Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS 08 049
Apply for PAS 08 049
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Understanding and Preventing Brain Tumor Dispersal (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 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 5, 2008 and posted on Dec 17, 2007.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 7, 2011. (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.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) City or township governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Independent school districts Private institutions of higher education County governments Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Special district governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) State governments.
- Foreign institutions are eligible to apply. Eligible agencies of the Federal Government can apply. Faith based or community based organizations can apply.
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Opportunity Summary:
Understanding and Preventing Brain Tumor Dispersal (R21) (Funding Opportunity Number PAS 08 049) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity focused on one of the biggest clinical challenges in malignant brain tumors: the ability of tumor cells to spread through normal brain tissue, making complete surgical removal difficult and contributing to recurrence. The core aim of the announcement is to stimulate exploratory, early-stage research that clarifies why brain tumor cells migrate, how the brain environment influences that movement, and how those insights can be turned into strategies that specifically target invasive, dispersing tumor cells rather than only the main tumor mass.
Scientifically, the FOA emphasizes three connected research directions. First, it encourages studies that identify intrinsic properties of brain tumor cells that drive migration, such as molecular pathways, cell-surface receptors, cytoskeletal dynamics, adhesion behaviors, and other cellular programs linked to motility and invasion. Second, it highlights the role of the surrounding normal brain in shaping dispersal, calling for work on how tumor cells interact with brain elements like neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, vasculature, and extracellular matrix components. This includes how local signals, structural features, and cell-to-cell communication either promote or restrain tumor movement. Third, it pushes applicants to translate what is learned into interventions, meaning proof-of-concept ideas for therapies or approaches that can disrupt or prevent invasion, potentially improving outcomes by addressing the cells most responsible for diffuse spread.
The funding mechanism is the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21), which is typically used to support innovative, higher-risk concepts, pilot studies, or early evidence generation that can later underpin larger projects. This FOA is explicitly paired with a parallel announcement of the same scientific scope using the R01 mechanism (PAS 08 048). In practice, that means applicants with more mature, extensive research plans might consider the R01 pathway, while those pursuing more exploratory or developmental work aligned with the same topic area could use the R21 route.
From a funding standpoint, NINDS set aside a combined total of $400,000 per year in total costs for this R21 announcement and the parallel R01 announcement together, with awards dependent on scientific merit and the availability of funds over the life of the announcement. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) also plays a role in funding decisions by weighing programmatic priorities alongside scientific merit. Because proposed projects can vary widely in scope, the NIH notes that both the number of awards and the size and duration of each award may vary. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, and the FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations as well as foreign institutions. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses and other for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), independent school districts, and a range of government entities (state, county, city/township, special district). Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations are included, as are public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The announcement also specifies that faith-based or community-based organizations may apply, and that eligible federal agencies can apply as well.
In terms of timing and status, the opportunity was posted on December 17, 2007, with an original and final closing date of January 7, 2011, and an archive date of February 7, 2011. It is categorized under CFDA numbers 93.393 (Cancer Cause and Prevention Research) and 93.853 (Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders), reflecting the cross-cutting cancer and neuroscience focus. The full announcement was made available through NIH’s grants guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-08-049.html, and NIH’s Office of Extramural Research webmaster contacts are provided for access or linking issues.
FAQs: Understanding and Preventing Brain Tumor Dispersal (R21) - PAS-08-049
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled Understanding and Preventing Brain Tumor Dispersal (R21) and the Funding Opportunity Number is PAS 08 049.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity.
What problem is this grant trying to address?
It focuses on a major clinical challenge in malignant brain tumors: tumor cell dispersal through normal brain tissue. Because dispersing cells can spread beyond the main tumor mass, complete surgical removal is difficult, which contributes to tumor recurrence.
What is the core aim of the FOA?
The announcement aims to stimulate exploratory, early-stage research to clarify:
- Why brain tumor cells migrate
- How the brain environment influences that movement
- How those insights can be translated into strategies that specifically target invasive, dispersing tumor cells, not only the primary tumor mass
What types of research topics are emphasized?
The FOA highlights three connected directions:
- Intrinsic tumor-cell drivers of migration (what inside the tumor cells promotes movement)
- Influence of the normal brain microenvironment (how surrounding brain tissue shapes dispersal)
- Translation to interventions (proof-of-concept approaches to disrupt or prevent invasion)
What kinds of intrinsic tumor-cell properties does the FOA encourage applicants to study?
The FOA encourages studies on properties that drive tumor cell migration, including examples such as:
- Molecular pathways
- Cell-surface receptors
- Cytoskeletal dynamics
- Adhesion behaviors
- Other cellular programs linked to motility and invasion
How does the FOA describe the role of the normal brain environment in dispersal?
The FOA stresses that dispersal is shaped by interactions between tumor cells and normal brain components. It calls for research on how tumor cells interact with brain elements and how local signals and structures can promote or restrain movement.
Which brain elements are specifically mentioned as relevant to tumor cell dispersal?
The FOA specifically mentions interactions with:
- Neurons
- Astrocytes
- Oligodendrocytes
- Microglia
- Vasculature
- Extracellular matrix components
Does the FOA include therapy or intervention development?
Yes. A key emphasis is translating discoveries into interventions, including proof-of-concept strategies that could disrupt or prevent invasion and potentially improve outcomes by targeting the cells responsible for diffuse spread.
What funding mechanism is used for this announcement?
This opportunity uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) mechanism.
What is the R21 mechanism typically used for?
The R21 mechanism is typically used to support innovative, higher-risk concepts, including pilot studies or early evidence generation that may later support larger projects.
Is there a related opportunity using a different mechanism?
Yes. The FOA is explicitly paired with a parallel announcement of the same scientific scope using the R01 mechanism: PAS 08 048.
How should an applicant think about choosing between the R21 and the parallel R01?
Based on the FOA description, applicants with more mature, extensive research plans might consider the R01 pathway, while applicants pursuing more exploratory or developmental work aligned to the same topic area could use the R21 route.
How much funding was set aside for this opportunity?
NINDS set aside a combined total of $400,000 per year in total costs for this R21 announcement and the parallel R01 announcement together, with awards dependent on scientific merit and availability of funds over the life of the announcement.
Do the number and size of awards stay fixed?
No. The NIH notes that proposed projects can vary widely in scope, so the number of awards and the size and duration of each award may vary.
What is the award ceiling listed in the FOA?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Which NIH institutes are mentioned in connection with funding decisions?
NINDS is noted for setting aside funds (combined across this R21 and the parallel R01). The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is also described as playing a role in funding decisions by weighing programmatic priorities alongside scientific merit.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and foreign institutions. Eligible applicants include:
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- Small businesses
- Other for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses)
- Independent school districts
- Government entities (state, county, city/township, special district)
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Eligible federal agencies
Are foreign institutions allowed to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly states that eligibility includes foreign institutions.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement specifies that faith-based or community-based organizations may apply.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement states that eligible federal agencies can apply.
What are the key dates for this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted December 17, 2007. It lists an original and final closing date of January 7, 2011, and an archive date of February 7, 2011.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
Based on the dates provided, it had a final closing date of January 7, 2011 and was archived on February 7, 2011.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The FOA is categorized under:
- 93.393 (Cancer Cause and Prevention Research)
- 93.853 (Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders)
Where can the full announcement be found?
The full announcement is available through the NIH Grants Guide at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-08-049.html
Who should be contacted for access or linking issues with the announcement?
The information provided notes that NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster contacts are provided for access or linking issues.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
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Previous opportunity: Understanding and Preventing Brain Tumor Dispersal (R01)
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAS 08 049) also looked into and applied for these:
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| Long Acting, Sustainable Therapies for Opiate Addiction (R01) Apply for PAS 08 061 Funding Number: PAS 08 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Decision Making in Cancer Single Event Decisions (R21) Apply for PA 08 064 Funding Number: PA 08 064 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on the Economics of Diet, Activity and Energy Balance (R21) Apply for PA 08 077 Funding Number: PA 08 077 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NLM Express Research Grants in Biomedical Informatics (R01) Apply for PAR 08 080 Funding Number: PAR 08 080 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R21) Apply for PA 08 084 Funding Number: PA 08 084 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| The Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination/Bias on Health Care Delivery (R03) Apply for PA 08 085 Funding Number: PA 08 085 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R01) Apply for PA 08 097 Funding Number: PA 08 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R21) Apply for PA 08 098 Funding Number: PA 08 098 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Cancer Education Grants Program (R25) Apply for PAR 08 120 Funding Number: PAR 08 120 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Symptom Interactions in Cancer and Immune Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 08 121 Funding Number: PA 08 121 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Symptom Interactions in Cancer and Immune Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 08 122 Funding Number: PA 08 122 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Epidemiology Of Drug Abuse (R01) Apply for PA 08 124 Funding Number: PA 08 124 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Epidemiology Of Drug Abuse (R21) Apply for PA 08 125 Funding Number: PA 08 125 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Epidemiology Of Drug Abuse (R03) Apply for PA 08 126 Funding Number: PA 08 126 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enhancing Tumoricidal Activity of Natural Killer (NK) Cells by Dietary Components for Cancer Prevention (R01) Apply for PA 08 131 Funding Number: PA 08 131 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enhancing Tumoricidal Activity of Natural Killer (NK) Cells by Dietary Components for Cancer Prevention (R21) Apply for PA 08 132 Funding Number: PA 08 132 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Prescription Drug Misuse (R01) Apply for PA 08 127 Funding Number: PA 08 127 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Prescription Drug Misuse (R21) Apply for PA 08 128 Funding Number: PA 08 128 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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