Innovative Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 24 010

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 24 010

The National Institutes of Health, through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Innovative Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-CA-24-010; CFDA: 93.394). It is part of NCI's broader Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program and is aimed at supporting exploratory, early-stage technology development that directly improves the quality, integrity, and overall usefulness of biospecimens used in cancer research and, in some cases, clinical care.

The central focus of this NOFO is the problem of pre-analytical variation and degradation, meaning the unwanted changes that can happen to important biological molecules (targeted analytes) before a sample is actually analyzed. These issues often arise during routine but critical steps such as biospecimen collection, processing, handling, transport, and storage. The opportunity is looking for highly innovative technologies that either prevent or reduce these forms of degradation, or that can measure and verify specimen quality so researchers and clinicians can understand whether a sample is fit for a particular downstream use. In practical terms, the NOFO is interested in new tools, devices, instrumentation, and enabling methods that preserve sample integrity, protect unstable molecules, or create robust quality assessment and quality control criteria across a range of real-world conditions.

The intended payoff is improved reliability and performance of downstream analyses that depend on biospecimens, including molecular and cellular assays used in cancer biology research, early detection and screening efforts, clinical diagnosis, treatment decision-making, and population or epidemiologic studies. By tackling preventable pre-analytical artifacts, the technologies supported under this announcement are expected to make cancer research results more reproducible and clinically meaningful. The NOFO also emphasizes that improved biospecimen handling and quality controls can help address cancer health disparities, since differences in infrastructure, handling conditions, and access to consistent workflows can disproportionately affect sample quality across sites and populations.

This is an R61 mechanism, which generally signals exploratory or early developmental work intended to establish feasibility and demonstrate key proof-of-concept milestones rather than support large-scale validation or late-stage product development. The NOFO explicitly indicates that clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity, reinforcing that the scope is technology innovation and early development rather than interventional clinical evaluation.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and some non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants listed 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 tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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 foreign (non-U.S.) organizations.

Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of 2024-10-01, an award ceiling of $150,000, and a creation date of 2023-11-28. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward inventive, enabling biospecimen science technologies that can reduce pre-analytical variability and improve confidence in cancer-relevant measurements, thereby strengthening both basic research findings and translational pathways that depend on high-quality biological samples.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-10-01. (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 24 010

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