Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 186

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 186

Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-186, is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunity under the National Institutes of Health that supports the launch and build-out of new, population-based cancer epidemiology cohorts. The intent is to create the infrastructure, methods, and recruitment strategies needed for cohorts that can answer pressing questions about why cancers develop (etiology) and how people fare after diagnosis (survivorship), with an emphasis on filling clear knowledge gaps rather than simply expanding existing datasets.

A central focus of the announcement is enabling cohort designs that can capture emerging or under-studied exposures and connect them to cancer risk and outcomes. This includes cohorts positioned to measure "new or unique" exposures that may not be well represented in older studies, along with the scientific and methodological work needed to measure those exposures rigorously over time. In parallel, the opportunity prioritizes cohorts that achieve meaningful inclusion of diverse and historically understudied populations, including but not limited to specific racial and ethnic groups, rural communities, and people living in persistent poverty areas. The solicitation explicitly highlights substantial community engagement as a key ingredient for successful recruitment, retention, and long-term relevance, signaling that applicants should build partnerships and governance approaches that reflect community priorities and support trust.

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U01), which generally means the funded project will be carried out with significant involvement from NIH/NCI staff compared with a standard research grant. The opportunity is explicitly "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," indicating that applications should not propose clinical trials; instead, they should concentrate on cohort initiation and development work and the epidemiologic framework needed to support future discovery about cancer causes and survivorship trajectories.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. public and private entities: state, county, city or township governments; 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; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also calls out 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 non-U.S. (foreign) organizations. This wide eligibility aligns with the program's emphasis on reaching populations that are often missed and on building locally credible, community-engaged cohort models.

From the posted source data, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, with an activity area spanning education and health, and is associated with CFDA number 93.393. The original closing date listed is 2025-02-28, and the opportunity record creation date is 2024-11-21. Award ceiling and expected award count are not specified in the provided excerpt, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget parameters and anticipated funding levels.

In practical terms, a strong application under this announcement would describe a clear scientific gap in cancer etiology or survivorship that can be addressed through a newly initiated or next-generation cohort; justify why existing cohorts cannot adequately answer the question; lay out robust methods for exposure assessment and outcome ascertainment; and present a credible, resourced plan to recruit and retain diverse participants with sustained community engagement. The overall goal is to enable durable cohorts that improve representation and measurement of relevant exposures, creating a foundation for future cancer epidemiology discoveries that translate into better prevention and survivorship insights.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 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): 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-28. (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.

Apply for PAR 25 186

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