Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 243

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 243

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary research grant opportunity titled Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-243 (CFDA 93.393). This NOFO supports R01 research project grants focused specifically on basic, mechanistic studies that can explain why cancer incidence, progression, and outcomes differ across populations. The central goal is to move beyond documenting disparities and instead uncover the underlying biological and genetic mechanisms that may contribute to unequal cancer burdens, with an emphasis on innovative and rigorous basic science rather than clinical trial work.

The scope of projects NIH is seeking includes several major categories. First, the NOFO encourages mechanistic investigations of biological factors linked to cancer disparities, which can include foundational cancer biology studies as well as biologically grounded cancer prevention research, as long as the work is geared toward understanding disparity-related mechanisms. Second, the opportunity supports the development and testing of new research methodologies and experimental models that make disparity-focused basic research more feasible or more accurate, such as improved model systems that better represent diverse populations or biological contexts relevant to disparity questions. Third, the NOFO allows secondary analyses of existing datasets, meaning applicants can propose new mechanistic insights derived from already-collected data, provided the work remains basic/mechanistic in nature and aligns with the disparity-focused intent.

A key programmatic aim is capacity-building for the field. NIH signals that this NOFO is also meant to help grow a nationwide community of scientists with strong expertise in basic cancer health disparities research. That includes expanding the resources and tools needed to do this work well, such as biospecimens, patient-derived models, and specialized methods or platforms that enable researchers to interrogate biological and genetic contributors to disparities. In practice, this means competitive applications will likely be those that not only ask strong mechanistic questions, but also strengthen the broader ecosystem of disparity-relevant basic research resources, either by generating, improving, validating, or enabling access to such tools.

This is an R01 mechanism and is explicitly labeled Clinical Trial Not Allowed, so applications should avoid proposing clinical trials or trial-like intervention studies. The work should remain within basic and mechanistic research boundaries, which may include laboratory-based studies, model development, and computational or secondary data approaches aimed at causal biological understanding rather than testing clinical interventions in participants.

Eligibility is broad and includes many standard applicant types, such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant groups, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized); eligible federal agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility is consistent with the program goal of expanding the national (and potentially international) base of investigators and institutions contributing to mechanistic cancer disparities research.

The opportunity was created on November 18, 2024, and lists an original closing date of January 7, 2028. The provided source information does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which typically means applicants should consult the full NOFO for budget expectations, paylines, submission cycles, and any institute-specific priorities or review considerations that might apply under this PAR.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 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 2024-11-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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 25 243

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: