Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DE 14 002
Apply for RFA DE 14 002
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Functional Characterization of Oral Cancer Initiating Cells (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121 Oral Diseases and Disorders Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 27, 2013 and posted on Mar 27, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 15, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education City or township governments State governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having 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) For profit organizations other than small businesses Special district governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Independent school districts Small businesses.
- 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 Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Functional Characterization of Oral Cancer Initiating Cells (R21) funding opportunity (RFA-DE-14-002) was issued by the National Institutes of Health to support early-stage, exploratory translational research focused on oral cancers. The core goal of the announcement is to accelerate progress in understanding oral Cancer Initiating Cells (CICs), sometimes discussed in the broader cancer field as tumor-initiating or stem-like cancer cell populations. The FOA emphasizes studies that clarify the cellular and molecular features of these CICs, how they behave functionally (for example, how they sustain tumor growth, resist therapy, or drive recurrence), and how their surrounding microenvironment or "niche" influences their survival and tumor-forming potential. Because it uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant mechanism (R21), the opportunity is geared toward high-impact ideas and early proof-of-concept work rather than fully mature projects, encouraging investigators to test innovative hypotheses, develop enabling methods, or generate foundational datasets that can justify larger follow-on studies.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, this was a discretionary grant opportunity under the health activity category, listed under CFDA 93.121 (Oral Diseases and Disorders Research). The FOA was posted on March 27, 2013, with an application deadline of August 15, 2013, and an archive date of September 15, 2013, indicating it is no longer accepting applications. The award ceiling was stated as $200,000, which signals a relatively modest budget consistent with the R21 mechanism and its purpose of supporting exploratory work. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not expected to provide non-federal matching funds as a condition of the award.
Eligibility was broad and included a wide spectrum of applicant organization types across the public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit landscape. Eligible domestic applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Government entities at multiple levels were also eligible, including state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also highlighted eligibility for a range of mission- and community-focused institutions and organizations, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations. Importantly, the announcement explicitly allowed non-U.S. entities to apply, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, and allowed foreign components as defined by NIH policy, as well as non-domestic components of U.S. organizations. Tribal organizations were included both in the federally recognized category and in other tribal government categories identified in the eligibility text.
In practical terms, applicants responding to this FOA would be expected to propose projects that move beyond simply cataloging markers and instead address what makes oral CICs functionally distinct and clinically relevant. That can include investigating the mechanisms that allow CICs to initiate tumors, adapt to stress, evade immune surveillance, or persist after conventional therapies, as well as characterizing the supporting niche factors such as stromal interactions, extracellular matrix cues, inflammatory signaling, hypoxia, vascular or neural influences, and other microenvironmental conditions that may sustain CIC phenotypes. The translational framing suggests the NIH was looking for work that could ultimately inform better diagnostics, prognostic tools, or therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating the specific cell populations and supportive environments most responsible for treatment failure and disease recurrence in oral cancer.
For reference and full official details, the FOA was linked through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DE-14-002.html. Administrative help for access or linking issues was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact listed in the announcement (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and ID of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Functional Characterization of Oral Cancer Initiating Cells (R21)" and is identified as RFA-DE-14-002.
Which agency issued this grant opportunity?
This funding opportunity was issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of research was this FOA intended to support?
It was intended to support early-stage, exploratory translational research focused on oral cancers, with an emphasis on accelerating understanding of oral Cancer Initiating Cells (CICs).
What are Cancer Initiating Cells (CICs) in the context of this FOA?
Within this announcement, CICs refer to oral cancer cell populations discussed in the broader cancer field as tumor-initiating or stem-like cancer cells, which are studied for their potential roles in tumor formation, persistence, and recurrence.
What is the main scientific goal of the announcement?
The core goal is to accelerate progress in understanding oral CICs by clarifying their cellular and molecular features, their functional behaviors, and how the microenvironment ("niche") influences their survival and tumor-forming potential.
What NIH grant mechanism was used for this opportunity?
This opportunity used the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant mechanism (R21), which is designed to support high-impact ideas and early proof-of-concept studies rather than fully mature projects.
What kinds of projects were especially encouraged under the R21 framing?
The FOA encouraged projects that test innovative hypotheses, develop enabling methods, or generate foundational datasets that could support larger follow-on studies.
What scientific emphasis did the FOA place beyond identifying markers?
The FOA emphasized moving beyond simply cataloging markers to address what makes oral CICs functionally distinct and clinically relevant.
What functional behaviors of oral CICs were highlighted as examples?
Examples included how CICs may sustain tumor growth, resist therapy, and drive recurrence.
What role did the microenvironment or "niche" play in the FOA?
The FOA highlighted understanding how the surrounding microenvironment or "niche" influences CIC survival and tumor-forming potential, including supportive factors and conditions that may sustain CIC phenotypes.
What types of niche factors were mentioned as relevant to study?
The announcement referenced niche factors such as stromal interactions, extracellular matrix cues, inflammatory signaling, hypoxia, and vascular or neural influences, along with other microenvironmental conditions that may support CIC phenotypes.
Was the FOA positioned as translational research, and what does that imply here?
Yes. The translational framing indicates the NIH was interested in work that could ultimately inform improved diagnostics, prognostic tools, or therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating the cell populations and supportive environments associated with treatment failure and recurrence in oral cancer.
What was the health activity category and CFDA listing?
This was listed under the health activity category and referenced CFDA 93.121 (Oral Diseases and Disorders Research).
What were the key dates for this FOA?
The FOA was posted March 27, 2013, had an application deadline of August 15, 2013, and an archive date of September 15, 2013.
Is this opportunity still accepting applications?
No. The archive date and listed deadline indicate this FOA is no longer accepting applications.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was stated as $200,000, reflecting a modest budget consistent with the exploratory R21 mechanism.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, so applicants were not expected to provide non-federal matching funds as a condition of the award.
What types of organizations were eligible to apply (in general)?
Eligibility was broad and included a wide range of public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit organization types, as well as various levels of government entities and certain mission- and community-focused institutions.
Which U.S. higher education institutions were eligible?
Eligible domestic applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Were nonprofit organizations eligible, including those without 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The eligibility list included nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status.
Were for-profit organizations and small businesses eligible?
Yes. Eligibility included small businesses and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Which government entities were eligible to apply?
Eligible government entities included state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Were tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Tribal organizations were included, both in the federally recognized category and in other tribal government categories identified in the eligibility text.
Were Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other designated institutions eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlighted eligibility for institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Were faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly mentioned eligibility for faith-based or community-based organizations.
Were foreign organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The announcement explicitly allowed non-U.S. entities to apply, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions.
Did the FOA allow foreign components or non-domestic components of U.S. organizations?
Yes. It allowed foreign components as defined by NIH policy, and also allowed non-domestic components of U.S. organizations.
Where could applicants find the official FOA details?
The FOA was linked through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DE-14-002.html.
Who was listed for administrative help with access or linking issues?
Administrative help for access or linking issues was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact: FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: National Park Service Implementing the Northern Rockies Fire Science Network to facilitate Fire Science Communications Idaho Node
Previous opportunity: Functional Characterization of Oral Cancer Initiating Cells (R01)
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 DE 14 002
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA DE 14 002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| KNOWLEDGE FOR HEALTH II Apply for SOL OAA 13 000048 Funding Number: SOL OAA 13 000048 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Health Funding Amount: $40,000,000 |
| Using Traditional Foods and Sustainable Ecological Approaches for Health Promotion and Diabetes Prevention in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Communities CC RFA DP08 819 Apply for CDC RFA DP13 1317 Funding Number: CDC RFA DP13 1317 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Delta Health Care Services Program Apply for RBS01 2012 DHCS Funding Number: RBS01 2012 DHCS Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Alcohol Use Disorders Treatment, Services, and Recovery Research (R01) Apply for PA 13 160 Funding Number: PA 13 160 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Alcohol Use Disorders Treatment, Services, and Recovery Research (R21) Apply for PA 13 161 Funding Number: PA 13 161 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Alcohol Use Disorders Treatment, Services, and Recovery Research (R03) Apply for PA 13 162 Funding Number: PA 13 162 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Program to Support New Implementation of State or Territorial Public Health Laboratory Capacity for Newborn Bloodspot Screening of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Apply for CDC RFA EH13 1303 Funding Number: CDC RFA EH13 1303 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success (SPF PFS) Apply for SP 13 004 Funding Number: SP 13 004 Agency: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Adminis. Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,260,000 |
| Secondary Analyses of Existing Data Sets and Stored Biospecimens to Address Clinical Aging Research Questions (R01) Apply for PA 13 168 Funding Number: PA 13 168 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Genomic Medicine Pilot Demonstration Projects (U01) Apply for RFA HG 13 004 Funding Number: RFA HG 13 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving HIV Prevention and Treatment Outcomes Among HIV Infected Persons by Integrating Community Pharmacists and Clinical Sites into a Model of Patient centered HIV Care Apply for CDC RFA PS13 1315 Funding Number: CDC RFA PS13 1315 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,300,000 |
| Medical Professionals Recruitment and Continuing Education Programs Apply for HHS 2013 IHS HPR 0001 Funding Number: HHS 2013 IHS HPR 0001 Agency: Indian Health Service Category: Health Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| NIDCR Small Research Grants for Secondary Analysis of FaceBase Data (R03) Apply for PAR 13 178 Funding Number: PAR 13 178 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Undiagnosed Diseases Gene Function Research (R21) Apply for RFA RM 13 003 Funding Number: RFA RM 13 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Implementation Science for Strengthening Use of Evidence in Family Planning/Reproductive Health Programming (ISSUE FP/RH) Apply for SOL OAA 13 000005 Funding Number: SOL OAA 13 000005 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000,000 |
| Child, Newborn, and Maternal Health Project Apply for RFA 391 13 000009 Funding Number: RFA 391 13 000009 Agency: Pakistan USAID Islamabad Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Indo U.S. Vaccine Action Program (VAP) Small Research Grant Program (R03) Apply for PA 13 179 Funding Number: PA 13 179 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| AHRQ Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) Apply for PA 13 181 Funding Number: PA 13 181 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| AHRQ Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Mentored Clinical Investigator Award (K08) Apply for PA 13 180 Funding Number: PA 13 180 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Service Area Competition Additional Area (SAC AA) Tyler, Texas Roxbury, Massachusetts and Bristol, Florida Apply for HRSA 13 277 Funding Number: HRSA 13 277 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: 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 DE 14 002", 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.