Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 09 026
Apply for RFA CA 09 026
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Biology of Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer in Various Racial and Ethnic Groups (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.396 Cancer Biology Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 13, 2009 and posted on Aug 13, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 5, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $667,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) County governments City or township governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments Small businesses.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Regional Organizations 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 "The Biology of Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer in Various Racial and Ethnic Groups (U01)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-CA-09-026) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) initiative designed to push forward a coordinated, in-depth understanding of estrogen receptor (ER) negative breast cancers in humans. The central idea is to support research that goes beyond describing ER-negative disease in broad strokes and instead systematically maps out its underlying biology, including the molecular features that define these tumors and the signaling pathways and cellular networks that allow them to grow, survive, and progress. A major emphasis of the announcement is understanding whether, and how, the biology of ER-negative breast tumors differs among racial and ethnic groups, with the expectation that this knowledge will directly strengthen future early detection approaches and intervention strategies.
Scientifically, the FOA is aimed at several tightly connected goals. It seeks studies that clarify the basic biology of ER-negative breast cancers while also drawing clear comparisons between ER-positive and ER-negative disease, since these categories often behave differently clinically and can respond differently to therapies. It also calls for research that identifies and defines subtypes within ER-negative breast cancer, recognizing that ER-negative disease is not one uniform entity but likely a collection of biologically distinct tumor subgroups with different drivers and vulnerabilities. On top of that, applicants are expected to address tumor heterogeneity and to determine whether particular ER-negative subtypes, pathways, or molecular patterns are more common or operate differently across racial and ethnic populations. The overall intent is to pinpoint biologic drivers that can explain differences in risk, tumor behavior, and outcomes, and to turn those insights into practical leads for prevention, screening, or treatment development.
From a research approach standpoint, NCI is explicitly looking for collaborative, interdisciplinary teams rather than isolated single-lab efforts. The FOA highlights the need to characterize the biologic drivers of ER-negative breast cancer development and progression across multiple levels of biology, including genetic factors (such as inherited variation and tumor genomic alterations), epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation or chromatin states that regulate gene expression), molecular profiles (like transcriptomic or proteomic patterns), and cellular contributors (including tumor cell-intrinsic programs and interactions with the microenvironment). The expectation is that teams will integrate these layers to identify the key networks and pathways supporting tumor growth, and to connect those findings to population-level differences across racial and ethnic groups.
In terms of funding structure, this opportunity uses the NIH U01 cooperative agreement mechanism. A U01 differs from a standard research project grant in that it typically involves substantial scientific or programmatic involvement from the NIH staff during the course of the award. That cooperative structure is meant to help align projects with the program goals, encourage coordination where appropriate, and keep multi-investigator efforts moving toward shared deliverables that advance the field.
The NCI anticipated committing about $10 million in total costs over a five-year period to support up to three awards. The source data also lists an estimated total funding figure of $2,000,000 and an award ceiling of $667,000, which reflects the per-award scale indicated in the posting details. In practical terms, the program was structured as a relatively small number of sizable, team-based awards intended to produce high-impact, integrative datasets and biologic insights rather than many small, disconnected projects.
Eligibility for applying was broad and included many common U.S. research and public-sector entities. Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (including those not classified as higher education institutions), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government such as state governments, county governments, and city or township governments. The eligibility description also referenced additional eligible applicants such as eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions, indicating an intent to include a wide range of organizations capable of assembling the interdisciplinary teams and resources needed for this kind of research.
Administratively, the FOA was posted on August 13, 2009, with an original and current closing date of January 5, 2010, and an archive date of February 5, 2010, meaning it was a time-limited solicitation. The activity category is listed under Health, with the CFDA number 93.396 (Cancer Biology Research). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement. The issuing agency is the National Institutes of Health, with NCI as the sponsoring institute for the scientific program, and the full announcement was made available through the NIH grants guide page associated with the RFA. Contact support for access or linking issues was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email listed in the notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "The Biology of Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer in Various Racial and Ethnic Groups (U01)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-CA-09-026.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The program is intended to advance a coordinated, in-depth understanding of estrogen receptor (ER) negative breast cancers in humans. Rather than broad descriptions, it emphasizes systematic mapping of underlying biology, including molecular features, signaling pathways, and cellular networks that support tumor growth, survival, and progression.
Why does the FOA emphasize racial and ethnic groups?
A major emphasis is determining whether, and how, the biology of ER-negative breast tumors differs among racial and ethnic groups. The expectation is that clearer biologic understanding across populations will strengthen future early detection approaches and intervention strategies.
What types of scientific questions is NCI looking for applicants to address?
Based on the FOA description, applicants are expected to pursue tightly connected goals, including: clarifying the basic biology of ER-negative breast cancers; comparing ER-positive versus ER-negative disease; identifying and defining subtypes within ER-negative breast cancer; addressing tumor heterogeneity; and evaluating whether certain ER-negative subtypes, pathways, or molecular patterns are more common or function differently across racial and ethnic populations.
Does the FOA treat ER-negative breast cancer as a single disease?
No. The FOA explicitly reflects the view that ER-negative disease is not one uniform entity. It calls for research that identifies and defines distinct subtypes within ER-negative breast cancer, with the idea that different subgroups may have different drivers and vulnerabilities.
Is comparing ER-negative and ER-positive breast cancer part of the scope?
Yes. The FOA calls for studies that draw clear comparisons between ER-positive and ER-negative disease because these categories often behave differently clinically and can respond differently to therapies.
What does the FOA mean by "tumor heterogeneity" in this context?
Within the scope described, tumor heterogeneity refers to biologic differences within ER-negative breast cancers, including variation across subtypes and molecular patterns. The FOA expects applicants to address heterogeneity and examine how it may relate to differences observed across racial and ethnic groups.
What kinds of biological levels or data types does the FOA encourage teams to integrate?
NCI is looking for characterization of biologic drivers across multiple levels of biology, including genetic factors (such as inherited variation and tumor genomic alterations), epigenetic changes (such as DNA methylation or chromatin states that regulate gene expression), molecular profiles (such as transcriptomic or proteomic patterns), and cellular contributors (including tumor cell-intrinsic programs and interactions with the microenvironment).
Does this FOA encourage collaborative team science?
Yes. The FOA explicitly seeks collaborative, interdisciplinary teams rather than isolated single-lab efforts, with an emphasis on integrating multiple biologic layers and coordinating efforts toward shared scientific goals and deliverables.
What award mechanism is used for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses the NIH U01 cooperative agreement mechanism.
How is a U01 cooperative agreement different from a standard research project grant?
A U01 typically includes substantial scientific or programmatic involvement from NIH staff during the course of the award. In this FOA, the cooperative structure is intended to help align projects with program goals, encourage coordination where appropriate, and keep multi-investigator efforts moving toward shared deliverables that advance the field.
How much funding did NCI plan to provide under this program?
The FOA states that NCI anticipated committing about $10 million in total costs over a five-year period to support up to three awards. The posting details also list an estimated total funding figure of $2,000,000 and an award ceiling of $667,000, which reflects the per-award scale indicated in the opportunity details.
How many awards were expected?
Up to three awards were anticipated.
What was the intended scale and structure of awards?
The program was structured as a small number of sizable, team-based awards, intended to generate high-impact, integrative datasets and biologic insights rather than many smaller, disconnected projects.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (including those not classified as higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and government entities such as state governments, county governments, and city or township governments.
Were any additional applicant types mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The eligibility description also referenced eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
What is the CFDA number and program area associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 93.396, associated with Cancer Biology Research. The activity category is listed under Health.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted on August 13, 2009.
What was the application closing date?
The original and current closing date listed was January 5, 2010.
Is this a currently open funding opportunity?
No. The FOA was time-limited. It has an archive date of February 5, 2010, indicating it is no longer active for new submissions.
Where was the full announcement made available?
The full announcement was made available through the NIH grants guide page associated with the RFA.
Who should be contacted for access or linking issues related to the announcement?
Contact support for access or linking issues was routed through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email listed in the notice.
What outcomes was the program trying to enable?
The program intent was to pinpoint biologic drivers that could explain differences in risk, tumor behavior, and outcomes, and to translate those insights into practical leads for prevention, screening/early detection, or treatment development.
Does the FOA focus on human disease?
Yes. The FOA description emphasizes a coordinated understanding of ER-negative breast cancers in humans.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
Next opportunity: Abandoned Mine Lands
Previous opportunity: NEI Research Grant for Secondary Data Analysis (R21)
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 09 026
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 09 026) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Nutrition and Physical Activity Research to Promote Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health (R01) Apply for PA 09 243 Funding Number: PA 09 243 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nutrition and Physical Activity Research to Promote Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health (R21) Apply for PA 09 244 Funding Number: PA 09 244 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Optimization of Small Molecule Probes for the Nervous System (STTR R41) Apply for PAR 09 259 Funding Number: PAR 09 259 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Optimization of Small Molecule Probes for the Nervous System (SBIR R43) Apply for PAR 09 260 Funding Number: PAR 09 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award (U54) Apply for RFA RM 09 019 Funding Number: RFA RM 09 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition for Research Centers in Minority Institutions Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (RCTR) U54 Apply for PAR 09 261 Funding Number: PAR 09 261 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploring Epigenomic Processes and Non Coding RNAs in HIV/AIDS (R01) Apply for RFA DA 10 010 Funding Number: RFA DA 10 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Exploring Epigenomic Processes and Non Coding RNAs in HIV/AIDS (R21) Apply for RFA DA 10 011 Funding Number: RFA DA 10 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Targeted Library Synthesis and Screening at Novel Targets for Potential Drug Addiction Treatments and Research Tools (R21/R33) Apply for RFA DA 10 005 Funding Number: RFA DA 10 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration (EUREKA) (R01) Apply for RFA GM 10 009 Funding Number: RFA GM 10 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Developing Research Capacity in Africa for Studies on HIV Associated Malignancies (D43) Apply for RFA CA 09 016 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 016 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Medications Development for Cannabis Related Disorders (R01) Apply for RFA DA 10 016 Funding Number: RFA DA 10 016 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancer for Years 2010, 2011 and 2012 (P50) Apply for PAR 10 003 Funding Number: PAR 10 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R21) Apply for PAR 10 002 Funding Number: PAR 10 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R01) Apply for PAR 10 001 Funding Number: PAR 10 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Community Networks Program (CNP) Centers for Reducing Cancer Disparities through Outreach, Research and Training (U54) Apply for RFA CA 09 032 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Pathway to Independence Award in Cancer Nanotechnology Research (K99/R00) Apply for RFA CA 09 015 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (CNTCs)(R25) Apply for RFA CA 09 014 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01) Apply for PA 10 012 Funding Number: PA 10 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R03) Apply for PA 10 011 Funding Number: PA 10 011 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 09 026", 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.