Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 15 126
Apply for PA 15 126
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early life Factors and Cancer Development Later in Life (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113 Environmental Health 93.393 Cancer Cause and Prevention Research 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 26, 2015 and posted on Feb 26, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 7, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts Special district governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses State governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) 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 NIH funding opportunity "Early Life Factors and Cancer Development Later in Life (R01)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 15-126) supports research aimed at explaining how events and exposures early in life shape cancer risk decades later. The core idea is that cancer prevention could improve substantially if researchers can identify which early-life factors matter most, understand the biological mechanisms that connect those factors to carcinogenesis, and develop measurable markers that signal elevated cancer risk long before a malignancy is clinically detectable. Because many cancers take a long time to develop, the announcement emphasizes the value of intermediate or predictive markers, including markers of premalignant conditions, that can be measured earlier in the life course so researchers do not have to wait 40 to 50 years to observe cancer outcomes.
The FOA highlights several windows of susceptibility across the life span, with a specific focus on maternal and paternal influences, in utero exposures, birth and infancy, puberty and adolescence, and the teenage and young adult years. Projects responsive to this announcement would investigate which factors during these periods are associated with later cancer development and would clarify how these exposures influence biological pathways relevant to tumor initiation and progression. While the announcement does not list a single required exposure type, the framing clearly invites studies of environmental, developmental, behavioral, nutritional, social, and other early-life determinants that could plausibly alter lifelong cancer susceptibility.
A central scientific priority is mechanistic understanding. The FOA calls for research that can connect early-life exposures to biological processes that underlie carcinogenesis, such as long-term changes in tissue development, endocrine signaling, immune function, metabolism, epigenetic programming, inflammatory responses, or other persistent alterations that may increase or decrease cancer risk over time. In practical terms, the announcement is looking for studies that go beyond identifying correlations and instead explain how and why early-life factors become "biologically embedded" in ways that influence cancer outcomes later.
Another major emphasis is biomarker and prediction development. The FOA notes that if investigators can develop markers that predict malignancy or premalignant states based on early-life biology, it would make it possible to evaluate prevention-relevant hypotheses without waiting for cancer incidence in late adulthood. These markers could be used to assess the impact of early exposures, stratify risk, and ultimately guide prevention strategies. The long-term goal described is to enable interventions during pregnancy or early life that could meaningfully reduce cancer risk at the population level, supported by a clearer understanding of causal mechanisms and earlier indicators of risk.
Administratively, this is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity using the R01 research project grant mechanism. It falls under multiple CFDA numbers, including 93.393 (Cancer Cause and Prevention Research), as well as related categories in environmental health and child health and human development (93.113 and 93.865). The FOA indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. It was posted on February 26, 2015, with an original and current closing date listed as January 7, 2018, and an archive date of February 7, 2018, meaning it is no longer active for new submissions under that specific announcement number and dates.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic and non-domestic entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (with the noted exception language around institutions of higher education); small businesses; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations; and additional categories such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, federal agencies, and foreign organizations.
In short, PA 15-126 was designed to push the field toward a life-course approach to cancer etiology and prevention: pinpointing early developmental exposures that shape later cancer risk, uncovering the mechanisms that connect those exposures to carcinogenesis, and creating measurable early markers that make prevention-focused research and interventions feasible on a realistic timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the goal of the NIH funding opportunity "Early Life Factors and Cancer Development Later in Life (R01)" (PA 15-126)?
The goal is to support research that explains how events and exposures early in life can shape cancer risk decades later. The opportunity is centered on a life-course approach to cancer etiology and prevention, with an emphasis on identifying which early-life factors matter most, understanding the biological mechanisms that link those factors to carcinogenesis, and developing measurable markers that can signal elevated cancer risk long before cancer is clinically detectable.
What is the main public health idea behind this opportunity?
The main idea is that cancer prevention could improve substantially if researchers can identify influential early-life factors and understand how those factors become "biologically embedded" over time. If risk can be recognized earlier through intermediate or predictive markers, prevention-oriented hypotheses and strategies could be tested and applied without waiting decades for cancer diagnoses.
Why does the FOA emphasize intermediate or predictive markers?
Many cancers take a long time to develop, and waiting 40 to 50 years to observe cancer outcomes makes prevention research difficult. The FOA therefore emphasizes intermediate or predictive markers (including markers of premalignant conditions) that can be measured earlier in life, allowing researchers to evaluate cancer-relevant pathways and risk much sooner than waiting for late-adult cancer incidence.
What life stages or "windows of susceptibility" are highlighted?
The FOA highlights several windows of susceptibility across the life span, specifically focusing on maternal and paternal influences, in utero exposures, birth and infancy, puberty and adolescence, and the teenage and young adult years.
What kinds of early-life factors or exposures are considered responsive to this FOA?
The announcement does not require a single exposure type. It invites studies of early-life determinants that could plausibly alter lifelong cancer susceptibility, including environmental, developmental, behavioral, nutritional, social, and other early-life factors.
What types of research questions are considered responsive?
Projects are expected to investigate which factors during the highlighted windows of susceptibility are associated with later cancer development and to clarify how those exposures influence biological pathways relevant to tumor initiation and progression.
Is mechanistic research a priority, or is observational association research enough?
Mechanistic understanding is a central priority. The FOA calls for research that connects early-life exposures to biological processes that underlie carcinogenesis. The intent is to go beyond correlations and address how and why early-life factors influence cancer outcomes later in life.
What biological mechanisms does the FOA mention as relevant to carcinogenesis?
The FOA mentions mechanisms and long-term biological changes such as persistent alterations in tissue development, endocrine signaling, immune function, metabolism, epigenetic programming, inflammatory responses, and other long-lasting changes that may increase or decrease cancer risk over time.
How does biomarker development fit into the FOA?
Biomarker and prediction development is a major emphasis. The FOA notes that developing markers that predict malignancy or premalignant states based on early-life biology could make it possible to evaluate prevention-relevant hypotheses without waiting for cancer incidence in late adulthood.
What kinds of biomarkers does the FOA seem to encourage?
Based on the FOA description, it encourages measurable markers that can serve as intermediate or predictive indicators of cancer risk, including markers of premalignant conditions, and markers that can be measured earlier in the life course to support risk stratification and prevention research.
What is the long-term prevention goal described in the FOA?
The long-term goal is to enable interventions during pregnancy or early life that could meaningfully reduce cancer risk at the population level, supported by clearer causal mechanisms and earlier indicators of elevated risk.
What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity using the R01 research project grant mechanism.
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
No. The FOA indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The FOA falls under multiple CFDA numbers, including 93.393 (Cancer Cause and Prevention Research), and related categories in environmental health and child health and human development (93.113 and 93.865).
When was this funding opportunity posted, and is it still active?
It was posted on February 26, 2015. The original and current closing date is listed as January 7, 2018, and the archive date is February 7, 2018. Based on those dates, it is no longer active for new submissions under that specific announcement number and time frame.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic and non-domestic entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status, with noted exception language around institutions of higher education); small businesses; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations; and additional categories such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, federal agencies, and foreign organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. Foreign organizations are included in the listed eligible applicant categories.
Are government entities eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA lists multiple government entities as eligible, including state, county, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments and federal agencies.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education among eligible applicants.
Are small businesses or for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA lists small businesses and for-profit organizations other than small businesses as eligible applicant types.
Are tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations, and also references tribally controlled colleges and universities.
Does the FOA focus only on maternal factors, or does it include paternal influences too?
It includes both. The FOA specifically highlights maternal and paternal influences as part of the windows of susceptibility it aims to study.
What is the basic "life-course" approach described in this FOA?
The life-course approach described involves pinpointing early developmental exposures that shape later cancer risk, uncovering mechanisms connecting those exposures to carcinogenesis, and creating measurable early markers that make prevention-focused research and interventions feasible within a realistic timeline.
What is the funding opportunity number and title that identify this FOA?
The funding opportunity number is PA 15-126, and the title is "Early Life Factors and Cancer Development Later in Life (R01)."
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Previous opportunity: Developing Paradigm Shifting Innovations for in vivo Human Placental Assessment in Response to Environmental Influences (U01)
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| Early life Factors and Cancer Development Later in Life (R21) Apply for PA 15 125 Funding Number: PA 15 125 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Early life Factors and Cancer Development Later in Life (R03) Apply for PA 15 124 Funding Number: PA 15 124 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Lifespan Human Connectome Project Baby Connectome (U01) Apply for RFA MH 16 160 Funding Number: RFA MH 16 160 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,700,000 |
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