Studies of Energy Balance and Cancer in Humans (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Studies of Energy Balance and Cancer in Humans (R01) - PA 07-176

What is the "Studies of Energy Balance and Cancer in Humans (R01)" opportunity (PA 07-176)?

PA 07-176 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement that supports human-focused research to improve scientific understanding of how energy balance relates to cancer. It aims to clarify how factors that shape energy balance may influence cancer risk, outcomes after diagnosis (prognosis), and cancer survivors' quality of life.

What does "energy balance" mean in the context of this funding announcement?

In this announcement, energy balance refers to factors and processes related to diet, physical activity, body weight and body composition, metabolism, and related behaviors or exposures. The program is interested in how these elements connect to cancer development and progression through biological and behavioral mechanisms.

What is the overall goal of the research supported by PA 07-176?

The goal is to generate knowledge explaining why and how energy balance affects cancer development and progression, with the expectation that stronger evidence will improve cancer prevention and control strategies.

What kinds of outcomes does the FOA consider relevant to cancer?

The announcement highlights three broad outcome areas: cancer risk (development), cancer outcomes after diagnosis (prognosis), and cancer survivors' quality of life.

Is this opportunity limited to one specific study type?

No. The announcement is intentionally broad and will consider multiple types of human-focused studies, including analyses of existing data and studies involving additional data collection.

Can applicants propose analyses using existing datasets?

Yes. PA 07-176 explicitly allows new analyses of existing datasets, such as reanalysis of established cohort studies, clinical datasets, or previously collected behavioral and biomarker data.

Can applicants collect new data or specimens under this opportunity?

Yes. The announcement also supports studies that involve additional data collection or the collection of new biological specimens within ongoing investigations, especially when new measurements, biospecimens, or follow-up data could substantially improve understanding of the energy balance-cancer connection.

Is the funding mechanism for this opportunity an R01?

Yes. PA 07-176 uses the NIH R01 mechanism (Research Project Grant), which supports discrete, investigator-driven research projects.

Is there a related or companion funding opportunity?

Yes. PA 07-176 is described as running in parallel with a companion announcement of the same scientific scope using the R21 mechanism (PA 06-405), which is typically intended for exploratory or early-stage projects.

Does PA 07-176 allow competitive supplements to existing awards?

Yes. In addition to new R01 applications, NIH invites competitive supplement applications to certain existing National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded awards, specifically including R01, P01, P30, and U01 grants, when the proposed expansion aligns with this FOA's objectives.

Which existing grant mechanisms are explicitly mentioned as eligible for competitive supplements?

The announcement lists NCI-funded R01, P01, P30, and U01 awards as eligible targets for competitive supplement applications under PA 07-176.

Which NIH institute is specifically referenced in relation to eligible existing awards?

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is explicitly referenced, particularly for competitive supplement eligibility to certain NCI-funded awards.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The listed CFDA numbers are 93.393 (Cancer Cause and Prevention Research) and 93.399 (Cancer Control).

What category of grant opportunity is this?

It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity within the broader health and education activity category.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are generally not expected to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. It includes many types of domestic organizations and governments (such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profits including small businesses, independent school districts, and various governmental entities). Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are also listed. Foreign institutions are also eligible to apply.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions allowed to apply?

Yes. The announcement notes that foreign institutions are eligible, allowing international research teams to propose human studies that fit the FOA's objectives.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations are listed as eligible, including small businesses and other for-profit entities.

Are nonprofits eligible?

Yes. Nonprofits are included among eligible applicants, including nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (with noted exception language in the eligibility description).

Are governmental entities eligible?

Yes. Eligibility includes a range of governmental entities, including state, county, city/township, special district governments, and public/Indian housing authorities.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as other tribal organizations, are listed as eligible.

Does the announcement have a single application deadline?

No. The announcement uses multiple receipt dates rather than a single deadline. The specific due dates are referenced in the full announcement.

Are funding levels and the number of awards guaranteed?

No. The announcement states that awards depend on availability of funds and on receiving a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Award totals may vary based on budget conditions and application quality.

When was PA 07-176 posted, and is it still active?

The posting timeframe noted is December 15, 2006, and the archive date is June 1, 2009. This indicates the announcement was time-limited and is now archived.

Where can the full text of the funding announcement be found?

The full text was provided through the NIH grants guide at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-176.html

Who is listed as a contact for access or technical issues?

The contact listed for access or technical issues is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV. This contact is presented in the excerpt as a point of contact for access/linking or technical matters rather than scientific program questions.