National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunities that may be of interest to University of Illinois Cancer Center members.
- Application Date: 04/04/2025; 10/03/2025
- Letter of Intent: 30 days prior to the application due date.
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing exploratory research projects focused on the early-stage development of highly innovative technologies offering novel molecular or cellular analysis capabilities for basic, clinical, or epidemiological cancer research. The emphasis of this NOFO is on supporting the development of novel capabilities involving a high degree of technical innovation for targeting, probing, or assessing molecular and cellular features of cancer biology. Well-suited applications must propose the development of technologies that offer the potential to accelerate and/or enhance research in the areas of cancer biology, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment, cancer control, epidemiology, and/or address issues associated with cancer health disparities. Technologies proposed for development may be intended to have widespread applicability but must be focused on improving molecular and/or cellular characterizations of cancer biology. Projects proposing the application of existing technologies where the novelty resides in the biological or clinical target/question being pursued are not responsive to this solicitation and will not be reviewed. This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.
- Application Date: 04/04/2025; 10/03/2025
- Letter of Intent: 30 days prior to the application due date.
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing exploratory research projects focused on the early-stage development of highly innovative technologies that improve the quality and handling of samples used for cancer research or clinical care. Through this NOFO, NCI will support the development of tools, devices, instrumentation, and associated methods for the collection, handling, processing, preservation, or storage of cancer-relevant biospecimens and their derivatives. This includes tools with new capabilities to preserve or protect sample integrity, establish verification criteria for quality assessment/quality control, and address issues related to pre-analytical degradation of targeted analytes. The overall goal is to support the development of highly innovative technologies capable of maximizing or interrogating the quality and utility of biological samples used for downstream analyses. These technologies are expected to accelerate and/or enhance research in cancer biology, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, and/or address issues associated with cancer health disparities. Projects proposing the application of existing technologies where the novelty resides in the biological or clinical target/question being pursued rather than the technical innovation are not responsive to this solicitation and will not be reviewed. This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.
Innovative Research in Cancer Nanotechnology (IRCN; R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Application Date: 05/05/2025; 11/03/2025; 05/04/2026
- Letter of Intent: Not applicable
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) entitled “Innovative Research in Cancer Nanotechnology (IRCN)”, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages applications promoting transformative discoveries in cancer biology and/or oncology through the use of nanotechnology. Proposed projects should address overcoming major barriers in cancer biology and/or oncology using nanotechnology and should focus on mechanistic studies to expand the fundamental understanding of nanomaterial and/or nano-device interactions with biological systems. These studies are expected to be relevant to the delivery of nanoparticles and/or nano-devices to desired and intended cancer targets in vivo and/or characterization of detection and diagnostic devices and sensors in vitro. IRCN awards are expected to produce fundamental knowledge to aid future and more informed development of nanotechnology-based cancer interventions. The clinical translation of these interventions is outside of scope of this NOFO.
Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI; R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Application Date: Several listed, see opportunities listed at site.
- Letter of Intent: 05/19/2025; 11/17/2025
- Purpose: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), entitled “Toward Translation of Cancer Nanotechnology Interventions (TTNCI)” is designed to enable the translation of nanotechnology-based cancer interventions relying on nanoparticle formulations and/or nano-devices. Through the TTNCI initiative, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages applications for advanced pre-clinical research, supporting translation of nanotechnology-based cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. TTNCI awards are expected to mature experimental nanomedicines designed for highly relevant cancer clinical objectives with a strong potential to improve cancer treatment effectiveness. It is expected that improvement of treatment effectiveness will occur due to the combination of nanoparticle/nano-device structural design and/or therapeutic/diagnostic cargo which is delivered. TTNCI awards are expected to enable further development of proposed nanotechnology-based interventions to the stage in which they could continue on a developmental path towards the NCI Experimental Therapeutics (NExT) and other NCI translational programs.
- Application Dates: 05/25/25
- Optional Letter of Intent: Due 30 days before the application due date
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NCI invites applications for P50 Research Center Grants for Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE). Based on the research proposed, applications may be jointly funded with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). The program will fund P50 SPORE grants to support state-of-the-art investigator-initiated translational research that will contribute to improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of an organ-specific cancer or a related group of cancers. For this NOFO a group of highly related cancers are those that are derived from the same organ system, such as gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine, head and neck, and other cancers. Other programmatically appropriate groups of cancers may include those centered around a common biological mechanism critical for promoting tumorigenesis and/or cancer progression in organ sites that belong to different organ systems. For example, a SPORE may focus on cancers caused by the same infectious agent or cancers sustained and promoted by the dysregulation of a common signaling pathway. In addition, a SPORE may focus on cross-cutting themes such as pediatric cancers or cancer health disparities. The research supported through this program must be translational and must stem from research on human biology using cellular, molecular, structural, biochemical, and/or genetic experimental approaches. SPORE projects must have the goal of reaching a translational human endpoint within the project period of the grant.
- Application Date: 06/04/2025; 09/10/2025; 02/04/2026
- Letter of Intent: Due 30 days prior to the application due date
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to support extramural research to investigate and mitigate challenges in clinical assay development and subsequent analytical validation due to preanalytical variability in tumor tissue biopsies, blood biospecimens utilized as “liquid biopsies”, or other biospecimens as described in this NOFO. Extramural research funded under this NOFO may include investigations of preanalytical variability associated with the procurement and study of small biopsies (core biopsies, small excision samples), blood utilized for “liquid biopsies”, tissue swabs, tissue secretions, pleural and esophageal aspirates, feces, or bodily fluids like sweat, urine, CSF, breast milk and saliva. Investigator-designed experiments will explore how different biospecimen preanalytical conditions affect emerging and clinically relevant biomarkers quantified by a variety of testing platforms. The results from this research program will improve the understanding of how analytical quantification of clinically relevant biomarkers is affected by variation in biospecimen collection, processing, and storage procedures. The overall goal is to expedite biomarker clinical assay development through evidence-based standardization of biopsy handling practices.
Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk with Use of Incretin Mimetics (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Application Date: 06/05/2025; 10/05/2025; 02/05/2026
- Letter of Intent: 30 days prior to application due date.
- Purpose: Through this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for investigator-initiated studies addressing mechanisms by which incretin mimetics, specifically glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 or dual GLP-1/ glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypepide (GIP)-1 receptor agonists (RAs), impact cancer risk. The focus on these agents is due to their reported effects on thyroid, prostate and other cancer risks, and the generally more favorable efficacy and side effect profile compared to other classes of incretin mimetics. In addition, this NOFO seeks to draw in talented scientists to the cancer biology field who may study incretin mimetic effects on diseases other than cancer. Investigators wishing to study incretin mimetics other than GLP-1 RAs or GLP-1/GIP-1 RAs, such as dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors, must justify why the agent(s) they propose to study are more effective and/or have a more favorable side effect profile than GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP-1 RAs. Route of agent administration (oral vs. other) is, by itself, not an adequate justification.
- Application Date: 06/05/2025; 10/05/205; 02/05/2026
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) along with other participating Institutes encourages submission of applications proposing to conduct secondary data analysis and integration of existing datasets and database resources, with the ultimate aim to elucidate cancer risk and related outcomes (e.g., risk prediction or reduction, survival, or response to treatment, etc.). The goal of this initiative is to address key scientific questions relevant to cancer by supporting the analysis of existing clinical, environmental, surveillance, health services, vital statistics, behavioral, lifestyle, genomic, and molecular profiles data. Applicants are encouraged to leverage and perform innovative analyses of the existing data. Applications may include new research aims that are being addressed with existing data, new or advanced methods of analyses, or novel combinations and integration of datasets that allow the exploration of important scientific questions in cancer research.
Population Approaches to Reducing Alcohol-Related Cancer Risk (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Application Date: 06/05/2025; 10/05/205; 02/05/2026
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to support research on interdisciplinary population approaches to increasing awareness of the relationship between alcohol and cancer risk, understanding and changing social norms related to alcohol consumption, developing and/or evaluating alcohol policy approaches, and the development, testing, and implementation of population-level interventions to reduce alcohol-related cancer risk. Applications that address multiple levels of consumption, such as moderate and heavy drinking, are of particular interest, as well as those focusing on alcohol use disorder (AUD) from the perspective of cancer prevention and control. Proposals addressing understudied areas are encouraged, as is attention to underrepresented minority (URM) populations experiencing cancer and alcohol-related disparities such as American Indian, Alaskan Native, and sexual and gender minority populations.
Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Application Date: 06/05/2025; 10/05/2025; 02/05/2026
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages grant applications from investigators interested in conducting basic, mechanistic research into the biological/genetic causes of cancer health disparities. These research project grants (R01) will support innovative studies designed to investigate biological/genetic contributors of cancer health disparities, such as (1) mechanistic studies of biological factors associated with cancer health disparities, including those related to basic research in cancer biology or cancer prevention strategies, (2) the development and testing of new methodologies and models, and (3) secondary data analyses. This NOFO is also designed to aid and facilitate the growth of a nationwide cohort of scientists with a high level of basic research expertise in cancer health disparities research who can expand available resources and tools, such as biospecimens, patient derived models, and methods that are necessary to conduct basic research in cancer health disparities.
Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Application Date: 06/05/2025; 10/05/2025; 02/05/2026
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) encourages applications for research in cancer control and population sciences. The overarching goal is to provide support to promote research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance cancer research in statistical and analytic methods, epidemiology, cancer survivorship, cancer-related behaviors and behavioral interventions, health care delivery, digital health and data science, and implementation science.
Understanding Expectancies in Cancer Symptom Management (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
- Application Date: 06/05/2025; 10/05/2025
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will solicit mechanistic research that aims to understand how and why expectancy effects occur in a cancer context, elucidate their role in cancer symptom management, and identify patients, symptoms, cancer sites, and contexts in which expectancy effects can be leveraged to improve cancer outcomes. Expectancies are defined in this context as beliefs about future outcomes, including one’s response to cancer or cancer treatment. Expectancies can be evoked by social, psychological, environmental, and systemic factors. Expectancy effects are the cognitive, behavioral, and biological outcomes caused by expectancies. Expectancy effects can be generated by expectancies held by patients, clinicians, family members, caregivers, and/or dyadic/social networks. Program is particularly interested in applications that enroll individuals and groups from populations historically underrepresented or excluded from biomedical and behavioral research.
- Application Date: 06/05/2025
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is intended to encourage research projects in three distinct domains related to cancer communication: 1) utility and application of new cancer communication surveillance approaches, 2) development and testing of larger-scale interventions using innovative methods and designs, and 3) development and testing of multilevel cancer communication models emphasizing bidirectional influence between levels. Applications should apply one or more innovative methodologies (including, but not limited to, social media data mining, Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, online social network analysis, mixed methods approaches, crowdsourcing research tools, online search data, Ecological Momentary Assessment, testing of mobile and digital technologies to facilitate communication and health engagement, neuroscience and biobehavioral approaches to communication, artificial intelligence, visual data analysis, and geographic information systems) across the cancer control continuum, from prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, to end of life. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, effectively communicating cancer risks; affecting positive behavior change relevant to cancer prevention and control (e.g., tobacco use, diet, physical activity, cancer screening, alcohol consumption, sun protection); enabling patient-centered cancer care and effective navigation of the healthcare system; offering informational, social, and psychological support in cancer care as well as in decision-making about cancer screening and treatment; and maximizing quality of life for survivors and their caregivers, including the utilization of palliative care. Multilevel approaches are encouraged. Intervention studies should consider applicability across multiple contexts (e.g., health systems, family- or community-based settings, or virtual/online communities). Studies should assess outcomes related to cancer prevention and control (e.g., knowledge; attitudes; beliefs; health/science literacy; trust; perceived risk; decision making in vaccination, screening and treatment; information inequalities; social support; shared decision making; persuasion; caregiving; behavioral intentions; preventive behaviors; and policy support, among others).
Cancer Prevention and Control Clinical Trials Grant Program (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
- Application Date: 06/05/25; 10/05/25
- Letter of Intent: Due 30 days prior to application
- Purpose: Through this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), the NCI invites applications for support of investigator-initiated clinical trials related to the programmatic interests of the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention and/or the NCI Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences that have the potential to reduce the burden of cancer through improvements in early detection, screening, prevention and interception, healthcare delivery, quality of life, and/or survivorship related to cancer; with such attributes, the proposed studies should also have the potential to improve clinical practice and/or public health. Applications submitted to this NOFO must include studies that meet the National Institutes of Health (NIH) definition of a clinical trial (see NOT-OD-15-015 for details) and provide specific clinical trial information as described in this NOFO and the application instructions. This NOFO does not and will not support clinical trials for studies of cancer diagnosis and/or oncologic therapy in patients.
Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Application Date: 06/05/25; 10/05/25
- Letter of Intent: Due 30 days prior to the application due date
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NCI invites applications for support of investigator-initiated studies addressing mechanisms by which bariatric surgery impacts cancer risk and seeks to draw in talented scientists who study bariatric surgery to investigate its effects on cancer, rather than shorter term outcomes such as weight loss and diabetes.
- Application Date: 06/10/2025; 10/10/2025
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NCI encourages the submission of applications that propose to advance research in cancer etiology and early detection biomarkers, utilizing the advantages of the unique biorepository resources of the NCI-sponsored Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer (PLCO) Screening Trial. The PLCO Biorepository offers high-quality, prospectively collected, serial pre-diagnostic blood samples from the PLCO screened arm participants, and buccal cells from both the screened and the control arm participants. Available data associated with the biospecimens includes demographic, diet, lifestyle, smoking, screening results, and other clinical data. This NOFO supports a wide range of cancer research including, but not limited to, biochemical and genetic analyses of cancer risk, as well as discovery and validation of early detection biomarkers. The proposed research project must involve use of PLCO biospecimens and may include other resources; additionally, it should also take advantage of the unique characteristics of the PLCO biospecimens. Research on non-cancer outcomes, especially those related to aging (e.g., Alzheimer’s, depression, hip fracture, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis) may also be supported. Research projects that do not involve the use of PLCO biospecimens will not be supported under this NOFO.
- Application Date: 06/11/25; 10/15/25
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NCI intends to accelerate the adoption and validation of molecular/cellular/imaging markers (referred to as “markers” or “biomarkers”) and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and prediction of response or resistance to treatment, as well as markers for cancer prevention and control. This NOFO will also support the validation of pharmacodynamic markers and markers of toxicity. Applicants to this NOFO must have an assay(s) whose performance has been analytically validated in specimens similar to those for the intended clinical use of the marker(s) and assay(s). As chemotherapies and/or radiation therapies are increasingly combined with immunotherapies to enhance the durability of anti-cancer responses, assays for measuring multiple markers, including immune markers, can be developed and validated simultaneously.
NCI Clinical and Translational Exploratory/Developmental Studies (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Application Date: 06/12/205
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to support preclinical and early phase clinical research, as well as correlative studies, directly related to advancements in cancer treatment, diagnosis, prevention, comparative oncology, symptom management, or reduction of cancer disparities. This includes (but is not limited to) development and testing of the following: new molecular agents or biologics for cancer treatment; management strategies for cancer-related symptoms or treatment-related toxicity; cancer screening or diagnostic tools, such as imaging techniques; cancer preventive agents or approaches; predictive and prognostic biomarkers for patient selection or stratification; clinically relevant in vivo or in vitro tumor models (including genetically engineered mouse models, patient-derived xenograft models, organoids, and cell lines); and strategies to address therapeutic outcome disparities among underserved populations. In addition to novel agents, new treatment strategies may involve repurposed agents or novel combinations of interventions (including radiation), based on established mechanisms of action. Comparative correlative studies in cancer patients with age, gender, racial/ethnic, or health disparities are encouraged to explore mechanisms underlying their differential responses (efficacy and toxicity) and resistance to therapeutic interventions. Comparative oncology studies in dogs investigating strategies for treatment and diagnosis of human disease are supported as well.
This NOFO does not support research that focuses on basic cancer biology (such as studies of cancer-related pathways, molecular mechanisms, or mechanisms of metastasis), late-stage clinical trials, risk assessment studies, epidemiological studies, or studies of behavioral interventions. These applications will be deemed not responsive to this NOFO and will not be reviewed (see below for a more detailed description of studies that are not responsive for this NOFO)
Pragmatic Trials across the Cancer Control Continuum (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
- Application Date: 06/14/25; 10/17/25
- Letter of Intent: Due 30 days prior to application
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to accelerate the development of evidence-based cancer-related interventions that reflect the diversity of people, places, contexts, and settings in the United States. Specifically, this NOFO will support research that tests the impact of cancer-related interventions on cancer-related outcomes across the cancer control continuum using a pragmatic trial study design. This NOFO will use the UG3/UH3 phased cooperative agreement mechanism. The UG3 phase will support refining the cancer-related intervention and finalizing study-related activities in preparation for conducting the pragmatic trial during the UH3 phase.
Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
- Application Date: 06/16/2025; 10/16/2025; 02/16/2026
- Letter of Intent: Not applicable.
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages the submission of exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) applications that focus on different aspects of cancer control by modifying behavior, screening, and understanding etiologic factors contributing to the development of cancer, and developing ways to control cancer. The overarching goal is to provide support to promote the early and conceptual stages of research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance population-based cancer research, such as the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of cancer research (e.g. epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, health care delivery or clinical).
- Application Date: 06/16/2025
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: Same description as R01
Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk with Use of Incretin Mimetics (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Application Date: 06/16/25; 10/16/25
- Letter of Intent: Due 30 days prior to application
- Purpose: Through this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for investigator-initiated studies addressing mechanisms by which incretin mimetics, specifically glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 or dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)-1 receptor agonists (RAs), impact cancer risk. The focus on these agents is due to their reported effects on thyroid, prostate and other cancer risks, and the generally more favorable efficacy and side effect profile compared to other classes of incretin mimetics. In addition, this NOFO seeks to draw in talented scientists to the cancer biology field who may study incretin mimetic effects on diseases other than cancer.
The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Application Date: 06/20/25
- Letter of Intent: 30 days prior to application due date
- Purpose: The NCI Metastasis Research Network (MetNet) is a collection of U54 Research Centers that support using systems-level approaches to understand pressing questions in metastasis. The overall goal of the MetNet is to advance our understanding of metastasis as a whole body, systems-level problem to develop a comprehensive and cohesive picture of the processes involved. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NCI invites applications for MetNet Research Projects. These Research Projects should be defined as discrete entities that use systems-level approaches to address gaps and opportunities in metastasis research to integrate into the MetNet and complement ongoing research across the Network.
- Application Date: Several listed, beginning 10/05/2024; see opportunities and dates listed at site
- Letter of Intent: See specific opportunities listed at site.
- Purpose: NCI encourages applications that pursue innovative approaches to identifying, understanding, and developing strategies for overcoming barriers to the adoption, adaptation, integration, scale-up, and sustainability of evidence-based interventions, tools, policies, and guidelines in low-resource settings. The research projects on which these applications will be based should be focused on dissemination and implementation research for the primary and secondary prevention of cancer in LMICs and/or in populations facing conditions of vulnerability in HICs. The projects described in grant applications must be built on evidence-based interventions (including cost-effectiveness) for the respective population groups under defined contextual circumstances. For promising interventions, a limited validation period can be envisaged. However, the core of the research activities should focus on their implementation in real-life settings.
NCI is interested in proposed studies to adapt and scale-up the implementation of these interventions in accessible, affordable, and equitable ways in order to improve the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer in real-life settings. Interventions should meet conditions and requirements of the local health and social system context and address any other contextual factors identified as possible barriers.
- Application Date: 10/17/2025
- Letter of Intent: Due 30 days prior to the application due date
- Purpose: Through this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) as a request for applications (RFA), the NCI intends to support multi-level intervention studies that address individual and system level barriers to transition from pediatric to adult care for survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers. The goal of this opportunity is to support the development and testing of interventions and strategies that promote high-quality transitional care and continued engagement of survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers to ensure these survivors receive appropriate surveillance and care into adulthood. Overall, it is anticipated that this research will provide critical evidence for establishing best practices and standards of care that can be widely disseminated and adopted.
- Application Date: 10/23/25
- Letter of Intent: NA
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the NCI requests applications that propose mechanistic investigations of the links between diet, lipid metabolism and tumor growth and progression. It is anticipated that this program will support fundamental studies designed to identify and define the molecular mechanisms through which lipid metabolism mediates tumor growth and progression, focusing specifically on the central role lipids play in linking diet with the biology of cancer; bridge the historically divided fields of nutrition and molecular metabolism; and stimulate research and tool development in this emerging area, which faces particular challenges because of the complexity of lipid biochemistry. For this announcement, unpublished preliminary data are limited to one figure, comprising no more than one-half page, to facilitate the entry of qualified new investigators to the field.
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Exploratory Cancer Immunology Projects and Technologies (ExCITe)
- Application Date: Through November 17, 2026
- Letter of Intent: See opportunities listed at site
- Purpose: Through this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) on Exploratory Cancer Immunology Projects and Technologies (ExCITe), the National Cancer Institute intends to encourage R21 applications proposing innovative high-risk/high-reward research projects, that test novel hypotheses or develop novel technologies, to advance our understanding of cancer immunology. Research projects should focus on fundamental areas of cancer immunology, including innate and adaptive immune responses, tumor-immune ecosystems and their dynamic interactions, the immune response to metastases, systemic immune networks, immunosurveillance, tumor immune evasion, or immunomodulation. Projects should be distinct in scope and focus from those supported through the traditional R01 mechanism. ExCITe studies may involve considerable risk but have the potential to lead to research breakthroughs or the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact in cancer immunology and cancer immunotherapy research.
Application Dates: Dates through 2026
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research on Rare Cancers Across the Cancer Control Continuum
- Application Date: Several listed, see opportunities listed at site.
- Letter of Intent: See opportunities listed at site.
- Purpose: This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) highlights the interest of the NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) in receiving observational and intervention research applications focused on rare cancers that fit within the mission of DCCPS. The mission of DCCPS is to advance research in cancer control and population sciences to eliminate cancer and its consequences for all. The NCI defines a rare cancer as one having an age-adjusted incidence of fewer than 15 cases per 100,000 per year. Despite their rarity, these cancers collectively account for approximately 25% of all new cases of adult cancers each year and all pediatric cancers in the United States. This purpose of this NOSI is to stimulate observational and intervention research focused on rare cancers that is within the mission of DCCPS.
NOSI: Communication and Decision-Making in a Complex and Dynamic Cancer Treatment
- Application Date: Several listed, see opportunities listed at site.
- Letter of Intent: See opportunities listed at site.
- Purpose: The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to encourage applications focused on understanding and improving cancer treatment communication and decision-making processes, including informed, shared, and goal-concordant treatment decision-making, in a complex and dynamic cancer treatment context. Cancer treatment decision-making requires that patients, caregivers, and clinicians work together to make treatment decisions that are informed by available clinical evidence and aligned with patients’ values and preferences. Effective treatment communication and decision-making are associated with improved treatment- and health-related outcomes including treatment adherence, symptom management and quality of life. They are also essential to achieving ethical and equitable cancer care as members of many populations experiencing health disparities (e.g., African Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals) are more likely to experience poorer quality patient-clinician communication, which has downstream effects on health outcomes. Approaches designed to reduce cancer disparities and improve equitable health outcomes are strongly encouraged.
- Application Date: Several listed, see opportunities listed at site.
- Letter of Intent: See opportunities listed at site.
- Purpose: This purpose of this NOSI is to stimulate research that identifies effective strategies for improving interprofessional teamwork and addresses care coordination challenges within care settings and between care settings (e.g., between tertiary care and community settings or home-based care) or during care transitions (e.g., inpatient to outpatient care or home-based care).
NOSI: Survivorship Research for People Living with Advanced and Metastatic Cancers
- Application Date: Several listed, see opportunities listed at site.
- Letter of Intent: See opportunities listed at site.
- Purpose: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is interested in applications proposing observational or intervention studies focused on survivorship for people living with advanced and metastatic cancers.
Other funding opportunities and resources to search for funding are available on our website.