NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 24 033

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 24 033

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity (UG1) to support institutions that will serve as Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (LAPS) within the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). The core purpose of this funding is to help selected institutions maintain or establish the infrastructure and leadership capacity needed to play a central role in the NCTN, especially by providing scientific leadership, partnering closely with one or more adult NCTN Network Groups, and contributing substantial patient accrual to NCTN clinical trials across the broader network.

In practical terms, a Network LAPS functions as a high-performing academic site that does more than simply enroll participants. These sites are expected to help shape and drive the NCTN research portfolio by assisting in the development and conduct of clinical trials in collaboration with adult Network Groups. That emphasis on scientific leadership and meaningful accrual signals that NCI is looking for institutions that can reliably open studies, recruit and enroll participants at scale, and actively contribute to the design and operational execution of network trials, rather than acting as occasional or low-volume participating sites.

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, meaning the funded program is expected to be carried out with substantial NIH/NCI involvement compared with a typical grant. The funding instrument is categorized as discretionary, and the activity area is listed under education and health, consistent with the NCTN mission of improving cancer outcomes through coordinated, multi-site clinical research. The program is associated with CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395. The opportunity is identified as RFA-CA-24-033, was created on October 10, 2024, and has an original closing date of February 24, 2025. The listed award ceiling is $1,700,000, indicating the maximum expected annual or project-period amount per award as specified in the posting (with the exact budget structure and period of performance typically detailed in the full NOFO).

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizational types, reflecting the network-wide nature of NCTN participation. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other applicant types as allowed by NIH policy. The NOFO also explicitly 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, and U.S. territories or possessions. That emphasis suggests NCI interest in a diverse mix of institutions and settings capable of expanding reach, improving access to trials, and strengthening accrual across populations and geographies.

At the same time, the opportunity places clear restrictions on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. In other words, the applicant organization must be domestic, and the funded activities must be carried out without foreign components under NIH definitions.

Finally, the title includes the designation "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which typically means applicants should not propose a stand-alone clinical trial as part of the application. Instead, the funding is aimed at supporting a site’s role and capacity within the NCTN structure: leadership, coordination, readiness, and robust participation in NCTN trials developed through the network’s established mechanisms in collaboration with the adult Network Groups.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (UG1 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, 93.395.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-24. (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 $1,700,000.00 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 24 033

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