Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Utilize microorganisms and their products for cancer imaging and therapy, investigating interactions with tumors and the immune system for innovative treatments.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
National Institutes of Health has archived this opportunity.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: February 16, 2025 (New) | March 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
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 exploratory, early-stage research using microorganisms or their products for cancer imaging, therapy, or diagnostics, focusing on mechanistic and preclinical studies.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; only basic and preclinical research in cell culture or animal models is supported.
Description
This funding opportunity, issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), supports exploratory/developmental (R21) research projects that utilize bacteria, archaebacteria, bacteriophages, or other non-oncolytic viruses and their natural products to investigate the mechanisms of interaction between microorganisms, tumors, and the immune system. The goal is to advance the understanding and preclinical development of microbial-based approaches for cancer imaging, therapy, and diagnostics.
Projects may focus on:
- Using microorganisms as anti-tumor agents or activators of anti-tumor immunity
- Employing microbes as delivery vehicles for cancer treatment, diagnosis, or imaging
- Developing microbial-based imaging or detection technologies
- Exploring microbial manipulation of the tumor microenvironment or immune response
The R21 mechanism is intended for early-stage, high-risk/high-reward projects that are at the conceptual or feasibility stage, aiming to demonstrate core functional capabilities. Only basic mechanistic and preclinical studies in cell culture and animal models are supported; clinical trials are not allowed.
