Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 16, 2025 (New) | July 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | September 7, 2025 (AIDS) | October 16, 2025 (New) | November 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | January 7, 2026 (AIDS) | ...through September 7, 2028
Funding Amounts: Up to $275,000 direct costs over 2 years; no more than $200,000 in any single year; project period max 2 years.
Summary: Supports early-stage, innovative research to advance cancer control through behavioral, screening, etiologic, and population-based studies.
Key Information: R21 mechanism; clinical trials are optional; preliminary data not required; foreign organizations eligible.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH, supports exploratory/developmental (R21) research projects focused on cancer control. The program aims to foster the early and conceptual stages of research on novel scientific ideas that could substantially advance population-based cancer research. Projects may address behavioral modification, screening, understanding etiologic factors, and developing new methods or models for cancer control. The overarching goal is to reduce cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and to improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
Research supported may include, but is not limited to:
- Development and validation of new methods, technologies, or tools in surveillance, epidemiology, health care delivery, and behavioral sciences.
- Identification of modifiable risk or host susceptibility factors for cancer etiology, prevention, and treatment outcomes.
- Clinical and translational science to reduce cancer risk and improve survivorship.
- Cross-cutting themes such as geospatial approaches, early risk factors, and health disparities.
Note: This opportunity is not intended for basic cancer biology, development of cancer therapies, or diagnostics.
Due Dates
- New Applications: June 16, 2025 | October 16, 2025 | June 16, 2026 | October 16, 2026 | June 16, 2027 | October 16, 2027 | February 16, 2028 | June 16, 2028
- Renewal/Resubmission/Revision: July 16, 2025 | November 16, 2025 | July 16, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | July 16, 2027 | November 16, 2027 | March 16, 2028 | July 16, 2028
- AIDS-related Applications: September 7, 2025 | January 7, 2026 | September 7, 2026 | January 7, 2027 | September 7, 2027 | January 7, 2028 | May 7, 2028 | September 7, 2028
All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. See the NIH standard due dates for more details.
Funding Amount
- Direct Costs: Up to $275,000 over a two-year project period.
- Annual Limit: No more than $200,000 in direct costs in any single year.
- Project Duration: Maximum of 2 years.
- Number of Awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Public/State 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
- Native American tribal governments and organizations (federally recognized and other)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Faith-based and community-based organizations
- Regional organizations
- U.S. territories and possessions
- Eligible agencies of the federal government
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations)
Individuals: Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as PD/PI may apply.
Multiple applications: Allowed if each is scientifically distinct.
Application Process
- Mechanism: R21 Exploratory/Developmental Grant; clinical trial optional.
- Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST.
- Required Registrations: SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons (for both institution and PD/PI).
- Application Guide: Follow the NIH Research (R) Instructions and the funding announcement.
- Budget: Use the R&R Budget Form (foreign organizations must use detailed budget).
- Data Management: All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan.
- Human Subjects/Clinical Trials: Complete the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form if applicable.
Additional Information
- Preliminary Data: Not required; applications with extensive preliminary data may be considered outside the scope.
- Scope: High-risk, high-reward, early-stage, and innovative projects are encouraged.
- Non-responsive Applications: Basic cancer biology, development of cancer therapies/diagnostics, and in vivo/in vitro tumor model development for basic mechanisms are not supported.
- Review Criteria: Emphasis on innovation, conceptual framework, and potential for significant impact.
- Foreign Organizations: Eligible and encouraged to apply; must follow NIH policies for foreign applicants.
External Links
Contact Information