Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 12 016
Apply for RFA CA 12 016
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group A (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 93.396 Cancer Biology Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 21, 2012 and posted on Sep 21, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 2013. (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.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 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) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments County governments City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education Special district governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled 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 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Research Answers to NCI's Provocative Questions, Group A (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-CA-12-016) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding call designed to push cancer research toward questions that are important, puzzling, and often overlooked. Instead of broadly funding any cancer-related topic, this FOA is tied to the NCI Provocative Questions initiative, which identifies specific problems and paradoxes in cancer biology, detection, prevention, and treatment that the field has struggled to explain or has not prioritized enough. The central idea is to encourage researchers to bring fresh thinking and innovative approaches to clearly defined scientific questions, especially where conventional approaches have stalled or where there are contradictions in existing evidence.
This announcement uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally meant for exploratory and developmental projects. In practical terms, it is a way to support early-stage, higher-risk ideas that are grounded in solid rationale but may still need proof-of-concept data. The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $200,000, and the program anticipated making about 6 awards. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity areas span multiple cancer-related CFDA categories: cancer cause and prevention research (93.393), cancer detection and diagnosis research (93.394), cancer treatment research (93.395), and cancer biology research (93.396). There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which means applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.
A major defining feature of this FOA is its focus on "provocative questions" rather than investigator-selected topics alone. These questions are not presented as a complete summary of NCI priorities or the entire cancer research landscape. Instead, they are intentionally selective, meant to spotlight areas where progress has been slower than expected, where findings conflict, or where the field has lacked the tools, incentives, or conceptual frameworks to move forward. Projects proposed under this announcement are expected to address one or more of these specific questions using sound and innovative research strategies, meaning applicants should be prepared to show both creativity and scientific rigor, with a clear plan for how the work could resolve the targeted problem or paradox.
Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as specified), small businesses, and for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses). Government entities are also eligible, including state, county, and city or township governments, special district governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government. The FOA also explicitly includes various mission-focused and capacity-building 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, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Tribal organizations and governments are eligible, including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal entities, along with U.S. territories or possessions. Importantly, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations are listed as eligible as well, reflecting NIH's willingness to support strong ideas regardless of geography when they fit the scientific aims of the program.
From an administrative timeline standpoint, the FOA was posted and created on September 21, 2012, with an original and current closing date of June 20, 2013, and it was archived on July 21, 2013. While that means this specific announcement is no longer open, it remains a useful reference point for how NCI has structured the Provocative Questions funding concept and what it tends to look for in applications aligned with that initiative.
The awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through the National Cancer Institute, and applicants were directed to the full announcement text via the NIH grants guide link provided. For access or technical issues related to the announcement, the listed contact support was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Research Answers to NCI's Provocative Questions, Group A (R21)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-CA-12-016.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the purpose of this FOA?
This FOA is designed to push cancer research toward questions that are important, puzzling, and often overlooked. It is tied to NCI's Provocative Questions initiative, which highlights specific problems and paradoxes in cancer biology, detection, prevention, and treatment that have been difficult to explain, slow to progress, or not prioritized.
How is this opportunity different from a typical cancer research funding call?
Rather than broadly supporting any cancer-related topic, this FOA emphasizes research that directly addresses one or more of NCI's identified "provocative questions." The focus is intentionally selective and aims to stimulate fresh thinking and innovative approaches in areas where conventional approaches have stalled or evidence is contradictory.
What does "Provocative Questions" mean in this context?
"Provocative Questions" refers to a set of specific scientific questions identified by NCI to spotlight areas where progress has been slower than expected, where findings conflict, or where the field lacks adequate tools, incentives, or conceptual frameworks. Applicants are expected to propose projects that address one or more of these targeted questions.
What funding mechanism does this FOA use?
This announcement uses the NIH R21 mechanism.
What does the NIH R21 mechanism generally support?
The R21 mechanism is generally intended for exploratory and developmental projects. In practical terms, it supports early-stage, higher-risk ideas that have a strong rationale but may still require proof-of-concept data.
What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $200,000.
About how many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated making about 6 awards.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Which research areas or CFDA categories are included?
The activity areas span multiple cancer-related CFDA categories: cancer cause and prevention research (93.393), cancer detection and diagnosis research (93.394), cancer treatment research (93.395), and cancer biology research (93.396).
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as specified), small businesses, and for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses). Government entities are also eligible, including state, county, and city or township governments, special district governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government.
Are minority-serving and mission-focused institutions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes 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).
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Tribal organizations and governments are eligible, including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal entities.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicants.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations are listed as eligible.
What kinds of projects are expected to be competitive under this FOA?
Projects are expected to address one or more of the specific provocative questions using sound and innovative research strategies. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate creativity and scientific rigor, with a clear plan for how the work could resolve the targeted problem or paradox.
Does this FOA represent all NCI priorities in cancer research?
No. The provocative questions are not presented as a complete summary of NCI priorities or the entire cancer research landscape. They are intentionally selective and designed to highlight specific areas needing new approaches.
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted and created on September 21, 2012.
What was the closing date for applications?
The original and current closing date listed is June 20, 2013.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The announcement was archived on July 21, 2013, which indicates it is no longer open.
Why might this archived FOA still be useful?
Even though it is no longer open, it can still serve as a reference for how NCI structured the Provocative Questions concept and what it tends to look for in applications aligned with that initiative.
Where were applicants directed for the full announcement text?
Applicants were directed to the full announcement text via the NIH grants guide link provided in the original posting.
Who was listed as the contact for access or technical issues?
For access or technical issues related to the announcement, the listed contact support was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
Next opportunity: Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group B (R01)
Previous opportunity: Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group A (R01)
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 12 016
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 12 016) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group B (R01) Apply for RFA CA 12 017 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group B (R21) Apply for RFA CA 12 018 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group C (R01) Apply for RFA CA 12 019 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group C (R21) Apply for RFA CA 12 020 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group D (R01) Apply for RFA CA 12 021 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Answers to NCIs Provocative Questions Group D (R21) Apply for RFA CA 12 022 Funding Number: RFA CA 12 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancer for Years 2013 and 2014 (P50) Apply for PAR 12 296 Funding Number: PAR 12 296 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Abuse Aspects of HIV/AIDS (R01) Apply for PA 12 293 Funding Number: PA 12 293 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Abuse Aspects of HIV/AIDS (R03) Apply for PA 12 294 Funding Number: PA 12 294 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Drug Abuse Aspects of HIV/AIDS (R21) Apply for PA 12 295 Funding Number: PA 12 295 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanism for Time Sensitive Drug Abuse Research (R21) Apply for PAR 12 297 Funding Number: PAR 12 297 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) for NCI designated Cancer Centers (P30) Apply for PAR 12 298 Funding Number: PAR 12 298 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2013 American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program Worldwide Apply for APS ASHA 13 000001 Funding Number: APS ASHA 13 000001 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| NLM Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health (G13) Apply for PAR 13 014 Funding Number: PAR 13 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Prescription Drug Abuse (R01) Apply for PA 13 015 Funding Number: PA 13 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Prescription Drug Abuse (R21) Apply for PA 13 016 Funding Number: PA 13 016 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Early Stage Innovative Molecular Analysis Technology Development for Cancer Research (R21) Apply for RFA CA 13 001 Funding Number: RFA CA 13 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Molecular Analysis Technologies for Cancer Research (R33) Apply for RFA CA 13 002 Funding Number: RFA CA 13 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Early Stage Development of Innovative Technologies for Biospecimen Science (R21) Apply for RFA CA 13 003 Funding Number: RFA CA 13 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Technologies for Biospecimen Science (R33) Apply for RFA CA 13 004 Funding Number: RFA CA 13 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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 12 016", 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.