Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 15 309
Apply for PAR 15 309
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Basic Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R21)" 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 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 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 Jul 24, 2015 and posted on Jul 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 11, 2018. (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: State governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) 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 Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities City or township governments Independent school districts Small businesses For profit organizations other than 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity "Innovative Basic Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 15 309) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant aimed at supporting exploratory, early-stage research on molecular adducts as measurable signs of exposure to cancer-related risk factors. In this context, "adducts" refers to chemical modifications formed when reactive compounds bind to cellular macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, or proteins. Because many carcinogenic exposures leave behind these kinds of molecular "fingerprints," the program is centered on building fundamental knowledge that could eventually strengthen how researchers detect cancer earlier, prevent it more effectively, or estimate cancer risk more accurately across human populations.
A key emphasis of the announcement is on "adductomic" approaches, meaning research that looks beyond one or two specific adducts and instead addresses broader profiles or the overall landscape of adduct formation. The FOA prioritizes projects that explore the totality of adducts, or meaningful portions of it, with the idea that complex exposure histories in real-world settings are unlikely to be captured by single-marker measurements. The work is expected to remain basic or foundational in nature, but it should be designed with a clear line of sight to potential future utility in cancer detection, prevention, and risk assessment. In other words, the program is not limited to building new assays or cataloging adducts for their own sake; it is trying to move the underlying science toward better tools and insights that can be used in cancer-relevant public health or clinical research settings later on.
The opportunity is explicitly focused on relevance to humans and human populations, but it allows flexibility in how the science is carried out. Projects may use a range of model systems, including cultured cells and animal models, as long as the questions being asked are tied to human cancer risk factors and are informative for understanding adduct formation and meaning in people. The NIH encourages the use of human biospecimens, and in situations where it makes scientific sense, it is "encouraged and expected," but it is not an absolute requirement. This structure supports studies that may need controlled systems for mechanistic discovery while still pushing applicants to maintain clear translational relevance to population exposures and cancer risk.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, this FOA used the R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for innovative, higher-risk, proof-of-concept research rather than large, long-term projects. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity was posted on July 24, 2015, with an original and final closing date of July 11, 2018, and it was archived on August 11, 2018. While the listing includes several activity and CFDA categories (Environmental Health; Mental Health Research Grants; Cancer Cause and Prevention Research; Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research; and Cancer Treatment Research), the scientific description makes clear that the central theme is exposure-related adduct biology and adductomics as they intersect with cancer risk identification and prevention.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with distinctions noted for institutions of higher education); small businesses and other for-profit organizations (with small businesses explicitly listed); and a range of specifically named institution types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs). The eligibility language also includes faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, foreign organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions, reflecting an intent to attract a wide pool of applicants capable of advancing adductomics methods and fundamental exposure-cancer biology.
For additional details and official instructions, the source announcement was hosted through the NIH grants guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-309.html, and the notice provides NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) web support contacts for access or linking issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "Innovative Basic Research on Adducts in Cancer Risk Identification and Prevention (R21)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 15 309.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the overall purpose of this funding opportunity?
The program supports exploratory, early-stage basic research focused on molecular adducts as measurable indicators of exposure to cancer-related risk factors, with the longer-term aim of improving cancer risk identification and prevention.
What are "adducts" in the context of this grant?
In this announcement, "adducts" are chemical modifications created when reactive compounds bind to cellular macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, or proteins. These modifications can act like molecular "fingerprints" of certain exposures, including exposures relevant to cancer risk.
What does "adductomic" or "adductomics" mean here?
"Adductomic" approaches refer to research that examines broader profiles of adducts (the overall landscape of adduct formation, or meaningful portions of it) rather than measuring only one or two specific adducts.
Why does the FOA emphasize adductomics instead of single-adduct measurements?
The announcement highlights that real-world exposure histories are complex and may not be well represented by a single marker. By studying broader adduct profiles, researchers may better capture the combined or layered signatures of cancer-related exposures.
Is this grant meant for basic research or applied/clinical research?
The FOA is centered on basic or foundational research. However, projects are expected to be designed with a clear line of sight to future utility in cancer detection, prevention, and risk assessment.
Does the program support projects that only build assays or catalog adducts?
The description indicates the program is not limited to creating assays or cataloging adducts for their own sake. It is aimed at advancing fundamental knowledge in a way that can inform future tools and insights relevant to cancer detection, prevention, and risk estimation.
What is meant by "relevance to humans and human populations"?
The opportunity is explicitly focused on human relevance, meaning the research questions should be tied to cancer risk factors in people and help interpret what adduct formation and patterns could mean in human populations.
Are non-human model systems allowed?
Yes. The FOA allows a range of model systems, including cultured cells and animal models, as long as the work is tied to human cancer risk factors and is informative for understanding adduct formation and meaning in people.
Are human biospecimens required?
The NIH encourages the use of human biospecimens and notes that in situations where it makes scientific sense, their use is "encouraged and expected." The information provided also states this is not an absolute requirement.
What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This FOA uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for innovative, higher-risk, proof-of-concept or early-stage research rather than large, long-term projects.
What is the funding ceiling for an award under this FOA?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on July 24, 2015. The original and final closing date was July 11, 2018.
Is this funding opportunity still active?
No. The listing indicates it was archived on August 11, 2018.
What research areas or categories are associated with this grant?
The listing includes categories such as Environmental Health; Mental Health Research Grants; Cancer Cause and Prevention Research; Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research; and Cancer Treatment Research. The scientific description emphasizes exposure-related adduct biology and adductomics in connection with cancer risk identification and prevention.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. and non-U.S. organization types. Examples listed include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with distinctions noted for institutions of higher education); small businesses and other for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and eligible federal agencies. The eligibility language also includes foreign organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Are minority-serving institutions included in eligible applicant types?
Yes. The announcement explicitly names a range of institution types, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility language includes faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are foreign organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. Foreign organizations are included in the eligibility language provided.
Where can applicants find the official announcement and instructions?
The source announcement was hosted through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-309.html.
Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement online?
The notice references NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) web support contacts for access or linking issues.
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| Networks and Pathways Collaborative Research Projects (R01) Apply for PA 07 266 Funding Number: PA 07 266 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Role of Nuclear Receptors in Tissue and Organismal Aging (R01) Apply for PAS 07 267 Funding Number: PAS 07 267 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Research Initiative Program, Behavioral/Social Sciences (R01) Apply for PAR 07 328 Funding Number: PAR 07 328 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R01) Apply for PAR 07 344 Funding Number: PAR 07 344 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Psychopharmacology of Widely Available Psychoactive Natural Products (R01) Apply for PA 07 374 Funding Number: PA 07 374 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Psychopharmacology Of Widely Available Psychoactive Natural Products (R03) Apply for PA 07 375 Funding Number: PA 07 375 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Predictive Multiscale Models of the Physiome in Health and Disease (R01) Apply for PAR 08 023 Funding Number: PAR 08 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine (R01) Apply for PA 08 052 Funding Number: PA 08 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine (R21) Apply for PA 08 053 Funding Number: PA 08 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| In Utero Exposure to Bioactive Food Components and Mammary Cancer Risk (R21) Apply for PA 08 141 Funding Number: PA 08 141 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| In Utero Exposure to Bioactive Food Components and Mammary Cancer Risk (R01) Apply for PA 08 140 Funding Number: PA 08 140 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Collaborations with National Centers for Biomedical Computing (R21) Apply for PAR 08 183 Funding Number: PAR 08 183 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Collaborations with National Centers for Biomedical Computing (R01) Apply for PAR 08 184 Funding Number: PAR 08 184 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Metals in Medicine (R01) Apply for PA 08 251 Funding Number: PA 08 251 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanism for Time Sensitive Research Opportunities (R21) Apply for PAR 07 345 Funding Number: PAR 07 345 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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