Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for Years 2024, 2025, and 2026 (P50 Clinical Trial Required)

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Description

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH, invites applications for P50 Research Center Grants under the Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) mechanism. This program funds multi-project, investigator-initiated translational research centers focused on organ-specific cancers, groups of highly related cancers, or cancers unified by a common biological mechanism (e.g., pathway dysregulation, infectious agent, or cross-cutting themes such as pediatric cancers or cancer health disparities).

SPOREs are designed to accelerate the translation of basic scientific discoveries into clinical applications that improve cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Each SPORE must include at least one investigator-initiated clinical trial and all projects must aim to reach a translational human endpoint within the grant period.

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Due Dates

• Application Deadlines:
  • May 25, 2025
  • September 25, 2025
    (New, Renewal, Resubmission, Revision)
• Letter of Intent Deadlines:
  • April 25, 2025
  • August 25, 2025
    (30 days prior to application due date)
• Future cycles: January, May, and September annually through September 2026.

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

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Funding Amount

• Maximum Direct Costs: $1,400,000 per year (excluding third-party indirect costs)
• Additional Funds: Up to $120,000/year for each qualified Early Detection, Prevention, or Population Science (EPPS) project and/or Cancer Health Disparities/Minority Health (CHD-MH) project (maximum $240,000/year if both are included and are distinct projects)
• Project Period: Up to 5 years
• Number of Awards: Approximately 6–10 SPORE awards per year (contingent on NIH appropriations and meritorious applications)

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Eligibility

• Eligible Organizations:

  • Public/State controlled and private institutions of higher education
  • Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
  • For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
  • State, county, city, township, and special district governments
  • Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other)
  • Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
  • Independent school districts
  • U.S. territories and possessions
  • Certain faith-based, community-based, and regional organizations

• Ineligible: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations (foreign components as defined by NIH policy are allowed).

• PI/PD Restrictions: An investigator may serve as PI/multi-PI on only one funded SPORE P50 at a time, but may participate in other roles on additional SPOREs.

• Minimum Research Base: Application must include at least four independent investigators with active, peer-reviewed cancer research funding relevant to the SPORE’s focus.

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Application Process

• Letter of Intent: Strongly encouraged, due 30 days before the application deadline. Should include project title, PI(s), key personnel, institutions, and funding opportunity number. Submit to the NCI contact listed below.
• Application Submission: Use NIH ASSIST or institutional system-to-system solution via Grants.gov.
• Required Components:
  • Overall component (including scientific collaboration and data management/sharing plan)
  • Administrative Core
  • At least three research projects (each with a human endpoint; at least one must include a clinical trial)
  • Biospecimen/Pathology Shared Resource Core (required), plus optional additional shared resource cores
  • Developmental Research Program (DRP)
  • Career Enhancement Program (CEP)
• Page Limits: Strict limits apply (see full NOFO for details).
• Clinical Trial Requirement: At least one SPORE-initiated clinical trial is required per application.

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Additional Information

• Translational Focus: All projects must be translational, involving both laboratory and human endpoint components.
• Flexibility: SPOREs may replace underperforming projects with new translational projects after the first year (with NCI approval).
• Collaborations: Both horizontal (with other SPOREs or external partners) and vertical (moving discoveries toward clinical application) collaborations are encouraged.
• Required Programs: DRP and CEP must be maintained throughout the grant period, each with a minimum $50,000/year direct cost commitment.
• Renewal Applications: May propose two large-scale, multi-institutional projects instead of three, if justified.

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External Links

• NIH Funder Home Page
• Full Funding Opportunity Announcement (PAR-23-284)
• Grants.gov Opportunity Listing
• NIH SPORE Program Overview
• NIH Standard Due Dates

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Contact Information

For additional contacts and details, see the full NOFO contact section.

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