Epidemiologic Research on Emerging Risk Factors and Liver Cancer Susceptibility (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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Description

This NIH funding opportunity supports exploratory/developmental (R21) epidemiologic research to identify and understand novel and emerging risk factors for liver cancer (including hepatocellular carcinoma and other subtypes) in the United States. The program encourages studies that investigate the interplay of new biological, environmental, and social risk factors with established risks (such as viral hepatitis), aiming to inform evidence-based prevention and control strategies. Research may include, but is not limited to, the roles of metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), environmental exposures, and social determinants in liver cancer etiology and progression.

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Funding Amount

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

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Due Dates

• New Applications: February 16, 2025
• Renewal/Resubmission/Revision: March 16, 2025
• Expiration Date: May 8, 2025

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

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Eligibility

• Institutions/Organizations:

  • 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
  • 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

• Individuals: Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as PD/PI.

• Notes:

  • Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided each is scientifically distinct.
  • Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are eligible, but research must be directly relevant to U.S. populations.

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Application Process

• Submission Systems: Applications must be submitted electronically via one of the following:

  • NIH ASSIST
  • Grants.gov Workspace
  • Institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution

• Required Registrations:

  • System for Award Management (SAM)
  • eRA Commons
  • Grants.gov
  • (Foreign organizations must also obtain an NCAGE code)

• Application Instructions: Follow the NIH How to Apply - Application Guide and the specific instructions in the funding announcement.

• Key Attachments:

  • Research Strategy (Significance, Innovation, Approach)
  • Data Management and Sharing Plan
  • Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information (if applicable)
  • Letters of Support, Budget Justification, and other standard NIH forms

• Page Limits: As specified in the NIH Table of Page Limits.

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Eligibility Details and Restrictions

• Clinical Trials: Not allowed under this FOA.
• Non-Responsive Applications:
  • Applications focusing solely on the link between hepatitis B or C and liver cancer.
  • Applications seeking infrastructure support for new or follow-up cohort establishment.
• Research Focus: Must address emerging or novel risk factors and/or their interplay with established risks in U.S. populations.

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Additional Information

• Companion Opportunity: A parallel R01 opportunity is available for larger-scale projects (PA-25-121).
• Data Sharing: All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan in accordance with NIH policy.
• Review Criteria: Significance, innovation, approach, investigator(s), and environment, with additional attention to rigor, feasibility, and relevance to U.S. populations.
• Cost Sharing: Not required.

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External Links

• Full Funding Announcement (NIH Guide)
• NIH Grants & Funding Main Page
• Apply via Grants.gov
• NIH How to Apply - Application Guide
• NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy

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Contact Information

For additional contacts, see Section VII. Agency Contacts in the full announcement.