Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 184

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 184

The Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR 19 184) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant program aimed at supporting early-stage, exploratory research that digs into the fundamental biology of bladder cancer. The core purpose is to move beyond identifying which genes are mutated and instead clarify how bladder cancers actually start, evolve, and become aggressive at the molecular and cellular level. The announcement highlights bladder cancer as a major public health issue in the United States and worldwide, noting that its high incidence and frequent recurrence create a medical burden that is larger than many people realize. In that context, the FOA is designed to stimulate studies that can explain the mechanisms behind tumor initiation, progression, malignancy, and recurrence, with the expectation that stronger biological insight will ultimately help inform better prevention strategies, diagnostics, and treatments.

A major theme of the opportunity is that there are still big knowledge gaps, not only in cancer biology but also in basic bladder biology. The FOA specifically points out that understanding of normal bladder processes at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels remains limited. Because of that, the program encourages projects that look at both normal and cancer states, so researchers can identify what changes during transformation and progression rather than studying tumors in isolation. The NIH also signals interest in multidisciplinary approaches, meaning applications that bring together expertise across fields such as molecular biology, genomics, pathology, immunology, bioengineering, computational biology, or clinical specialties are viewed as particularly responsive. Likewise, the use of clinical specimens is encouraged, reflecting a preference for studies that stay closely connected to human disease biology and can generate findings with clearer translational relevance.

The mechanism is an R21, which generally supports novel, high-impact ideas and preliminary or proof-of-concept work rather than large, fully mature research programs. The FOA is listed as clinical trial optional, meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the scientific objectives, but a clinical trial is not required. The award ceiling shown is 200,000 (as presented in the source data), and the associated activity areas fall under education and health, with CFDA numbers 93.393 and 93.396. The opportunity was created on 2019-02-05, and the original closing date listed is 2022-05-07.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and some non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and 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; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign organizations. Overall, the opportunity is structured to attract a wide range of investigators and institutions to tackle the basic and mechanistic science that underpins bladder cancer, especially studies that integrate normal bladder biology with cancer biology and leverage team science and clinically grounded materials.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-02-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-05-07. (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 $200,000.00 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 PAR 19 184

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