[National Institutes of Health](https://www.nih.gov)

April 4, 2025 | October 3, 2025

Up to $300,000 direct costs per year, for up to 3 years (R33 mechanism); ~10 awards anticipated

Supports advanced development and validation of novel molecular and cellular analysis technologies to accelerate basic and clinical cancer research.

Clinical trials are not allowed; applications must focus on technology development/validation, not hypothesis-driven research.

--- ## Description This opportunity, offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the NIH, funds exploratory research projects for the advanced development and rigorous validation of emerging technologies that enable novel molecular and cellular analysis in cancer research. The goal is to bridge the gap between feasibility demonstration and widespread adoption, supporting technologies that can transform research in cancer biology, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, and health disparities. Projects must focus on the further development and validation of a technology or methodology that has already overcome major feasibility barriers, as shown by preliminary data. The technology should offer substantial improvements over current approaches or introduce qualitatively new research capabilities, with a clear path to adoption by the research community. This funding opportunity is part of the NCI’s [Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program](https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/cssi/research/imat), which aims to stimulate and accelerate the development and dissemination of highly innovative technologies for cancer research and medicine. --- ## Due Dates - **Letter of Intent (optional):** 30 days prior to application due date - **Application Deadlines:** - April 4, 2025 - October 3, 2025 - All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. --- ## Funding Amount - **Budget:** Up to $300,000 in direct costs per year - **Project Period:** Up to 3 years - **Anticipated Number of Awards:** Approximately 10 awards - **Total Program Funding (FY2026):** ~$4.3 million (subject to appropriations) - **No cost sharing required.** --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - Public 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 - 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) and foreign components of U.S. organizations **Note:** Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided each is scientifically distinct. --- ## Application Process - **Mechanism:** R33 Exploratory/Developmental Grant (Phase II) - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://grants.gov/) or NIH ASSIST. - **Required Registrations:** SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons (for both organization and PI) - **Application Guide:** Follow the [NIH SF424 (R&R) Application Guide](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/url_redirect.php?id=82400) and the specific instructions in the [funding announcement](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-25-002.html). - **Letter of Intent:** Not required, but recommended. - **Key Application Components:** - Specific Aims (including a "Statement of Potential Impact") - Research Strategy (must address technical innovation, validation plan, and quantitative performance measures) - Data Management and Sharing Plan - Resource Sharing Plan - Budget and Justification - Biosketches for key personnel - Human Subjects/Vertebrate Animals sections (if applicable) - **Appendix:** Only limited materials allowed (see FOA for details). --- ## Additional Information ### Scope and Responsiveness - **Responsive Projects:** Must focus on the advanced development, optimization, and validation of a novel molecular or cellular analysis technology for cancer research. - **Required:** Quantitative performance measures for the technology. - **Not Responsive:** Projects where the novelty is in the biological/clinical question (not the technology), whole-body/in vivo imaging, clinical trials, biomarker discovery/validation, drug/therapy development, or projects focused primarily on software/informatics solutions. - **Annual Meeting:** Funded investigators are required to attend an annual 2–3 day IMAT program meeting. ### Review Criteria - **Significance and Innovation:** Impact and novelty of the technology for cancer research. - **Rigor and Feasibility:** Quality of the validation plan, performance measures, and likelihood of success. - **Expertise and Resources:** Qualifications of the team and adequacy of institutional support. --- ## External Links - [Full Funding Announcement (NIH Guide)](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-25-002.html) - [IMAT Program Overview](https://www.cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/cssi/research/imat) - [NIH Application Guide](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/url_redirect.php?id=82400) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/357738) - [NIH Grants Policy Statement](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/url_redirect.php?id=11120) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Contact Person/Office | Email/Phone | |------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Scientific/Research Contact | Kelly Crotty, Ph.D. (NCI) | [kelly.crotty@nih.gov](mailto:kelly.crotty@nih.gov) / 240-255-0917 | | Peer Review Contact | Referral Officer (NCI) | [ncirefof@dea.nci.nih.gov](mailto:ncirefof@dea.nci.nih.gov) / 240-276-6390 | | Grants Management Contact | Sean Hine (NCI) | [hines@mail.nih.gov](mailto:hines@mail.nih.gov) / 240-276-6291 | | General Grants Info (NIH) | NIH Grants Information | [GrantsInfo@nih.gov](mailto:GrantsInfo@nih.gov) / 301-480-7075 | | Application Submission Help | eRA Service Desk | [https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help](https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help) / 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 | | Grants.gov Support | Grants.gov Customer Support | [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) / 800-518-4726 | ---

Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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