Metastasis Research Network (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
This grant funds multidisciplinary research centers to study the complex, system-level processes of cancer metastasis across all cancer types, aiming for a deeper, integrated understanding of how metastasis occurs and responds to therapies.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: May 15, 2026 | September 25, 2026
Funding Amounts: Estimated total program funding: $6,800,000; anticipated award ceiling: $1,300,000–$1,700,000 per award; up to 4 awards
Summary: Supports multidisciplinary research centers (U54) to advance systems-level understanding of cancer metastasis across all cancer types.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH, funds the establishment of U54 Specialized Centers as part of the Metastasis Research Network (MetNet). The goal is to foster integrative, multidisciplinary research that advances a comprehensive, systems-level understanding of cancer metastasis. Each funded center will pursue an overarching scientific theme through two or three interrelated basic research projects. Projects should use integrative, system-level approaches to unravel the complex, dynamic, and nonlinear mechanisms of metastasis. Research themes are expected to address the interplay of at least two central metastatic processes, such as early dissemination, microenvironmental crosstalk, dormancy, or therapeutic responses. All cancer types are eligible, including rare and pediatric cancers.
