Imaging and Biomarkers for Early Cancer Detection (R01) | Apply Online

FAQs: NIH PAR-13-189 - Imaging and Biomarkers for Early Cancer Detection (R01)

What is PAR-13-189?

PAR-13-189 is an NIH funding opportunity announcement titled "Imaging and Biomarkers for Early Cancer Detection (R01)." It supports research projects focused on improving cancer screening and early detection/diagnosis by deliberately integrating medical imaging approaches with biomarker-based testing.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The goal is to advance early cancer detection by combining two major approaches that often have limitations when used alone: imaging and biomarkers. The FOA emphasizes integration because standalone imaging or standalone biomarkers may not consistently deliver the sensitivity, specificity, and workable clinical pathways needed for reliable screening and early diagnosis across different cancers and populations.

What kinds of projects are considered responsive to this FOA?

Projects are expected to develop and validate strategies that integrate multi-modality imaging with multiplexed biomarker methodologies to improve the accuracy and usefulness of early detection and diagnostic workflows. The emphasis is on true integration rather than two parallel research tracks.

What does "integrating imaging and biomarkers" mean in practical terms?

In practical terms, this FOA points toward projects where imaging and biomarker testing inform each other within a unified strategy. Examples described include multi-modality imaging (using complementary imaging techniques to improve detection or characterization of suspicious lesions) and multiplexed biomarker panels (measuring multiple proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites, or other molecular signals together) in a way that improves decision-making for screening or diagnosis.

What are examples of imaging approaches mentioned in the opportunity description?

The description references "multi-modality imaging," meaning the use of complementary imaging techniques together to improve detection or characterization of suspicious lesions.

What are examples of biomarker approaches mentioned in the opportunity description?

The FOA description highlights "multiplexed biomarker methodologies," such as panels of proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites, or other molecular signals measured together.

Why does the FOA emphasize combining these approaches instead of using just one?

The FOA is based on the idea that imaging alone or biomarkers alone may not always deliver the sensitivity, specificity, or practical workflow required for reliable screening and early diagnosis. By combining the approaches, projects aim to improve accuracy and real-world utility.

What funding mechanism does this opportunity use?

This FOA uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which is intended for full research projects with clear hypotheses, well-justified aims, and a solid plan to produce generalizable knowledge, tools, or evidence that can move the early cancer detection field forward.

What does the R01 focus imply about project scope and expectations?

Because the mechanism is an R01, projects are expected to be full-scale research efforts with clearly articulated hypotheses and aims, along with a strong plan for producing results that are generalizable and useful to the broader early cancer detection and diagnosis landscape.

What real-world screening and clinical workflow issues does the FOA expect applicants to consider?

The FOA notes that improving screening and early detection/diagnosis typically involves addressing practical constraints such as false positives, false negatives, overdiagnosis, patient burden, cost, and feasibility in clinical workflows.

Is this opportunity focused on screening, diagnosis, or both?

It is focused on improving cancer screening and early detection/diagnosis pathways. The language used in the description includes both screening and early detection/diagnosis.

What types of expertise or team composition does the FOA suggest?

The FOA suggests cross-disciplinary, collaborative projects that may span radiology and imaging science, molecular diagnostics and assay development, oncology, pathology, biostatistics, computational analysis, and clinical study design, reflecting the goal of genuine integration across methods and workflows.

Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.394, Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research.

Does this funding opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?

No. The information provided states that the FOA does not require cost sharing or matching.

When was the FOA posted?

The FOA was posted on April 11, 2013.

What was the closing date for submissions under this FOA?

The original and final closing date for this FOA was December 11, 2015.

Is PAR-13-189 still active?

No. The FOA was archived on January 11, 2016, which means it is no longer active for new submissions under that specific announcement number.

What does it mean that the FOA is archived?

Based on the information provided, "archived" means the announcement is no longer active for new submissions under PAR-13-189.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. organization types and governmental units, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including city/township and county governments), special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and a range of nonprofit and for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profit entities).

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA allows applications from tribal governments and tribal organizations.

Does the FOA specifically include minority-serving institutions?

Yes. It explicitly includes institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs).

Can foreign (non-U.S.) organizations apply?

Yes. The FOA states that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are eligible to apply.

Are foreign components of U.S. organizations allowed?

Yes. Foreign components of U.S. organizations are permitted as allowed under NIH policy.

Where can applicants find the official FOA text?

NIH provided an additional information link to the full FOA on the NIH grants site.

Where can applicants get technical help related to the FOA?

General technical help contacts were routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email.