optimization, and technical validation of the technology following completion of the proof-of-concept stage of development. 

Additional information about the IMAT Program and its individual NOFOs can be found on the IMAT website.