Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 11 009
Apply for RFA CA 11 009
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alliance of Glycobiologists for Detection of Cancer (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393 Cancer Cause and Prevention Research 93.394 Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research 93.395 Cancer Treatment Research 93.396 Cancer Biology Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 28, 2011 and posted on Jul 28, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 7, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $350,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education State governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Foreign (non U.S.) components on applications submitted by U.S. Organizations are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Alliance of Glycobiologists for Detection of Cancer (U01) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-11-009) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH cooperative agreement intended to continue and expand a coordinated research program focused on the role of cellular carbohydrates (glycans) in cancer. The central scientific goal is to understand how cancer initiation and progression are associated with changes in glycosylation and other carbohydrate-related features on or around cells, and to translate those insights into practical glycan-based biomarker candidates for early detection or cancer risk assessment. In plain terms, NCI is looking to fund projects that connect mechanistic glycobiology to real-world diagnostic potential, rather than purely descriptive profiling without a path toward distinguishing cancer from non-cancer.
Applicants are expected to propose research that examines cancer-relevant carbohydrate alterations across one or more major molecular contexts, including glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosaminoglycans, and the proteins that bind these carbohydrate structures. Projects can target any of these layers, but they must make a clear case that the glycan changes being studied are meaningfully tied to cancer biology and could yield measurable abnormalities suitable for biomarker development. A key requirement is that proposed biomarker candidates be assessed for their ability to accurately differentiate individuals with cancer from individuals without cancer. This emphasis on discrimination performance signals that NCI wants projects to incorporate thoughtful study design, appropriate comparison groups, and credible analytical approaches that speak to real diagnostic use, not just molecular discovery.
While clinical validation studies are not required under this announcement, the FOA makes it clear that the most promising biomarker candidates are expected to progress to clinical validation eventually. As a result, strong applications would typically frame discovery and preliminary evaluation in a way that positions successful candidates for downstream validation, such as by considering assay robustness, reproducibility, biological specificity, and the practical requirements of eventual clinical testing. The program sits under the broader Alliance of Glycobiologists for Detection of Cancer initiative (glycomics.cancer.gov), reinforcing that this is meant to be part of an organized national effort in glycomics-driven cancer detection research rather than isolated, one-off projects.
This opportunity uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism, which generally means NCI anticipates substantial scientific or programmatic involvement and expects awardees to operate within a coordinated framework. Beyond executing their individual research aims, applicants must plan to participate in trans-Alliance activities, including collaborative projects with other awardees. That collaborative expectation is a defining feature of the program: investigators should be prepared to share knowledge, align methods where appropriate, and contribute to group efforts that accelerate progress across the Alliance, not just within one laboratory or institution.
From an administrative standpoint, the FOA was posted July 28, 2011, with an original and current closing date of October 7, 2011, and an archive date of November 7, 2011. The estimated total funding level listed is $3.5 million, with an award ceiling of $350,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The activity categories span cancer cause and prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment, and cancer biology (CFDA 93.393 through 93.396), reflecting the cross-cutting nature of glycobiology as it relates to both mechanisms and translational detection goals.
Eligibility is broad and includes small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), public and private institutions of higher education, and state governments, along with several categories of specialized institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are listed as eligible, and foreign components on applications submitted by U.S. organizations are allowed, indicating the program is open to international participation where it strengthens the science.
The full announcement and details were provided through the NIH Grants Guide (link in the source text), and general access issues were directed to the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact. Overall, this FOA is best understood as targeted support for collaborative, glycan-focused cancer biomarker discovery and early evaluation, with an explicit expectation that funded teams will contribute to a shared Alliance ecosystem and generate biomarker leads that can realistically move toward clinical validation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "The Alliance of Glycobiologists for Detection of Cancer (U01)" and is associated with FOA number RFA-CA-11-009.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement funding opportunity.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program is intended to continue and expand a coordinated research effort focused on how cellular carbohydrates (glycans) relate to cancer, and how those insights can be translated into practical glycan-based biomarker candidates for early cancer detection or cancer risk assessment.
What is the central scientific goal described in the FOA?
The central goal is to understand how cancer initiation and progression are associated with changes in glycosylation and other carbohydrate-related features on or around cells, and to translate that understanding into biomarker candidates with real diagnostic potential.
What kinds of research projects does NCI want to fund under this FOA?
NCI is looking for projects that connect mechanistic glycobiology to real-world diagnostic potential. The FOA emphasizes moving beyond purely descriptive profiling by requiring a credible path toward distinguishing cancer from non-cancer.
What molecular contexts are considered responsive to the FOA?
Applicants are expected to examine cancer-relevant carbohydrate alterations in one or more major contexts, including glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosaminoglycans, and proteins that bind carbohydrate structures.
Do projects have to focus on all carbohydrate-related contexts listed?
No. Projects can target any one (or more) of the listed layers, as long as the application makes a clear case that the glycan changes being studied are meaningfully tied to cancer biology and could yield measurable abnormalities suitable for biomarker development.
What does the FOA mean by "biomarker candidates" in this context?
Biomarker candidates are glycan-based measurable abnormalities that could potentially be used for early cancer detection or cancer risk assessment, supported by evidence that they are linked to cancer biology and can be evaluated for diagnostic discrimination.
What is a key evaluation requirement for proposed biomarker candidates?
A key requirement is that biomarker candidates be assessed for their ability to accurately differentiate individuals with cancer from individuals without cancer.
Why does the FOA emphasize differentiating cancer vs. non-cancer?
The emphasis on discrimination performance signals that NCI expects projects to incorporate thoughtful study design, appropriate comparison groups, and credible analytical approaches relevant to real diagnostic use rather than molecular discovery alone.
Are clinical validation studies required under this announcement?
No. Clinical validation studies are not required, but the FOA indicates that the most promising candidates are expected to progress to clinical validation eventually.
How should applicants position their work if clinical validation is not required yet?
Strong applications would typically frame discovery and preliminary evaluation in ways that position successful candidates for downstream validation, including consideration of assay robustness, reproducibility, biological specificity, and practical requirements of eventual clinical testing.
What is the role of the Alliance of Glycobiologists for Detection of Cancer initiative?
The FOA sits under the broader Alliance initiative (glycomics.cancer.gov), indicating the awards are intended to contribute to an organized national effort in glycomics-driven cancer detection research rather than isolated projects.
What funding mechanism is used and what does it imply?
The opportunity uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism. This generally means NCI anticipates substantial scientific or programmatic involvement and expects awardees to operate within a coordinated framework.
What collaboration expectations are included in the FOA?
Applicants must plan to participate in trans-Alliance activities, including collaborative projects with other awardees. Investigators should be prepared to share knowledge, align methods where appropriate, and contribute to group efforts that accelerate progress across the Alliance.
Is this opportunity intended for standalone, independent projects?
The FOA describes this as a coordinated program with trans-Alliance collaboration expectations, so applicants should plan for participation in a shared Alliance ecosystem rather than operating as a one-off, isolated project.
When was the FOA posted and what are the key dates listed?
The FOA was posted on July 28, 2011. The original and current closing date is October 7, 2011, and the archive date is November 7, 2011.
What is the estimated total funding level and the award ceiling?
The estimated total funding level listed is $3.5 million, and the award ceiling is $350,000.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What activity categories does this FOA fall under?
The activity categories span cancer cause and prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment, and cancer biology, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of glycobiology in both mechanism and translational detection goals.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The FOA lists CFDA 93.393 through 93.396.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), public and private institutions of higher education, and state governments. It also includes specialized institution categories such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are listed as eligible.
Are foreign components allowed on applications from U.S. organizations?
Yes. The FOA indicates foreign components on applications submitted by U.S. organizations are allowed.
Where were the full announcement and details provided?
The full announcement and details were provided through the NIH Grants Guide (via a link in the source text).
Who is referenced for general access issues related to the announcement?
General access issues were directed to the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact.
What is the simplest way to describe what NCI is trying to fund here?
This FOA is targeted support for collaborative, glycan-focused cancer biomarker discovery and early evaluation, with an explicit expectation that funded teams will contribute to a coordinated Alliance and generate biomarker leads that can realistically move toward clinical validation.
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