Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 14 169
Apply for PAR 14 169
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Physical Sciences Oncology Centers (U54)" 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 93.396 Cancer Biology Research 93.399 Cancer Control.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 1, 2014 and posted on Apr 1, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 25, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Special district governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses State governments County governments Private institutions of higher education.
- 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) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Physical Sciences Oncology Centers (U54) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-14-169) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary funding announcement that supports the creation and operation of Physical Science Oncology Centers (PS OCs) through the U54 cooperative agreement mechanism. These centers are intended to function as major hubs within a broader collaborative structure called the Physical Sciences Oncology Network (PS ON). The central idea behind the program is to bring a physical sciences way of thinking into cancer research and, just as importantly, to create durable, team-based collaborations where physical scientists and cancer researchers work side by side on shared problems rather than operating in parallel. In practical terms, NIH is looking for strong, integrated centers that can push cancer research forward by applying approaches from disciplines like engineering, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics in close partnership with cancer biology and clinical oncology expertise, including oncologists and pathologists.
From a goals perspective, the FOA emphasizes three connected outcomes. First, it aims to establish a physical sciences perspective within the cancer research community, meaning it is not only funding individual projects but also trying to influence how cancer is conceptualized, measured, modeled, and tested across the field. Second, it seeks to accelerate true convergence and team science at the intersection of physical sciences and cancer research, which implies organizational structures, shared resources, and collaborative workflows that make cross-disciplinary work routine and productive. Third, the centers and the network as a whole are expected to collectively test physical-science-based experimental and theoretical concepts of cancer and generate innovative solutions to persistent and high-impact questions in oncology. That language signals an interest in mechanistic frameworks, quantitative modeling, new measurement technologies, and theory-driven experimentation that can reshape or challenge existing biological assumptions, rather than incremental extensions of standard approaches.
Because the award is a cooperative agreement (U54), NIH anticipates substantial scientific and programmatic involvement with awardees compared to a typical research project grant. Applicants should read that as a sign that coordination, collaboration, and network participation are not optional extras but core expectations. The PS OCs are meant to operate as a connected system, so successful applications generally need to show not only excellent science but also a credible plan for collaboration across disciplines and contributions to network-level activities that help integrate findings and methods across multiple centers.
The FOA was posted April 1, 2014, with an original and current closing date of November 25, 2015, and it was archived on December 26, 2015. The estimated total funding listed is $1,500,000. The program is categorized under Education and Health activities and is tied to multiple CFDA numbers that span the cancer research continuum, including cancer cause and prevention (93.393), detection and diagnosis (93.394), treatment (93.395), biology (93.396), and control (93.399). No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated, which typically means applicants are not required to provide committed matching funds as a condition of the award.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district, and certain housing authorities). It also includes tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations. The announcement specifically highlights additional eligible applicants such as 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), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies. At the same time, it clearly states that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply and that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which generally means certain project elements may be carried out abroad under NIH rules when well justified, even though the applicant organization itself must be domestic.
For reference and official details, the FOA is available through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-14-169.html. The contact listed for access or linking issues is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Physical Sciences Oncology Centers (U54) funding opportunity?
It is an NIH discretionary funding announcement (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-14-169) that supports the creation and operation of Physical Science Oncology Centers (PS OCs) using the U54 cooperative agreement mechanism. The centers are intended to serve as major hubs in a broader collaborative structure called the Physical Sciences Oncology Network (PS ON).
What does NIH mean by a "Physical Science Oncology Center" (PS OC)?
A PS OC is an integrated, team-based center designed to bring physical sciences thinking directly into cancer research. The emphasis is on physical scientists and cancer researchers working side by side on shared problems, supported by center-level organization rather than isolated, parallel projects.
What is the Physical Sciences Oncology Network (PS ON)?
The PS ON is the larger network structure in which the funded centers operate. PS OCs are expected to function as connected hubs within this network and contribute to network-level integration of methods, findings, and collaborations.
What kinds of disciplines and expertise are expected to be involved?
The opportunity highlights physical sciences and quantitative disciplines such as engineering, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics, working in close partnership with cancer biology and clinical oncology expertise, including oncologists and pathologists.
What are the main goals of this FOA?
The FOA emphasizes three connected outcomes:
- Establish a physical sciences perspective within the cancer research community.
- Accelerate true convergence and team science at the intersection of physical sciences and cancer research.
- Collectively test physical-science-based experimental and theoretical concepts of cancer and generate innovative solutions to persistent, high-impact oncology questions.
What types of research approaches does NIH appear to be encouraging?
Based on the FOA description, NIH is looking for work that can reshape how cancer is conceptualized, measured, modeled, and tested. The language signals interest in mechanistic frameworks, quantitative modeling, new measurement technologies, and theory-driven experimentation that can challenge or reframe existing biological assumptions, rather than incremental extensions of standard approaches.
What funding mechanism is used, and why does it matter?
The mechanism is a U54 cooperative agreement. This matters because NIH anticipates substantial scientific and programmatic involvement compared to a typical research project grant. Coordination, collaboration, and participation in network activities are described as core expectations, not optional add-ons.
How collaborative do applications need to be?
The opportunity is explicitly designed around durable, team-based collaborations. Successful applications generally need to show not only strong science but also credible plans for cross-disciplinary collaboration and meaningful contributions to network-level activities that connect multiple centers.
When was this FOA posted, and what is its status now?
The FOA was posted on April 1, 2014. The original and current closing date listed is November 25, 2015. It was archived on December 26, 2015.
What is the estimated total funding amount listed for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding listed is $1,500,000.
Are cost sharing or matching funds required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated. This typically means applicants are not required to provide committed matching funds as a condition of the award.
How is this program categorized?
The program is categorized under Education and Health activities.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The announcement is tied to multiple CFDA numbers spanning the cancer research continuum:
- 93.393 (cancer cause and prevention)
- 93.394 (detection and diagnosis)
- 93.395 (treatment)
- 93.396 (biology)
- 93.399 (control)
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district, and certain housing authorities). It also includes tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations.
Does the FOA encourage applications from specific institution types?
Yes. The announcement specifically highlights additional eligible applicants such as 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). It also includes faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) institutions eligible to apply?
No. The FOA clearly states that non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization apply if it has a non-U.S. component?
The FOA states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. However, it also states that foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, which generally means certain project elements may be carried out abroad under NIH rules when well justified, even though the applicant organization must be domestic.
Where can applicants find the official FOA text?
The FOA is available through the NIH Grants Guide at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-14-169.html
Who should be contacted for access or linking issues related to the FOA?
The contact listed for access or linking issues is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
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