Atom | Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

Funder: National Institutes of Health

Funding Amounts: Up to $275,000 direct costs over 2 years; no more than $200,000 in any single year; max project period 2 years.

Summary: Supports secondary analysis and integration of existing data to elucidate cancer risk and related outcomes; clinical trials are not allowed.

Key Information: No new data collection except up to 10% of budget for validation; foreign and domestic applicants eligible; limited to non-clinical trial research.

Description

This opportunity, offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other NIH institutes, funds exploratory/developmental (R21) projects that conduct secondary analysis and integration of existing datasets to advance understanding of cancer risk and related outcomes. The initiative aims to address key scientific questions in cancer research by leveraging and innovatively analyzing existing clinical, environmental, surveillance, health services, behavioral, lifestyle, genomic, and molecular data. Projects may propose new research aims, advanced analytical methods, or novel integration of datasets, but must not include clinical trials.

Due Dates

New Applications: June 16, 2025 | October 16, 2025 | February 16, 2026 | June 16, 2026
Renewal/Resubmission/Revision: July 16, 2025 | November 16, 2025 | March 16, 2026 | July 16, 2026
All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.
The opportunity expires September 8, 2026.

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.
Budget Note: Up to 10% of the budget may be used for new data generation, but only for validation of key findings.

Eligibility

Eligible Organizations:
- Higher education institutions (public, private)
- 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 (federally recognized and other)
- Faith-based and community-based organizations
- Regional organizations
- U.S. territories and possessions
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations)
- Eligible agencies of the federal government
Eligible Individuals: Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as PD/PI.
Multiple Applications: Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided each is scientifically distinct.

Application Process

Submission Systems: Applications must be submitted electronically via NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
Required Registrations: SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, and (for foreign organizations) NCAGE code.
Application Guide: Follow the NIH Research (R) Instructions and the How to Apply - Application Guide.
Key Attachments: Research Strategy, Data Management and Sharing Plan, Resource Sharing Plan, and (if applicable) Human Subjects/Vertebrate Animals sections.
Page Limits: As specified in the NIH Table of Page Limits.
Budget: Use the modular or detailed budget as appropriate; foreign organizations must use the R&R Budget Form.

Additional Information

Scope: Projects must focus on secondary analysis/integration of existing data relevant to cancer risk, prediction, prevention, survival, or treatment response.
Data Sources: Applicants are encouraged to use publicly available datasets (e.g., dbGaP, TCGA, SEER, UK Biobank, All of Us, etc.) or collaborate with data holders.
Non-Responsive Applications: Proposals that (a) collect/generate new data beyond limited validation, (b) analyze only non-human data, or (c) propose ongoing data analysis/maintenance are not responsive.
Data Sharing: Awardees are expected to broadly share cleaned/harmonized datasets, software, and analysis tools, consistent with participant consent.
Companion Opportunity: An R01 version (PAR-25-095) is available for larger-scale projects.

External Links

Contact Information

Contact Type	Name/Division/Institute	Email	Phone
Scientific/Research Contact	Melissa Rotunno, NCI (DCCPS)	rotunnom@mail.nih.gov	240-276-7245
Scientific/Research Contact	Jiayin (Jerry) Li, NCI (DCB)	jiayinli@mail.nih.gov	240-276-6210
Scientific/Research Contact	Miguel R. Ossandon, NCI (DCTD)	ossandom@mail.nih.gov	240-276-5714
Scientific/Research Contact	Wendy Wang, NCI (DCP)	wangw@mail.nih.gov	240-276-7117
Scientific/Research Contact	Max Guo, NIA	max.guo@nih.gov	301-402-7747
Scientific/Research Contact	Noffisat O. Oki, NIDCR	noffisat.oki@nih.gov	301-402-6778
Scientific/Research Contact	Erin Ramos, NHGRI	ramoser@mail.nih.gov	301-480-3288
Grants Info (General)	NIH Grants Information	GrantsInfo@nih.gov	301-480-7075
Grants.gov Support	Grants.gov Customer Support	support@grants.gov	800-518-4726

For additional contacts (peer review, financial/grants management), see the full announcement.