Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 12 004
Apply for RFA CA 12 004
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative and Early Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (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 Dec 21, 2011 and posted on Dec 21, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 18, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $800,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments State governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 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) Special district governments Small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) City or township governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 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 National Cancer Institute (NCI) released this R21 funding opportunity to support early, technically innovative feasibility studies that tackle a persistent problem in cancer research: pre-analytical variation in biospecimens. In practical terms, the FOA is focused on what happens to patient- and research-derived specimens before the actual molecular testing begins, including how samples are collected, processed, handled, transported, and stored. Small differences at these steps can significantly change DNA, RNA, protein, metabolite, or cellular readouts, which then affects the reliability and comparability of downstream analyses. The overarching aim of the program is to stimulate the creation of emerging technologies that can interrogate specimen quality and/or help maximize the integrity and usefulness of biospecimens (and derivatives made from them) so that subsequent molecular assays produce more accurate, reproducible, and clinically meaningful results.
The FOA is specifically oriented toward developing tools and methods that either measure quality, protect quality, or define quality in a way that can be consistently verified. Examples of the kinds of outputs envisioned include devices, instrumentation, novel collection or stabilization approaches, and associated analytical or computational methods that can assess sample quality in real time or near real time, preserve or protect sample integrity under real-world conditions, and establish verification criteria that support clear quality assessment and quality control decisions. A key theme is robustness across diverse conditions, meaning technologies that still work when sample types differ, when collection environments are variable, or when handling and storage conditions are not perfectly controlled. By reducing pre-analytical variability, the program aims to strengthen the foundation for a wide range of cancer research areas, including basic cancer biology, prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, and research focused on cancer health disparities, where differences in infrastructure and collection settings can amplify pre-analytical problems.
Because this is an R21 mechanism, the expectation is not a fully mature product but a strong, innovative concept backed by convincing feasibility work and a clear development pathway. The announcement emphasizes that every project must include quantitative milestones, meaning concrete technical metrics that make it possible to judge whether the specific aims were achieved. These milestones function as objective checkpoints, such as measurable improvements in sample integrity, defined limits of detection for a quality assay, performance benchmarks across storage durations or temperatures, reproducibility thresholds, or other numerical criteria appropriate to the technology being proposed.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with NCI as the sponsoring institute. The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-CA-12-004, titled "Innovative and Early Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R21)." It was posted on December 21, 2011, with an original and final closing date of September 18, 2012, and an archive date of October 19, 2012. The estimated total funding listed is $800,000, with an award ceiling of $200,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement noted.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic applicants. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), local and state governments, special district governments, and tribal governments and tribal organizations. The FOA also explicitly includes a range of mission-relevant institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions are eligible to apply, and foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed consistent with NIH policy.
Programmatically, the opportunity aligns with several NIH cancer research assistance listings (CFDA numbers) spanning cancer cause and prevention (93.393), detection and diagnosis (93.394), and treatment (93.395), reflecting the idea that better biospecimen quality strengthens nearly every stage of the cancer research and clinical translation pipeline. The full announcement is referenced at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-12-004.html, and the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact is provided for access or linking issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
This R21 funding opportunity from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH, supports early, technically innovative feasibility studies aimed at reducing pre-analytical variation in biospecimens. It focuses on improving how biospecimen quality is measured, protected, and consistently verified so downstream molecular analyses are more accurate, reproducible, and clinically meaningful.
What does "pre-analytical variation" mean in the context of this FOA?
Pre-analytical variation refers to changes introduced before molecular testing begins, including during specimen collection, processing, handling, transport, and storage. Even small differences in these steps can alter DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, or cellular characteristics and affect the reliability and comparability of downstream assay results.
What kinds of biospecimens and analytes are relevant to the FOA?
The FOA is concerned with patient- and research-derived specimens and how pre-analytical factors influence readouts such as DNA, RNA, protein, metabolite, and cellular measurements, as well as biospecimen derivatives used for molecular assays.
What types of projects does the FOA encourage?
The FOA encourages development of emerging technologies, tools, and methods that can interrogate biospecimen quality, maximize specimen integrity and usefulness, and reduce pre-analytical variability. The emphasis is on technically innovative, early-stage feasibility work appropriate for the R21 mechanism.
What kinds of outputs or deliverables are envisioned?
Examples mentioned include devices, instrumentation, novel collection or stabilization approaches, and associated analytical or computational methods. These outputs should be able to assess specimen quality in real time or near real time, preserve or protect integrity under real-world conditions, and define verification criteria to support quality assessment and quality control decisions.
Does the FOA prioritize real-time or near real-time quality assessment?
Yes. A key set of examples in the FOA includes technologies and methods capable of assessing sample quality in real time or near real time, supporting timely decisions about sample usability and quality control.
What does the FOA mean by technologies that "measure quality," "protect quality," or "define quality"?
The FOA is oriented toward tools and methods that: (1) measure biospecimen quality (for example, quality assays and metrics), (2) protect or preserve quality (for example, stabilization or handling approaches), and/or (3) define quality in a consistent way that can be verified (for example, verification criteria that enable clear QC decisions).
Why is robustness across diverse conditions emphasized?
The FOA emphasizes that technologies should remain effective when sample types differ, collection environments vary, and handling or storage conditions are not perfectly controlled. This is intended to reduce variability introduced by real-world operational differences and to improve consistency across studies and settings.
How does this opportunity relate to cancer research areas?
By reducing pre-analytical variability, the program aims to strengthen the foundation for many areas of cancer research, including basic cancer biology, prevention, detection and diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, and cancer health disparities research (where differences in infrastructure and collection settings can worsen pre-analytical issues).
What funding mechanism is used and what does that imply for project maturity?
The mechanism is an NIH R21. The FOA states that the expectation is not a fully mature product, but a strong and innovative concept supported by convincing feasibility work and a clear development pathway.
Are quantitative milestones required?
Yes. The FOA emphasizes that every project must include quantitative milestones. These should be concrete technical metrics that allow objective evaluation of whether the specific aims were achieved.
What are examples of acceptable quantitative milestones?
The FOA provides examples such as measurable improvements in sample integrity, defined limits of detection for a quality assay, performance benchmarks across storage durations or temperatures, reproducibility thresholds, or other numerical criteria appropriate to the proposed technology.
Who is the sponsoring institute and agency for this opportunity?
The opportunity is a discretionary grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and title?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-CA-12-004. The title is "Innovative and Early Stage Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R21)."
When was the FOA posted and what were the closing dates?
It was posted on December 21, 2011. The original and final closing date listed is September 18, 2012. The archive date is October 19, 2012.
How much funding is available and what is the maximum award amount?
The estimated total funding listed is $800,000, and the award ceiling is $200,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is noted in the information provided.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic applicants. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), local and state governments, special district governments, and tribal governments and tribal organizations.
Are specific institution types explicitly included (for example, HBCUs or Hispanic-serving institutions)?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Foreign institutions are eligible to apply. In addition, foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed, consistent with NIH policy.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity aligns with NIH cancer research assistance listings under CFDA 93.393 (cancer cause and prevention), 93.394 (detection and diagnosis), and 93.395 (treatment).
Where can applicants find the full announcement?
The full announcement is referenced at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-12-004.html
Who is listed as a contact for access or linking issues?
The NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contact is provided for access or linking issues related to the full announcement.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
Next opportunity: Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R33)
Previous opportunity: Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies for Cancer Research (R33)
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 CA 12 004
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 12 004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (R33) Apply for RFA CA 12 005 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NCI Established Investigator Award in Cancer Prevention and Control (K05) Apply for PAR 12 065 Funding Number: PAR 12 065 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) R03 Apply for PAR 12 066 Funding Number: PAR 12 066 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Human Health and Heredity in Africa (H3Africa) Research Grants (U01) Apply for RFA RM 12 004 Funding Number: RFA RM 12 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Small Grants for Behavioral Research in Cancer Control (R03) Apply for PAR 12 035 Funding Number: PAR 12 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral Sciences, and Population Sciences Career Development Award (K07) Apply for PAR 12 067 Funding Number: PAR 12 067 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fogarty HIV Research Training Program for Low and Middle Income Country Institutions (D43) Apply for PAR 12 068 Funding Number: PAR 12 068 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pediatric Phase 1/Pilot Consortium (Limited Competition UM1) Apply for RFA CA 12 502 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 502 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biomechanisms of Peripheral Nerve Damage by Anti Cancer Therapy (R21) Apply for PA 12 083 Funding Number: PA 12 083 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biomechanisms of Peripheral Nerve Damage by Anti Cancer Therapy (R01) Apply for PA 12 082 Funding Number: PA 12 082 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Leadership Group for a Clinical Research Network on Integrated Strategies to Prevent HIV Infection (UM1) Apply for RFA AI 12 011 Funding Number: RFA AI 12 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cutting Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (R21) Apply for PAR 12 086 Funding Number: PAR 12 086 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities (U01) Apply for PAR 12 095 Funding Number: PAR 12 095 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Exploratory/Developmental Grants Program for Basic Cancer Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21) Apply for PAR 12 094 Funding Number: PAR 12 094 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21) Apply for PAR 12 096 Funding Number: PAR 12 096 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Phased Services Research Studies of Drug Use Prevention, Addiction Treatment, and HIV in an Era of Health Care Reform (R21/R33) Apply for RFA DA 13 001 Funding Number: RFA DA 13 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Centers of Excellence in Symptom Science (P30) Apply for RFA NR 12 006 Funding Number: RFA NR 12 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $480,000 |
| Centers of Excellence in Symptom Science Building Research Teams for the Future (P20) Apply for RFA NR 12 009 Funding Number: RFA NR 12 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| NLM Information Resource Grants to Reduce Health Disparities (G08) Apply for RFA LM 12 001 Funding Number: RFA LM 12 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) Apply for PAR 12 121 Funding Number: PAR 12 121 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education 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 CA 12 004", 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.