Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 09 014
Apply for RFA CA 09 014
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (CNTCs)(R25)" 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 93.399 Cancer Control.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 9, 2009 and posted on Oct 9, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 17, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments City or township governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education 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 U.S. Territory or Possession.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (CNTCs) opportunity (RFA-CA-09-014) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH grant solicitation aimed at building specialized training centers that grow the next generation workforce in cancer nanotechnology. These CNTCs are meant to operate as a key training component within the larger NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer (nano.cancer.gov). In that broader Alliance structure, CNTCs complement other program elements, including Centers for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs), Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (CNPPs), and a separate K99/R00 career transition program. The overall idea is to strengthen cancer research by deliberately training scientists who can work across disciplinary boundaries where nanotechnology, engineering, chemistry, physical sciences, and biomedical/clinical cancer research meet.
The main purpose of a CNTC is to establish an innovative research education program that is strongly multidisciplinary and centered on hands-on, mentored, laboratory-based research. Rather than being primarily classroom-driven, the program emphasis is on trainees participating in dedicated training research projects under mentorship, so they develop practical skills, cross-field fluency, and the ability to collaborate in team science settings. The FOA still allows and encourages additional educational components like courses, seminars, workshops, and other structured learning activities, but those are positioned as supporting elements around the core lab training experience.
The intended trainees are graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from a wide range of backgrounds. The FOA is explicit that CNTCs should recruit and train participants spanning medicine, biology, and other health sciences as well as physical sciences, chemistry, and engineering. This cross-pollination is central to the program: the goal is not just to train more specialists in one lane, but to produce researchers who can translate between disciplines and push cancer nanotechnology forward in areas such as detection, diagnosis, treatment, and cancer control.
Funding is provided through the NIH Research Education (R25) mechanism, which is designed for structured education and training programs rather than standard investigator-initiated research project grants. Within this mechanism, CNTC funds support the training projects themselves and may also be used to support participant salaries for up to two years, which helps programs provide sustained, immersive research experiences. The announcement also notes an administrative restriction typical of institutional training-style awards: research education programs supported by this funding are generally not transferable from one institution to another unless there is a strong justification.
From a program and competition standpoint, the FOA is open to all qualified applicants, including institutions that did not participate in earlier rounds of the Alliance program. It is also clearly positioned as one part of a coordinated set of solicitations, with separate FOAs for the related Alliance components: CCNEs using the U54 mechanism (RFA-CA-09-012), CNPPs using the U01 mechanism (RFA-CA-09-013), and K99/R00 awards under RFA-CA-09-015. This matters because applicants may need to understand how a proposed CNTC would interface with, leverage, or complement other Alliance-funded activities even though the application is submitted under the R25 education mechanism.
The NCI set aside about $2.5 million in total costs for fiscal year 2010 for this CNTC competition, with an expectation of roughly 3 to 5 awards. The listed award ceiling is $400,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which reduces barriers for eligible organizations.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations), and multiple levels of government (state, county, and city or township governments). U.S. territories or possessions are also included under additional eligibility language. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary grant funding under an education/health activity area and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers tied to cancer research domains (including cause and prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment, and cancer control).
Key dates indicate the FOA was posted October 9, 2009, with an application closing date of December 17, 2009, and an archive date of January 17, 2010. The full announcement is available through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-014.html, and NIH’s Office of Extramural Research provides contact support for access or linking issues via FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (CNTCs) - RFA-CA-09-014
What is the Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (CNTCs) funding opportunity?
The Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (CNTCs) opportunity (RFA-CA-09-014) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH grant solicitation to build specialized training centers that develop the next-generation workforce in cancer nanotechnology.
What is the main goal of a CNTC?
The main goal is to establish an innovative, strongly multidisciplinary research education program centered on hands-on, mentored, laboratory-based research so trainees gain practical skills and the ability to work across disciplines in team science environments.
How does a CNTC fit within NCI's larger nanotechnology efforts?
CNTCs are intended to operate as a key training component within the larger NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer (nano.cancer.gov). They complement other Alliance elements such as Centers for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs), Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (CNPPs), and a separate K99/R00 career transition program.
Is this grant primarily for research or for training?
This opportunity is for training and research education. It uses the NIH Research Education (R25) mechanism, which is designed for structured education and training programs rather than standard investigator-initiated research project grants.
What kind of training experience is the CNTC expected to provide?
The core emphasis is on trainees participating in dedicated training research projects under mentorship in laboratory settings. The program is meant to be immersive and practical rather than primarily classroom-driven.
Are classroom or structured educational activities allowed under the CNTC model?
Yes. The FOA allows and encourages additional educational components such as courses, seminars, workshops, and other structured learning activities, but positions them as supporting elements around the core mentored lab training experience.
Who are the intended trainees?
The intended trainees are graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
What disciplinary backgrounds should CNTCs recruit from?
The FOA is explicit that CNTCs should recruit and train participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including medicine, biology, and other health sciences as well as physical sciences, chemistry, and engineering.
Why is multidisciplinary training emphasized in this program?
The goal is to deliberately train scientists who can work across disciplinary boundaries where nanotechnology, engineering, chemistry, physical sciences, and biomedical/clinical cancer research meet, and who can collaborate effectively in team science settings.
What cancer-related areas is the training meant to advance?
The training is intended to strengthen cancer research and advance cancer nanotechnology in areas such as detection, diagnosis, treatment, and cancer control.
What funding mechanism supports CNTCs?
Funding is provided through the NIH Research Education (R25) mechanism.
Can CNTC funds support participant salaries?
Yes. CNTC funds may be used to support participant salaries for up to two years, helping programs provide sustained, immersive research experiences.
Is a CNTC award transferable if the program moves to another institution?
Generally, no. The announcement notes an administrative restriction typical of institutional training-style awards: research education programs supported by this funding are generally not transferable from one institution to another unless there is a strong justification.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) organizations), and multiple levels of government (state, county, and city or township governments). U.S. territories or possessions are also included under additional eligibility language.
Is the competition limited to institutions already participating in the NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer?
No. The FOA is open to all qualified applicants, including institutions that did not participate in earlier rounds of the Alliance program.
Are there related funding opportunities within the Alliance that applicants should be aware of?
Yes. CNTCs are one part of a coordinated set of solicitations with separate FOAs for related Alliance components: CCNEs using the U54 mechanism (RFA-CA-09-012), CNPPs using the U01 mechanism (RFA-CA-09-013), and K99/R00 awards under RFA-CA-09-015.
How many awards does NCI expect to make under this CNTC solicitation?
NCI expected roughly 3 to 5 awards for this CNTC competition.
How much funding did NCI set aside for the CNTC competition?
NCI set aside about $2.5 million in total costs for fiscal year 2010 for this competition.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $400,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was the FOA posted, and what were the key dates?
The FOA was posted on October 9, 2009. The application closing date was December 17, 2009, and the archive date was January 17, 2010.
Where can applicants find the full FOA text?
The full announcement is available through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-014.html.
Who can be contacted for help with access or linking issues to the FOA?
NIH's Office of Extramural Research provides contact support for access or linking issues via FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary grant funding under an education/health activity area and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers tied to cancer research domains (including cause and prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment, and cancer control).
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
Next opportunity: MBRS Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) (R25)
Previous opportunity: Americas Historical and Cultural Organizations Implementation Grants
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA CA 09 014
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 09 014) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01) Apply for PA 10 012 Funding Number: PA 10 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R03) Apply for PA 10 011 Funding Number: PA 10 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R34) Apply for PA 10 013 Funding Number: PA 10 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R33) Apply for RFA CA 10 002 Funding Number: RFA CA 10 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Application and Early Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Cancer Research (R21) Apply for RFA CA 10 003 Funding Number: RFA CA 10 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Innovative Technology Development for Cancer Research (R21) Apply for RFA CA 10 005 Funding Number: RFA CA 10 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies for Cancer Research (R33) Apply for RFA CA 10 004 Funding Number: RFA CA 10 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Innovative and Early Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R21) Apply for RFA CA 10 001 Funding Number: RFA CA 10 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment Research Data (R01) Apply for PAR 10 018 Funding Number: PAR 10 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Drug Abuse Dissertation Research Epidemiology, Prevention, Treatment, Services, and/or Women and Sex/Gender Differences (R36) Apply for PAR 10 020 Funding Number: PAR 10 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| AIDS Science Track Award for Research Transition (R03) Apply for PAR 10 021 Funding Number: PAR 10 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| State and Community Tobacco Control Policy and Media Research (U01) Apply for RFA CA 10 008 Funding Number: RFA CA 10 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Effectiveness Research on Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Patients (U01) Apply for RFA HL 10 020 Funding Number: RFA HL 10 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development, Application, and Evaluation of Prediction Models for Cancer Risk and Prognosis (R01) Apply for PA 10 025 Funding Number: PA 10 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development, Application, and Evaluation of Prediction Models for Cancer Risk and Prognosis (R21) Apply for PA 10 026 Funding Number: PA 10 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Development and Application of PET and SPECT Imaging Ligands as Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and for Pathophysiological Studies of CNS Disorders (Phased Innovation Award R21/R33) Apply for PAR 10 024 Funding Number: PAR 10 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development and Application of PET and SPECT Imaging Ligands as Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and for Pathophysiological Studies of CNS Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 10 023 Funding Number: PA 10 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Epigenetic Approaches in Cancer Epidemiology (R01) Apply for PA 10 031 Funding Number: PA 10 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Epigenetic Approaches in Cancer Epidemiology (R21) Apply for PA 10 032 Funding Number: PA 10 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (U54) Apply for RFA CA 10 006 Funding Number: RFA CA 10 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA CA 09 014", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
