Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTDD) Network (U01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTDD) Network (U01) funding opportunity?

The Cancer Target Discovery and Development (CTDD) Network (U01) is an NIH cooperative agreement program (RFA-CA-12-006) intended to speed the discovery, validation, and early characterization of new therapeutic targets in cancer, along with the discovery of molecules that can modulate those targets.

What problem is this program trying to address in cancer research?

The program targets a common bottleneck: large consortia and tumor profiling efforts produce massive genomic and molecular datasets across many cancer subtypes, but turning those data into actionable drug targets, tractable assays, and credible response markers is much harder. CTDD aims to bridge that translation gap.

What types of research projects does CTDD (U01) support?

CTDD supports projects that systematically identify and/or characterize candidate cancer targets and projects that identify small molecules capable of modulating already-validated cancer targets. The intent is to generate prioritized targets, candidate modulators, and early evidence that enables downstream therapeutic development.

Is the scientific emphasis on high-throughput or low-throughput research?

The emphasis is on high-throughput, scalable approaches rather than one-off, low-throughput experiments. Projects are expected to use methods that can evaluate many genes, pathways, or compounds in a systematic way.

Does CTDD encourage using large-scale genomic and multi-omics datasets?

Yes. The opportunity highlights in-depth mining of large-scale genomic datasets (such as tumor sequencing and related multi-omics resources), often combined with systems biology analyses and/or experimental platforms.

Are purely computational target predictions sufficient for this opportunity?

No. While computational analyses and systems-level mining are emphasized, projects are expected to move beyond purely computational predictions by providing initial functional evidence that a target matters in cancer biology.

What kind of functional evidence is expected to support a candidate target?

The description indicates that functional evidence could include demonstrating effects on tumor-relevant phenotypes, pathway activity, vulnerabilities, or drug response patterns. The goal is to show early, credible biological relevance.

Does the program support discovery of molecules in addition to targets?

Yes. In addition to discovering and validating targets, CTDD includes the discovery of molecules that can modulate those targets, helping make targets more ready for therapeutic development.

What is the funding mechanism, and why does it matter?

The mechanism is a U01 cooperative agreement. In general, U01 mechanisms imply that NIH typically plays an active partnership role compared with standard investigator-initiated grants, and projects often involve coordination and milestone-driven progress consistent with network-style efforts.

Is CTDD structured as a network program?

Yes. CTDD is described as a network-style effort where coordination and programmatic involvement align with producing broadly useful targets, chemical probes, and early response markers.

What kinds of outputs is CTDD aiming to produce?

The program is oriented toward producing prioritized cancer targets, molecules (including candidate modulators/chemical probes), and early response markers that can feed downstream therapeutic development.

When was this funding opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The opportunity was posted on March 30, 2012. The original and final application due date was June 21, 2012.

Is this funding opportunity still active?

No. The opportunity was archived on July 22, 2012.

Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed in the provided information.

Which NIH/CFDA program areas are associated with this opportunity?

The activity falls under NIH cancer research CFDA areas spanning cause and prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment, and cancer biology: 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, and 93.396.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, state governments, small businesses, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.

Are specific institution categories explicitly included?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes eligibility for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, as well as U.S. territories or possessions.

Can foreign institutions apply?

Yes. Foreign institutions may apply, and foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed, consistent with NIH policy definitions for foreign involvement.

Does CTDD focus on a single cancer subtype or multiple cancer subtypes?

The description emphasizes leveraging large-scale data generated across many cancer subtypes and converting those data into actionable targets and modulators, suggesting applicability across multiple cancer contexts rather than a single subtype focus.

How does CTDD relate to downstream therapeutic development?

CTDD is positioned to create early, high-confidence evidence around targets and modulators (and related response markers) that can spark or accelerate therapeutic programs by making targets more tractable and better validated for later-stage development.