Transdisciplinary Cancer Genomics Research Post Genome Wide Association (Post GWA) Initiative (U19) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Transdisciplinary Cancer Genomics Research Post GWAS Initiative (U19)?

It is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative agreement funding opportunity intended to move cancer susceptibility research beyond initial genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals and into coordinated post-GWAS work. The initiative emphasizes identifying and validating genomic regions tied to cancer risk using existing cancer GWAS datasets, including already-generated initial scan data, and accelerating follow-up discovery.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is to improve how thoroughly and efficiently researchers can identify, confirm, refine, and validate genomic regions associated with cancer risk by leveraging existing GWAS datasets and conducting coordinated post-GWAS discovery. This includes progressing from early statistical associations to stronger evidence via replication, expanded analyses, and integrated follow-up that clarifies which variants matter, in whom, and why.

What does "post-GWAS" mean in the context of this FOA?

In this context, post-GWAS refers to the work that follows initial GWAS association signals, such as replication of findings, expansion into additional datasets or populations, deeper analyses, and follow-up studies that build stronger evidence and help interpret which variants are relevant and how they relate to cancer risk.

What is the funding mechanism used for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses the NIH U19 cooperative agreement mechanism. This typically implies a more involved partnership with NIH compared to a standard research grant, with substantial programmatic coordination and interaction to keep multi-component projects aligned with the initiative's objectives.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-CA-09-002.

Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

When was this funding opportunity posted?

It was posted on January 12, 2009.

What were the application deadlines?

The original and final application deadline was May 29, 2009.

Is this opportunity still active?

No. The archive date was June 29, 2009, indicating the announcement has been archived.

How much funding was available in total?

The estimated total funding level was $24,000,000.

What was the maximum award amount per project?

The award ceiling was $3,000,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching was required.

What are the required structural elements of an application?

Applications were required to have a transdisciplinary structure organized around a single unifying research theme and contain two to three tightly connected subprojects.

How many subprojects are required, and is a third subproject allowed?

Each application must include two to three subprojects. A third subproject is optional but strongly encouraged.

Is replication of prior GWAS findings required?

Yes. At least one subproject must focus on replication or expansion of prior GWAS findings, with the goal of confirming, refining, or extending reported associations to additional populations, datasets, or analytic strategies.

Is an epidemiologic component required?

Yes. At least one subproject must be explicitly epidemiologic, emphasizing population-level study design, risk factor characterization, gene-environment considerations, and the real-world context in which genetic susceptibility operates.

What is the role of a third (optional) subproject?

The third subproject, while optional, is strongly encouraged and would typically involve biological and/or mechanistic work that connects epidemiologic and statistical findings to functional evidence, such as experiments or analyses suggesting how a locus might influence cancer biology.

Does the FOA require collaboration across multiple centers?

Yes. A central expectation is multi-center collaboration that brings together both epidemiologists and basic scientists, reflecting the need to combine large, well-characterized human datasets with laboratory or mechanistic approaches for post-GWAS progress.

What types of data does the initiative expect applicants to leverage?

The initiative emphasizes leveraging existing cancer GWAS datasets, especially already-generated initial scan data, to accelerate coordinated post-GWAS discovery.

What kinds of research outcomes are emphasized beyond publishing association results?

The long-term goal is to build a rigorous knowledge base that supports eventual clinical translation and public health dissemination, such as improved risk prediction, better understanding of carcinogenic pathways, and identification of targets for prevention or early detection.

What NIH program areas (CFDA numbers) does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity falls under NIH CFDA program areas 93.393 (cancer cause and prevention research), 93.394 (cancer detection and diagnosis research), and 93.396 (cancer biology research).

What types of organizations were eligible to apply?

Eligibility included public and private institutions of higher education, state governments, local governments (city/township and county), small businesses, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and certain other eligible entities noted in the announcement, including eligible federal agencies and U.S. territories or possessions.

Were for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses were eligible, and small businesses were also explicitly eligible.

Were nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?

No. Nonprofit organizations were eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status.

Were government entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligibility included state governments and local governments (including city/township and county).

Were U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. The eligibility listing included U.S. territories or possessions.

Where can applicants find the original announcement details?

The announcement provided an NIH Grants Guide link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-09-002.html

Where were applicants directed for technical access issues?

The announcement referenced contact points for technical access issues via the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster email.

What does it mean that the projects must be "tightly connected" under a unifying theme?

Based on the FOA description, the expectation is that the two to three subprojects are designed to work together under a single research theme, with coordinated post-GWAS efforts that connect replication/expansion work and epidemiologic analysis, and (if included) biological/mechanistic follow-up.

What is the intended progression of evidence encouraged by this initiative?

The initiative encourages progression from initial GWAS statistical associations to stronger evidence through replication, expanded analyses, and integrated follow-up that helps determine which variants are important, in which populations, and for what reasons.