Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 341
The NIH funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR-21-341) supports early-stage, high-potential research ideas aimed at improving cancer control. It is designed for exploratory and developmental projects that are not yet ready for larger, more definitive funding mechanisms, but that could open up promising new directions in population-based cancer research. The focus is on work that could meaningfully influence how cancer risk is reduced, how early detection and screening are improved, and how underlying causes and contributing factors to cancer development are better understood, ultimately leading to stronger approaches for preventing and controlling cancer.
This FOA is centered on cancer control research that can span behavioral, biomedical, epidemiologic, health care delivery, and clinical domains. It specifically encourages projects that attempt to modify behavior related to cancer risk and outcomes, refine or expand screening strategies, and investigate etiologic factors that contribute to cancer. The program is intentionally broad in order to capture innovative concepts, especially those that could introduce or validate novel tools and approaches. Examples of the kinds of outputs NIH is looking to stimulate include new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or practical applications that could have a major impact on a given cancer research area, even if the work is still at an early proof-of-concept stage.
As an R21 mechanism, the emphasis is on innovation, feasibility, and potential for impact rather than on having extensive preliminary data. The "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial, but they are not required to do so. In practice, this gives investigators flexibility to pursue either non-trial exploratory work (such as formative studies, model development, measurement work, secondary analyses, or early translational concepts) or to propose an early-stage clinical trial when it is justified and fits the exploratory nature of the R21.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can contribute to cancer control science and community impact. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal participation is supported through eligibility for federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also welcomes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, along with small businesses.
The opportunity also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories that reflect a strong interest in reaching diverse institutions and community-connected organizations. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and 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; tribal governments that are not federally recognized; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility scope signals that NIH is open to proposals from many settings, including those closely linked to underserved communities and populations that experience cancer disparities.
From the source information provided, the opportunity is a discretionary grant supported by the National Institutes of Health, tied to CFDA numbers 93.393 and 93.399. The original closing date listed is 2024-10-08, and the opportunity was created on 2021-10-12. While the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, the core takeaway is that this FOA is meant to seed innovative, early-stage cancer control research with the potential to grow into larger programs of study and ultimately improve cancer prevention, detection, and control at the population level.Apply for PAR 21 341
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (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, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-10-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-10-08. (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.
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FAQs: NIH Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-21-341)
What is the NIH funding opportunity PAR-21-341?
PAR-21-341 is an NIH funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)." It supports early-stage, high-potential cancer control research ideas that are exploratory or developmental and not yet ready for larger, more definitive funding mechanisms.
What is the main goal of this R21 cancer control FOA?
The main goal is to seed innovative, early proof-of-concept cancer control research that could open promising new directions in population-based cancer research and ultimately strengthen approaches to preventing and controlling cancer.
What kinds of cancer control outcomes is this opportunity trying to improve?
The opportunity aims to support research that can meaningfully influence how cancer risk is reduced, how early detection and screening are improved, and how underlying causes and contributing factors to cancer development are better understood.
What research domains can be included under this FOA?
This FOA is broad and can span behavioral, biomedical, epidemiologic, health care delivery, and clinical domains, as long as the work is centered on cancer control research.
Does the FOA encourage behavior change research related to cancer?
Yes. It specifically encourages projects that attempt to modify behavior related to cancer risk and outcomes.
Is research on cancer screening and early detection appropriate for PAR-21-341?
Yes. The FOA encourages efforts to refine or expand screening strategies and improve early detection and screening approaches.
Can applicants propose research on the causes of cancer (etiology) under this FOA?
Yes. The FOA encourages investigation of etiologic factors that contribute to cancer and contributing factors to cancer development.
What does "exploratory and developmental" mean in the context of this R21?
It means the work is intended to test early-stage ideas, feasibility, and proof-of-concept approaches, rather than to conduct a large, definitive program of research.
Is extensive preliminary data required for this R21 mechanism?
No. As an R21 mechanism, the emphasis is on innovation, feasibility, and potential for impact rather than on having extensive preliminary data.
What types of outputs is NIH hoping to stimulate through this program?
NIH is looking to stimulate outputs such as new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or practical applications that could have major impact in a cancer research area, even if the work is still at an early proof-of-concept stage.
What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean?
"Clinical Trial Optional" means applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial, but they are not required to do so. This provides flexibility to propose either non-trial exploratory work or an early-stage clinical trial when it fits the exploratory nature of the R21.
Are clinical trials required for PAR-21-341?
No. Clinical trials are allowed but not required under this opportunity.
What are examples of non-trial activities that could fit this FOA?
Examples mentioned include formative studies, model development, measurement work, secondary analyses, or early translational concepts, when aligned with cancer control goals.
What is the overall focus area for this FOA?
The FOA is centered on cancer control research, particularly innovative concepts that could reduce cancer risk, improve screening and early detection, and strengthen understanding of factors contributing to cancer development.
Who is eligible to apply for this NIH R21 opportunity?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include multiple types of governments, higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private), tribal governments and tribal organizations (including certain non-federally recognized entities), public housing authorities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and additional categories listed in the FOA description.
Are state, local, or regional government entities eligible?
Yes. Eligible government applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts. The FOA also notes regional organizations as eligible.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible. Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments are also included, and the FOA also highlights tribal governments that are not federally recognized.
Can faith-based or community-based organizations apply?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted as eligible applicant categories.
Are nonprofits eligible, and do they need 501(c)(3) status?
Nonprofits are eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), based on the eligibility list provided.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included as eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are explicitly highlighted as an eligible applicant category.
Are applicants from U.S. territories eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among the highlighted eligible applicant categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are explicitly listed as eligible.
Why does the FOA emphasize broad eligibility and community-connected institutions?
The description signals NIH interest in proposals from diverse institutions and organizations closely linked to underserved communities and populations that experience cancer disparities.
Which federal agency is providing this discretionary grant?
This is a discretionary grant supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed for this opportunity are 93.393 and 93.399.
What is the original closing date provided for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2024-10-08.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2021-10-12.
Is the award ceiling provided in the information?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided data.
Is the expected number of awards provided?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided data.
How should applicants think about fit if their project is not ready for a large study?
This FOA is intended for projects that are not yet ready for larger, more definitive funding mechanisms, but that could open new directions and lead to stronger future cancer control research programs.
What is the key takeaway about the purpose of this FOA?
The key takeaway is that NIH is using this FOA to support innovative, early-stage cancer control research with potential to grow into larger programs of study and improve cancer prevention, detection, and control at the population level.
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