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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Innovative Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."

Which agency is offering this grant?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is offering this discretionary grant opportunity.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-CA-24-010.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.394.

What program is this opportunity associated with?

This NOFO is part of NCI's broader Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.

What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The main goal is to support 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.

What problem area is the NOFO specifically trying to address?

The central focus is reducing or understanding pre-analytical variation and degradation, meaning unwanted changes to important biological molecules (targeted analytes) that can occur before a specimen is analyzed.

What does "pre-analytical variation and degradation" refer to in practice?

It refers to changes that can happen during routine but critical steps such as biospecimen collection, processing, handling, transport, and storage, which can compromise the molecules or signals researchers and clinicians need to measure.

What kinds of technologies is NCI looking to fund under this NOFO?

The NOFO is interested in highly innovative technologies such as new tools, devices, instrumentation, and enabling methods that preserve sample integrity, protect unstable molecules, prevent or reduce degradation, or measure and verify specimen quality so users can determine whether a sample is fit for a downstream use.

What outcomes or benefits are expected from the supported technologies?

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.

How does this opportunity relate to reproducibility in cancer research?

By reducing preventable pre-analytical artifacts and improving biospecimen quality controls, the technologies are expected to make cancer research results more reproducible and clinically meaningful.

Does the announcement mention any connection to cancer health disparities?

Yes. The NOFO emphasizes that improved biospecimen handling and quality controls can help address cancer health disparities because differences in infrastructure, handling conditions, and access to consistent workflows can disproportionately affect specimen quality across sites and populations.

What does the R61 mechanism indicate about the stage of work supported?

The R61 mechanism generally indicates exploratory or early developmental work intended to establish feasibility and demonstrate key proof-of-concept milestones, rather than large-scale validation or late-stage product development.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. The NOFO explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," reinforcing that the scope is technology innovation and early development rather than interventional clinical evaluation.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and some non-U.S. entities.

Which U.S. government entities are eligible?

Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts.

Are higher education institutions eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible.

Are tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are eligible. Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) are also highlighted among eligible applicant types.

Are nonprofits eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education) are eligible.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.

Are housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among eligible applicants.

Does the NOFO explicitly call out any institution types serving specific populations?

Yes. The announcement highlights 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are listed among additional eligible applicant types.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included among the eligible applicant types.

Are applicants from U.S. territories eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicant types.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?

Yes. Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations are listed among eligible applicant types, and the eligibility description notes that some non-U.S. entities are eligible.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The award ceiling provided is $150,000.

What is the original closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date is 2024-10-01.

What is the creation date of the opportunity?

The creation date listed is 2023-11-28.

What types of biospecimen-related steps are within the scope of the problem this NOFO targets?

The NOFO is concerned with problems that arise during collection, processing, handling, transport, and storage of biospecimens, because issues during these steps can drive pre-analytical variability and analyte degradation.

What kinds of downstream uses are mentioned as benefiting from improved biospecimen quality?

Downstream uses mentioned include molecular and cellular assays in cancer biology research, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment decision-making, and population or epidemiologic studies.

Is this opportunity focused on late-stage product development or large validation studies?

No. Based on the R61 mechanism description provided, the focus is on exploratory, early-stage development to establish feasibility and demonstrate proof-of-concept milestones rather than late-stage development or large-scale validation.

Does the NOFO support technologies that assess specimen quality, not just preserve it?

Yes. In addition to technologies that prevent or reduce degradation, the NOFO is also interested in technologies that can measure and verify specimen quality, helping users determine whether a biospecimen is fit for a specific downstream use.

What is the overarching theme of the funded work?

The overarching theme is inventive, enabling biospecimen science technologies that reduce pre-analytical variability and improve confidence in cancer-relevant measurements, strengthening both basic research findings and translational pathways that rely on high-quality biological samples.