Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 22 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 22 001

The Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) opportunity, listed as RFA-CA-22-001, is a National Institutes of Health funding announcement under the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that supports early-stage, exploratory technology development for cancer research. It sits within NCI's broader Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program and is aimed at pushing forward brand-new or substantially improved tools that can better interrogate cancer at the molecular and cellular levels. The main idea is to back high-risk, high-innovation concepts that create new capabilities for targeting, probing, measuring, or otherwise assessing key features of cancer biology, rather than incremental upgrades to existing methods.

The research focus is specifically on technologies that improve molecular and/or cellular characterization of cancer, whether for basic research or clinically relevant research settings. Projects should be centered on creating novel analysis capabilities, such as new ways to detect cancer-related molecules, map cellular states, measure interactions in tumors and the tumor microenvironment, or capture information that current platforms cannot access well. While the tools developed can be broadly useful across many diseases or research areas, the proposal must be clearly anchored in cancer and show how the innovation will make cancer biology easier to study or will improve how cancer is characterized in practice.

In terms of impact, the FOA emphasizes technologies that could meaningfully accelerate or enhance progress across a wide range of cancer-related goals. This includes advancing fundamental cancer biology, improving early detection and screening approaches, strengthening clinical diagnosis or classification, informing treatment decisions, aiding cancer control strategies, supporting epidemiological studies, and addressing challenges connected to cancer health disparities. In other words, the program is interested in tools that do not just look exciting on paper, but that plausibly shift what researchers and clinicians can measure and understand about cancer, especially in ways that could ultimately translate into better outcomes or fairer access to effective care.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity with an NIH grant funding instrument, associated with CFDA number 93.394. The FOA title explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applications should not propose clinical trials as part of the project activities. The listed award ceiling is $150,000, indicating a relatively modest budget consistent with exploratory, early development work rather than large-scale validation or deployment. The original closing date was 2022-09-22, and the FOA record shows a creation date of 2021-11-23.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can contribute to technology innovation. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects the program's interest in drawing from a diverse range of scientific, engineering, and community-linked innovation environments.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted investment in the invention phase of next-generation molecular and cellular analysis methods for cancer. The strongest proposals are likely to be those that clearly define the novel capability being created, explain why current approaches fall short, and make a credible case that the proposed technology could unlock new insights or more precise characterization relevant to cancer research and, eventually, cancer care, without venturing into clinical trial activities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 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): 93.394.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-11-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• 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 RFA CA 22 001

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: