Atom | Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI; R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Funding Amounts: Up to $475,000 direct costs per year, maximum 4 years per project (R01 mechanism).

Summary: Supports advanced pre-clinical research to translate nanotechnology-based cancer diagnostics and therapeutics toward clinical application.

Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; projects must focus on translational readiness and require strong preliminary data.

Description

This opportunity, offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH, funds advanced pre-clinical research to accelerate the translation of nanotechnology-based cancer interventions—such as nanoparticle formulations and nano-devices—toward clinical application. The program aims to mature experimental nanomedicines and diagnostics that demonstrate strong potential to improve cancer treatment or diagnosis effectiveness, due to innovative nanoparticle/nano-device design and/or the therapeutic or diagnostic cargo delivered.

Projects should address highly relevant cancer clinical objectives and unmet needs, with the expectation that successful outcomes will position the technology for further development through NCI’s Experimental Therapeutics (NExT) and other translational programs. Multidisciplinary teams, including clinical expertise, are strongly encouraged.

Due Dates

May 19, 2025
November 17, 2025
May 18, 2026
November 16, 2026
May 17, 2027
November 15, 2027

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

Funding Amount

Budget: Up to $475,000 in direct costs per year.
Project Period: Maximum of 4 years.
Number of Awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

Public and private institutions of higher education
Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
State, county, city, township, and special district governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal governments and organizations
Faith-based and community-based organizations
Regional organizations
U.S. territories and possessions
Eligible agencies of the federal government

Note:

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided each is scientifically distinct.

Application Process

Mechanism: R01 Research Project Grant (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
Instructions: Follow the NIH How to Apply - Application Guide and the specific requirements in the full funding announcement.
Key Requirements:
- Projects must be advanced pre-clinical (not discovery stage).
- Must include strong preliminary data, including efficacy in at least two animal models (for therapeutic/in vivo diagnostic projects) or human samples (for in vitro diagnostics).
- Milestones for each year are required.
- Data sharing via the caNanoLab portal is mandatory.
- Interaction with the NCI Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) is expected.
- Annual participation in the NCI nanotechnology investigators’ meeting is encouraged.

Additional Information

Non-responsive projects: Discovery-stage research, projects using only FDA-approved or currently trialed nanoparticles/nano-devices (unless for a new indication/approach), clinical trials, or projects using only unmodified natural materials are not supported.
Research Focus: Projects should target one or two rationally selected tumor types and may focus on combination therapy, immunotherapy, or imaging/diagnostics.
No cost sharing required.
Compliance: All NIH and HHS policies apply, including data management and sharing, and nondiscrimination requirements.

External Links

Contact Information

Topic	Contact Name/Office	Email/Phone
Scientific/Research	Piotr Grodzinski, Ph.D.	grodzinp@mail.nih.gov / 240-781-3305
	Yicong Wu, Ph.D.	yicong.wu@nih.gov / 240-276-5634
Peer Review	Mark G Caprara, Ph.D.	capraramg@mail.nih.gov / 301-827-3076
Grants Management	Shane Woodward	woodwars@mail.nih.gov / 240-276-6303
General Grants Info	NIH Grants Information	GrantsInfo@nih.gov / 301-480-7075
Application Support	eRA Service Desk	eRA Helpdesk / 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552
Grants.gov Support	Grants.gov Customer Support	support@grants.gov / 800-518-4726