Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 09 168
Apply for PA 09 168
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Developmental Projects in Complementary Approaches to Cancer Care and Treatment (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.395 Cancer Treatment Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 17, 2009 and posted on Apr 17, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 7, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses State 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 Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Small businesses Private institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health issued this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to support small, early stage research projects that explore complementary approaches to cancer care and treatment using the NIH R03 (Small Research Grant) mechanism. The program is aimed at generating strong preliminary evidence in humans that can move the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in oncology forward and, importantly, set up future larger and more definitive R01 studies focused on efficacy. In practical terms, this FOA is meant for investigators who have promising ideas but need a modest, time limited award to produce the key data needed to justify a full scale clinical or translational program.
The scientific scope is broad and spans basic, preclinical, and clinical complementary cancer research, as long as the work clearly connects to cancer prevention, diagnosis, or treatment, or to the management of cancer related symptoms and the side effects of conventional cancer therapies. Projects can address supportive care issues such as symptom burden, quality of life, fatigue, pain, nausea, sleep problems, or other treatment associated complications, as well as efforts that might influence core cancer outcomes such as therapeutic response or survival when used alongside standard care. The FOA also emphasizes innovation, encouraging applicants to use emerging technologies and creative study approaches that can open new research directions in integrative oncology.
Several priority areas are highlighted. One is the identification of novel therapeutics derived from Traditional Medical Systems, as defined by the World Health Organization, which can include investigating bioactive compounds, botanicals, or other traditional pharmacopeia candidates with plausible anticancer or symptom management potential. Another focus is studying complementary approaches that could improve the therapeutic ratio of standard and investigational anticancer therapies, meaning strategies that might enhance treatment effectiveness, reduce toxicity, or both. A third emphasized area is lifestyle modification research, including diet, exercise, and mind body approaches, particularly when these interventions are evaluated for measurable impacts on meaningful cancer outcomes such as treatment response, recurrence related endpoints, functional status, survivorship outcomes, or overall survival.
Because this is an R03, the grant is designed for projects that are small in scope, relatively short in duration, and feasible with limited resources. The FOA explicitly notes several project types that fit the mechanism well: pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing datasets, small self contained research projects, and the development of research methods or new research technologies relevant to complementary cancer research. The underlying expectation is that applicants will use the R03 to answer tightly focused questions, refine methods, establish recruitment and adherence feasibility, generate preliminary effect size estimates, validate measures or biomarkers, or otherwise build a credible platform for subsequent larger scale trials or mechanistic studies.
Administratively, this opportunity is identified as PA 09 168 and uses the NIH R03 mechanism. It is listed as a discretionary grant in the health area (CFDA 93.395, Cancer Treatment Research) and does not require cost sharing or matching. It was posted on April 17, 2009, and the original and final closing date was May 7, 2012, with the archive date of June 7, 2012, meaning it is no longer active but remains a useful reference for similar current NIH and NCI funding opportunities. The FOA also notes that it ran in parallel with a companion announcement of the same scientific scope using the R21 mechanism (PA 09 167), which generally supports somewhat larger exploratory or developmental projects.
Eligibility is broad and includes many common NIH applicant organization types. Eligible applicants include public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non 501(c)(3)), for profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and state governments, among others. The eligibility language also includes tribal governments and tribal organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and a range of mission focused institutions and community entities such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and faith based or community based organizations. Importantly, the FOA also allows non U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations, and it includes eligible federal agencies. For applicants trying to determine fit, the key practical point is that NCI intended the program to be accessible to a wide variety of research settings, including community and underserved population contexts, provided the science is rigorous and cancer relevant.
In summary, PA 09 168 was an NCI R03 opportunity designed to catalyze credible early stage human focused complementary oncology research, with an emphasis on innovation, feasibility, and building the evidence base needed to justify later definitive trials and R01 level programs. It supported focused, limited budget projects that test promising complementary interventions, develop better tools and methods for studying them, or mine existing data to identify signals worth pursuing, all within the broader goal of improving cancer prevention, treatment, and symptom management outcomes through scientifically grounded complementary approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is PA-09-168?
PA-09-168 is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that used the NIH R03 (Small Research Grant) mechanism to support small, early stage research projects in complementary approaches to cancer care and treatment.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. It was posted April 17, 2009, and the original and final closing date was May 7, 2012, with an archive date of June 7, 2012. It is no longer active, but it may still be useful as a reference point for similar, current NIH/NCI opportunities.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The FOA was designed to generate strong preliminary evidence in humans for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches in oncology. The intent was to help investigators produce key early data that could support future, larger and more definitive studies, including R01 projects focused on efficacy.
What type of grant mechanism does this FOA use?
This FOA uses the NIH R03 (Small Research Grant) mechanism, which is intended for small, time-limited projects that are feasible with limited resources.
What kind of projects were considered a good fit for an R03 under this FOA?
The FOA specifically identified several project types that fit well, including pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing datasets, small self-contained research projects, and development of research methods or new research technologies relevant to complementary cancer research.
What is meant by "complementary approaches" in this FOA?
Based on the FOA description, complementary approaches include integrative or complementary interventions studied in relation to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and/or management of cancer-related symptoms and side effects from conventional cancer therapies.
Does the FOA require that projects be connected to cancer outcomes?
Yes. The scope includes basic, preclinical, and clinical complementary cancer research, as long as the work clearly connects to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or management of cancer-related symptoms and side effects of conventional cancer therapies.
Does this FOA focus only on symptom management, or can it include core cancer outcomes?
It includes both. Projects could address supportive care outcomes (such as symptom burden and quality of life) and could also explore whether complementary approaches, when used alongside standard care, might influence core cancer outcomes such as therapeutic response or survival.
What supportive care topics were specifically mentioned as examples?
The FOA mentioned symptom burden and quality of life and gave examples such as fatigue, pain, nausea, sleep problems, and other treatment-associated complications.
What does the FOA say about innovation?
The FOA emphasized innovation and encouraged applicants to use emerging technologies and creative study approaches that could open new research directions in integrative oncology.
What priority research areas were highlighted?
The FOA highlighted several priority areas: (1) identification of novel therapeutics derived from Traditional Medical Systems (as defined by the World Health Organization), including bioactive compounds, botanicals, or other traditional pharmacopeia candidates; (2) complementary approaches that could improve the therapeutic ratio of standard and investigational anticancer therapies (enhancing effectiveness, reducing toxicity, or both); and (3) lifestyle modification research including diet, exercise, and mind-body approaches, especially when evaluated for measurable impacts on meaningful cancer outcomes.
What are "Traditional Medical Systems" in this context?
The FOA references Traditional Medical Systems as defined by the World Health Organization, and gives examples of potential research targets such as bioactive compounds, botanicals, and other candidates drawn from traditional pharmacopeias.
What does "improving the therapeutic ratio" mean in this FOA?
In the FOA, improving the therapeutic ratio refers to strategies that might enhance the effectiveness of standard or investigational anticancer therapies, reduce toxicity, or accomplish both when used alongside conventional treatment.
What types of lifestyle interventions were within scope?
The FOA explicitly included diet, exercise, and mind-body approaches as lifestyle modification topics of interest.
What outcomes were lifestyle modification studies encouraged to measure?
The FOA emphasized evaluating lifestyle interventions for measurable impacts on meaningful cancer outcomes such as treatment response, recurrence-related endpoints, functional status, survivorship outcomes, or overall survival.
Were only clinical studies allowed, or could basic and preclinical work be included?
The scope was broad and included basic, preclinical, and clinical complementary cancer research, provided the work clearly connects to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or symptom/side-effect management.
What kinds of "early stage" questions was the R03 intended to answer?
The FOA described expectations such as answering tightly focused questions, refining methods, establishing recruitment and adherence feasibility, generating preliminary effect size estimates, validating measures or biomarkers, and otherwise building a credible platform for later, larger-scale trials or mechanistic studies.
Is the FOA oriented toward human evidence?
Yes. A central aim stated in the FOA was to generate strong preliminary evidence in humans that could move the field forward and support subsequent, more definitive efficacy-focused studies.
What is the companion FOA mentioned, and how does it differ?
The FOA noted a companion announcement with the same scientific scope using the R21 mechanism (PA-09-167). The R21 generally supports somewhat larger exploratory or developmental projects compared to an R03.
What is the CFDA number and program area listed for this opportunity?
The FOA was listed under CFDA 93.395, Cancer Treatment Research.
Does this FOA require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The FOA states that cost sharing or matching is not required.
Who is eligible to apply under this FOA?
Eligibility was broad and included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and state governments, among others.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility language includes tribal governments and tribal organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicants.
Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicant types.
Are minority-serving institutions included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA includes institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.
Can foreign organizations apply?
Yes. The FOA allows non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations.
Are federal agencies eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible federal agencies.
What is the practical intent behind having broad eligibility?
The FOA indicates that NCI intended the program to be accessible to a wide range of research settings, including community and underserved population contexts, as long as the science is rigorous and cancer-relevant.
What overall research stage was this FOA meant to support?
It was meant to catalyze early stage, human-focused complementary oncology research that could establish credibility and generate the preliminary evidence needed to justify later definitive trials and R01-level programs.
What is the expected long-term path after an R03 supported by this FOA?
The FOA frames the R03 as a stepping-stone toward larger and more definitive studies, particularly future R01 studies focused on efficacy, and potentially other larger-scale clinical, translational, or mechanistic research efforts.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 09 168) also looked into and applied for these:
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| Minority Based Community Clinical Oncology Program (U10) Apply for RFA CA 09 023 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Renewal of Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)P20 Apply for PAR 09 180 Funding Number: PAR 09 180 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase III Transitional Centers P30 Apply for RFA RR 09 005 Funding Number: RFA RR 09 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Community Clinical Oncology Program (U10) Apply for RFA CA 09 022 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Technologies and Software to Support Integrative Cancer Biology Research (SBIR) R43/R44 Apply for PA 09 188 Funding Number: PA 09 188 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Technology Development for the Detection and Evaluation of Chemical and Biological Carcinogens (SBIR) R43/R44 Apply for PA 09 187 Funding Number: PA 09 187 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Technology for the Detection and Characterization of Low Abundance Proteins, Peptides, or micro RNAs (SBIR) R43/R44 Apply for PA 09 189 Funding Number: PA 09 189 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Integrating Translational Neuroscience and Adolescent Drug Abuse Treatment (R21) Apply for RFA DA 10 003 Funding Number: RFA DA 10 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| International Research Collaborations on HIV/AIDS and Drug Use (R01) Apply for RFA DA 10 008 Funding Number: RFA DA 10 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs)(U54) Apply for RFA CA 09 012 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $3,200,000 |
| Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (U01) Apply for RFA CA 09 013 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R01) Apply for PA 09 197 Funding Number: PA 09 197 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R21) Apply for PA 09 198 Funding Number: PA 09 198 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Identifying Non coding RNA Targets for Cancer Early Detection and Prevention (R21) Apply for PA 09 200 Funding Number: PA 09 200 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Identifying Non coding RNA Targets for Cancer Early Detection and Prevention (R01) Apply for PA 09 199 Funding Number: PA 09 199 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (U10) Apply for RFA DA 10 009 Funding Number: RFA DA 10 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R21) Apply for PA 09 191 Funding Number: PA 09 191 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Bioenergetics, Fatigability, and Activity Limitations in Aging (R01) Apply for PA 09 190 Funding Number: PA 09 190 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21) Apply for PAR 09 162 Funding Number: PAR 09 162 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Feasibility Studies for Collaborative Interaction for Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership (P20) Apply for PAR 09 201 Funding Number: PAR 09 201 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
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