Revision Applications to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Supported R01 Awards to Include Research on the NCIs Provocative Questions (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 18 021

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 18 021

This grant opportunity (RFA-CA-18-021) from the National Institutes of Health, through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is designed specifically for investigators who already hold an active NCI-supported R01 award and want to submit a revision application (often called a supplement or competitive revision) that expands their currently funded project. The central purpose is to add new, clearly defined research directions that align with the NCI's "Provocative Questions" (PQs), a set of high-priority scientific questions intended to push the cancer research field toward areas where progress has been slow or where new approaches could unlock major advances.

A key feature of the FOA is that it does not fund an entirely new, stand-alone project. Instead, applicants must propose additional specific aims that build directly on the parent R01 and expand its scope in a logical, well-justified way. In practical terms, the revision should show a tight connection to the existing funded work (shared scientific premise, resources, and expertise) while adding new aims that directly address one of the 12 PQs referenced in the related announcements for new applications (RFA-CA-18-019 for R01s and RFA-CA-18-020 for R21s). The emphasis is on being PQ-driven: the new work should be clearly mapped to one PQ and demonstrate how the added aims will generate meaningful progress on that question.

Beyond simply conducting new PQ-related experiments, the FOA explicitly encourages projects that help validate the outcomes of prior PQ research or that focus on adoption, dissemination, or translation of PQ-generated findings in ways that could influence cancer research directions and clinical care. This means the opportunity can support a range of activities as long as they are research-based and tied to the PQ framework, including efforts that strengthen evidence, improve reproducibility, or move promising findings closer to real-world impact. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, so applicants may propose clinical trial activities if they are appropriate for the aims, but they are not required.

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant program within NIH's health and education activity areas and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399), reflecting NCI's broader research funding authorities. The stated award ceiling is $150,000, which suggests the revision budget is intended to be relatively targeted and additive rather than a major expansion equivalent to a full new grant. The original closing date listed is October 30, 2018, and the FOA was created on April 3, 2018, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation with defined submission timing.

Eligibility is broad in terms of institution types, but the applicant must have an active NCI R01 to serve as the parent award for the revision. Eligible applicant organizations include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicants 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, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and even non-U.S. (foreign) entities. In short, many organizational types can apply, but the revision mechanism anchors eligibility to the existence of an active NCI R01 that will be expanded through new PQ-focused aims.

Overall, this FOA is best understood as an NCI strategy to accelerate progress on its Provocative Questions by leveraging ongoing R01-funded research programs. Rather than waiting for entirely new grants to start from scratch, it encourages established R01 teams to add well-integrated, incremental but high-impact aims that tackle specific PQ challenges, strengthen or validate emerging results, and potentially speed the path from discovery to broader research use and clinical relevance.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revision Applications to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Supported R01 Awards to Include Research on the NCIs Provocative Questions (R01 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, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-04-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-10-30. (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 18 021

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