Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 18 731

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 731

The Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to strengthen diversity in the cancer research workforce by supporting investigators from groups that are nationally underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social science research. The program focuses on basic cancer research and uses the NIH R21 exploratory grant mechanism, which is typically meant for early-stage, high-impact ideas, pilot studies, and concept development that can generate the preliminary data and research momentum needed for a later, larger grant application. A key goal is to act as a bridge for investigators who have finished their formal research training but may need additional time and support to establish independence and build a competitive application for a major research project grant (for example, an R01 or similar).

This announcement (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 18-731; CFDA 93.393) falls under discretionary grant funding in the education and health activity area. It supports projects that advance basic cancer research while simultaneously helping broaden participation in the NCI-funded scientific workforce. Importantly, clinical trials are not allowed under this FOA, meaning proposed work must stay within the boundaries of basic or non-clinical research rather than interventional studies involving human participants in a clinical trial framework.

Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types. Applicants may include state, county, and local 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; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) that are not institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also highlights several institution and organization categories as “other eligible applicants,” including 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. While some non-U.S. entities are mentioned in the text list, the FOA’s restrictions are clear that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed. In practical terms, the applicant organization and the proposed work need to be fully domestic under NIH rules.

In terms of funding size and basic parameters, the listed award ceiling is $200,000, aligning with the smaller, exploratory nature of an R21. The announcement record shows an original closing date of November 19, 2020, and a creation date of March 29, 2018; as written, that indicates the specific posting details are historical and applicants would need to verify whether a current or reissued version of the opportunity is active. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an NCI effort to combine exploratory basic cancer research support with a workforce development objective: helping underrepresented investigators gain the resources, track record, and time needed to compete successfully for larger NIH/NCI research awards.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21 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 2018-03-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-19. (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 $200,000.00 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 PAR 18 731

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