Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 322

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 322

The Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) opportunity (PAR-21-322) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program that supports investigator-initiated R01 research focused on the biological and genetic mechanisms that contribute to cancer health disparities. The main goal is to move beyond describing disparities and instead dig into the underlying biology, including genetic, molecular, cellular, and related mechanistic factors that may help explain why certain populations experience differences in cancer risk, incidence, progression, outcomes, or response to prevention strategies. Because this FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," projects should be basic or mechanistic in nature and should not propose prospective clinical intervention trials.

The FOA is designed to fund innovative research projects in several broad areas. First, it supports mechanistic studies of biological factors associated with cancer disparities, including research grounded in cancer biology and biology-driven cancer prevention concepts. Second, it encourages the development and testing of new methodologies and experimental models that can better capture the biological context of disparity populations, which can include improved analytic approaches, laboratory methods, or biologically relevant model systems. Third, it allows for secondary data analyses, meaning applicants can use existing datasets and resources to address mechanistic questions about disparities, as long as the work remains aligned with basic, biology-focused aims. A major emphasis is strengthening the field itself by expanding the tools and resources needed to do this kind of work, such as biospecimens, patient-derived models, and validated methods that can be shared or used broadly to accelerate progress.

A key workforce and infrastructure intent runs through the announcement: NIH is explicitly trying to build and sustain a nationwide cohort of scientists with strong basic research expertise in cancer health disparities. That translates into support for projects that not only answer specific mechanistic questions, but also help expand the practical capacity of the research community to study disparities at a biological level, for example by generating well-annotated biospecimen sets, establishing patient-derived systems, refining techniques that work well with limited or hard-to-access samples, or creating approaches that can be adopted by other groups investigating similar questions.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations as well as some non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories that are often central to disparities research capacity-building, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized; faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).

From an administrative standpoint, this is an NIH grant under CFDA 93.393 in the Education and Health activity area. The opportunity was created on 2021-09-02, and the original closing date shown is 2024-09-07. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided data, which typically means applicants need to consult the full FOA and NIH institute-specific guidance for budget expectations, project period norms, and paylines or funding plans where applicable. Overall, the program is best suited for teams that can connect cancer disparities to testable biological mechanisms, leverage or build high-quality models and resources, and produce findings that strengthen the scientific foundation for understanding and ultimately reducing cancer inequities without conducting clinical trials.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-09-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 21 322

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