Atom | Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21 Clinical Trial 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; project period max 2 years.

Summary: Supports innovative basic research into biological/genetic causes of cancer health disparities, including mechanistic studies, new methodologies, and secondary data analyses.

Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; applications must focus on biological mechanisms underlying cancer health disparities and not solely on age or sex differences.

Description

This opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), funds exploratory and developmental (R21) research projects focused on the basic biological and genetic mechanisms underlying cancer health disparities. The program aims to support pilot and feasibility studies that investigate the biological contributors to disparities in cancer incidence, progression, and outcomes among different racial, ethnic, and underserved populations. Projects may include mechanistic studies, development and testing of new methodologies or models, and secondary data analyses. The initiative also seeks to build a nationwide cohort of scientists with expertise in cancer health disparities research and to expand resources and tools (e.g., biospecimens, patient-derived models) necessary for this field.

Due Dates

2025: June 16 (New) | July 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | October 16 (New) | November 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
2026: February 16 (New) | March 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | June 16 (New) | July 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | October 16 (New) | November 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
2027: February 16 (New) | March 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | June 16 (New) | July 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | October 16 (New) | November 16 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.
The opportunity expires November 17, 2027.

Funding Amount

Direct Costs: Up to $275,000 total for the 2-year project period.
Annual Limit: No more than $200,000 in direct costs in any single year.
Project Period: Maximum of 2 years.
Number of Awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations 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
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and foreign components of U.S. organizations

Note: Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to apply. There are no citizenship requirements for the PI, but applicant organizations must complete all required federal registrations.

Application Process

Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
Required Registrations: SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov, and (for foreign organizations) NCAGE code.
Application Guide: Follow the NIH Research (R) Instructions and the How to Apply - Application Guide.
Forms: Use SF424 (R&R) forms, including the PHS 398 Research Plan.
Page Limits: As specified in the NIH Table of Page Limits.
Data Management: All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan.
Appendix: Only limited materials allowed (see FOA and Application Guide).
Clinical Trials: Not allowed under this opportunity.

Additional Information

Scope: Projects must focus on the biological/genetic mechanisms underlying cancer health disparities, not solely on age or sex differences. Studies must incorporate race/ethnicity or other social determinants in relation to cancer biology.
Non-Responsive Applications: Projects that do not address cancer health disparities, focus only on age/sex disparities, or are solely behavioral/social/environmental without a biological mechanism will not be reviewed.
Companion Opportunity: An R01 version is available (PAR-25-243).
Review Criteria: Emphasis on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and the potential to expand resources and tools for cancer health disparities research.
Budget: Modular or detailed budget as appropriate; foreign organizations must use the R&R Budget Form.

External Links

Contact Information

Contact Type	Name/Title	Email	Phone
Scientific/Research Contact	Anu Sharman, Ph.D.	sharmananu@nih.gov	240-276-6250
Scientific/Research Contact	Christine Nadeau, Ph.D.	christine.nadeau@nih.gov	240-276-7491
Scientific/Research Contact	Tiffany Wallace, Ph.D.	tiffany.wallace@nih.gov	240-276-5114
Scientific/Research Contact	Asad Umar, D.V.M., Ph.D.	umara@mail.nih.gov	240-276-7070
Peer Review Contact	Amy Rubinstein, Ph.D.	rubinsteinal@mail.nih.gov	301-408-9754
Grants Management Contact	Shane Woodward	woodwars@mail.nih.gov	240-276-6303
General Grants Info	NIH Grants Information	grantsinfo@nih.gov	301-480-7075
eRA Service Desk	-	-	301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552
Grants.gov Support	-	support@grants.gov	800-518-4726

For additional details, see the full FOA contact section.