Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 12 214
Apply for PA 12 214
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Identifying Non coding RNA Targets for Early Detection of Cancer (R21)" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 19, 2012 and posted on Jun 19, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 7, 2015. (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 $275,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) State governments City or township governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses County governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Special district governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Independent school districts For profit organizations other than small businesses.
- 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) 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 grant opportunity titled "Identifying Non-coding RNA Targets for Early Detection of Cancer (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 12-214) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding announcement under the National Institutes of Health that focuses on advancing early cancer detection research through the study of non-coding RNAs. The core idea is to support exploratory and developmental projects that investigate how non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and the molecular targets they regulate behave in preneoplastic lesions (abnormal tissue changes that can precede cancer) and in very early stage cancers. The announcement emphasizes that understanding these RNA-based regulatory changes early in disease development could reveal measurable signals that help identify cancers sooner, improve screening strategies, and better predict which early lesions are likely to progress into invasive disease.
A major theme of the announcement is biomarker potential, particularly the usefulness of stable microRNAs (miRNAs) and other ncRNAs as indicators of cancer risk and progression. The FOA encourages projects that evaluate whether specific miRNAs or other ncRNA classes can reliably predict progression from preneoplastic states to cancer, and whether these molecules can function as practical biomarkers for early detection and screening. Because many miRNAs and certain ncRNAs can remain stable in clinical specimens, including potentially in minimally invasive sample types, the opportunity highlights translational research aimed at moving from discovery toward test development. In other words, the program is not limited to basic mechanistic work; it also explicitly supports efforts that could help convert stable miRNA findings into screening tools or diagnostic assays that may be used in clinical settings.
While microRNAs receive special attention because of the existing momentum in the field, the FOA is also designed to broaden the scope beyond miRNAs and promote research on all classes of non-coding RNAs. This includes exploring how diverse ncRNA species contribute to early tumor biology, how their regulatory networks might differ between benign, pre-malignant, and early malignant tissues, and how those differences could be exploited for early detection. The overall intent is to build on prior advances in miRNA biology and biomarker research, while accelerating work that maps ncRNA-target relationships and determines which signals are robust enough to support early cancer detection strategies.
This is a discretionary grant opportunity using the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for early stage, high-impact exploratory studies rather than large, long-term projects. The listed award ceiling is $275,000, and the opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds. The program sits within NCI-related activity areas spanning cancer cause and prevention research (CFDA 93.393), cancer detection and diagnosis research (CFDA 93.394), and cancer treatment research (CFDA 93.395), reflecting the broad relevance of early detection biomarkers to multiple parts of the cancer research pipeline.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Government entities are also eligible, such as state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and certain housing authorities. The announcement also includes a wide range of additional eligible applicants, including federally recognized and other tribal governments, tribally controlled colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities. This wide eligibility reflects an intent to attract interdisciplinary teams across molecular biology, genomics, pathology, bioinformatics, assay development, and clinical/translational research.
Key dates indicate the opportunity was posted and created on June 19, 2012, with an original and current closing date of September 7, 2015, and an archive date of October 8, 2015. The full announcement was provided through the NIH grants guide (link listed in the source), and administrative support contacts were provided through the NIH Office of Extramural Research web support for access or technical issues. Overall, PA 12-214 framed ncRNA research as a path toward earlier, more predictive, and more clinically actionable cancer detection, with a particular push to identify stable RNA signals and move them closer to real-world screening and diagnostic applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Identifying Non-coding RNA Targets for Early Detection of Cancer (R21)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA 12-214.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding announcement under the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The FOA supports exploratory and developmental research aimed at advancing early cancer detection by studying non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and the molecular targets they regulate, particularly in preneoplastic lesions and very early stage cancers.
What kinds of biological questions does the FOA emphasize?
The announcement emphasizes understanding how RNA-based regulatory changes happen early in disease development, including how ncRNAs and their target networks differ across benign tissue, pre-malignant (preneoplastic) tissue, and early malignant tissue, and how those differences could be used to detect cancer earlier or predict progression.
What are preneoplastic lesions in the context of this FOA?
Preneoplastic lesions are abnormal tissue changes that can precede cancer. The FOA focuses on how ncRNAs and their regulated targets behave in these lesions and in very early stage cancers, with the goal of identifying signals that may indicate risk or progression.
Is this FOA focused only on microRNAs (miRNAs)?
No. While microRNAs (miRNAs) receive special attention due to momentum in the field and their biomarker potential, the FOA is explicitly intended to broaden research beyond miRNAs and support work on all classes of non-coding RNAs.
Why do microRNAs (miRNAs) receive special emphasis in this opportunity?
The FOA highlights miRNAs because many are stable in clinical specimens and may be practical biomarkers for early detection, screening, and predicting whether early lesions will progress to invasive disease.
What is the role of biomarkers in this FOA?
Biomarker development is a major theme. The FOA encourages projects that evaluate whether specific miRNAs or other ncRNA classes can reliably predict progression from preneoplastic states to cancer and whether these molecules can serve as practical biomarkers for early detection and screening.
Does the FOA support translational research, such as moving toward tests or assays?
Yes. The opportunity highlights translational research that moves from discovery toward test development, including efforts to convert stable miRNA (and other ncRNA) findings into screening tools or diagnostic assays that may be used in clinical settings.
What type of NIH grant mechanism is used for this FOA?
This is an NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for exploratory, developmental, and potentially high-impact studies rather than large, long-term projects.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $275,000.
Is cost sharing or matching funds required?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds.
What NIH/NCI research areas does this opportunity relate to?
The program is described as sitting within NCI-related activity areas spanning cancer cause and prevention research (CFDA 93.393), cancer detection and diagnosis research (CFDA 93.394), and cancer treatment research (CFDA 93.395).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic and non-domestic organizations, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with and without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Are government entities eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible government entities include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and certain housing authorities.
Are tribal organizations and minority-serving institutions eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes federally recognized and other tribal governments, tribally controlled colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and other listed categories.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations are included among eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories, regional organizations, or foreign entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities.
What kinds of teams or disciplines does this FOA aim to attract?
The broad eligibility is intended to attract interdisciplinary teams, including expertise across molecular biology, genomics, pathology, bioinformatics, assay development, and clinical/translational research.
When was this opportunity posted and created?
The key dates list the opportunity as posted and created on June 19, 2012.
What was the closing date for this FOA?
The original and current closing date listed is September 7, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is October 8, 2015.
Where was the full announcement provided?
The full announcement was provided through the NIH grants guide (a link was listed in the source information).
Where could applicants get administrative or technical support for access issues?
Administrative support contacts were provided through the NIH Office of Extramural Research web support for access or technical issues.
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Previous opportunity: Identifying Non coding RNA Targets for Early Detection of Cancer (R01)
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 12 214) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R21) Apply for PA 12 220 Funding Number: PA 12 220 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hematopoietic Malignancies (R01) Apply for PA 12 221 Funding Number: PA 12 221 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cohort Studies of HIV/AIDS and Substance Use (U01) Apply for PAR 12 222 Funding Number: PAR 12 222 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Community level Approaches to Reduce HIV Infection in Highly Impacted Communities (R01) Apply for RFA MH 13 090 Funding Number: RFA MH 13 090 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Community level Approaches to Reduce HIV Infection in Highly Impacted Communities (R21) Apply for RFA MH 13 091 Funding Number: RFA MH 13 091 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing Community level Approaches to Reduce HIV Infection in Highly Impacted Communities (R34) Apply for RFA MH 13 092 Funding Number: RFA MH 13 092 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Addressing Needs of Informal Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimers Disease in the Context of Sociodemographic Factors (R01) Apply for RFA NR 13 001 Funding Number: RFA NR 13 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Physical activity and weight control interventions among cancer survivors Effects on biomarkers of prognosis and survival (R01) Apply for PAR 12 228 Funding Number: PAR 12 228 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Physical activity and weight control interventions among cancer survivors Effects on biomarkers of prognosis and survival (R21) Apply for PAR 12 229 Funding Number: PAR 12 229 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System TRIALS (U01) Apply for RFA DA 13 009 Funding Number: RFA DA 13 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Development of Minimally Invasive Bioassays to Support Outpatient Clinical Trials of Therapeutics for Substance Use Disorders (R21) Apply for PAR 12 238 Funding Number: PAR 12 238 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Clinical Development of Minimally Invasive Bioassays to Support Outpatient Clinical Trials of Therapeutics for Substance Use Disorders (R01) Apply for PAR 12 239 Funding Number: PAR 12 239 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Centers (U24) Apply for RFA CA 12 014 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network (Limited Competition U10) Apply for RFA CA 12 504 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 504 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network Network Group Operations Centers (U10) Apply for RFA CA 12 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers (U10) Apply for RFA CA 12 011 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network Network Group Integrated Translational Science Centers (U10) Apply for RFA CA 12 012 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (U10) Apply for RFA CA 12 013 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/START) (R03) Apply for PAR 12 251 Funding Number: PAR 12 251 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| SBIR Phase IIB Bridge Awards to Accelerate the Development of Cancer Therapeutics, Imaging Technologies, Interventional Devices, Diagnostics, and Prognostics Toward Commercialization (R44) Apply for RFA CA 12 023 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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