Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 13 002
Apply for RFA CA 13 002
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Molecular Analysis Technologies for Cancer Research (R33)" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 9, 2012 and posted on Nov 9, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 20, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Independent school districts Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) County governments Special district governments Small businesses State governments 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) For profit organizations other than small businesses Private 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 Faith based or Community based Organizations 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 Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Funding Opportunity Announcement RFA-CA-13-002, titled "Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Molecular Analysis Technologies for Cancer Research (R33)," is a discretionary NIH grant program designed to push promising molecular and cellular analysis technologies beyond the early pilot stage and into rigorous validation in cancer-relevant settings. The focus is on technologies that already have proof-of-principle and supportive preliminary data, but have not yet been thoroughly evaluated for their intended real-world research use. In other words, the FOA is aimed at taking a technology that looks genuinely promising and helping it mature into something the broader cancer research community could rely on for impactful biological discovery or translational work.
The core purpose of the opportunity is to support advanced development plus technical and analytical validation of emerging tools in an appropriate biological system related to cancer. This includes improving performance, robustness, reproducibility, and usability, and then demonstrating that the technology works reliably in a context that reflects how it is meant to be used (for example, relevant cancer model systems, clinically meaningful specimens, or other biologically appropriate cancer contexts). The expectation is that successful projects will accelerate progress across major cancer research domains such as cancer biology, treatment, detection and diagnosis, prevention, control, epidemiology, and cancer health disparities. Importantly, the technology itself must be the innovation. Applications that mainly use established technologies where the "new" aspect is simply the biological or clinical question being studied are considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed, signaling that this FOA is specifically a technology development and validation mechanism rather than a general cancer biology or clinical research solicitation.
This FOA uses the R33 activity code, which is commonly associated with advanced development and validation stages (as opposed to early exploratory feasibility). Projects should therefore be positioned past initial tinkering and early feasibility demonstrations, and instead be ready for more demanding validation milestones that show the method can perform as claimed and can meaningfully support cancer research at scale or in broadly applicable ways. NCI is looking for projects with the potential to yield a molecular analysis technology that could have major impact across a broad area of cancer-relevant research, rather than highly niche tools with limited generalizability.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, the opportunity was posted on November 9, 2012, with an original and current closing date of September 20, 2013, and an archive date of October 21, 2013. NCI anticipated making about 10 awards with an estimated total funding level of $3.5 million, and an award ceiling of $300,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The program is associated with multiple CFDA numbers spanning cancer cause and prevention research (93.393), cancer detection and diagnosis research (93.394), and cancer treatment research (93.395), reflecting the broad range of cancer applications that validated technologies could ultimately support.
Eligibility is wide and includes many types of organizations, such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and various governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as tribal governments and tribal organizations. The FOA also explicitly allows non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and foreign institutions to apply, allows non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations, and permits foreign components as defined under NIH policy. It also calls out eligibility for a range of institution types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and faith-based or community-based organizations, emphasizing broad participation across sectors and geographies.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a targeted NCI investment in the late-stage maturation of innovative molecular and cellular measurement technologies for cancer research, with strong emphasis on demonstrated feasibility, substantial validation, and clear potential for broad, high-impact utility. The full announcement and requirements were provided through the NIH Grants Guide at the link included in the source, with NIH Office of Extramural Research contacts listed for access or technical issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and identifier of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) RFA-CA-13-002, titled "Validation and Advanced Development of Emerging Molecular Analysis Technologies for Cancer Research (R33)."
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is an NIH discretionary grant program offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The purpose is to push promising molecular and cellular analysis technologies beyond early pilot work into advanced development and rigorous validation in cancer-relevant settings, so the broader cancer research community can rely on the technology for impactful discovery or translational research.
What stage of technology development is this FOA targeting?
It targets technologies that already have proof-of-principle and supportive preliminary data, but have not yet been thoroughly evaluated for intended real-world research use. Projects should be beyond early feasibility and ready for more demanding validation milestones.
What does the R33 activity code indicate in this FOA?
The FOA uses the R33 activity code, which is associated with advanced development and validation stages rather than early exploratory feasibility work.
What kinds of technologies are a fit for this program?
The FOA is aimed at emerging molecular and cellular measurement/analysis technologies for cancer research where the technology itself is the innovation, and where the project will focus on advanced development plus technical and analytical validation.
What are the main project expectations under this FOA?
Projects are expected to improve performance, robustness, reproducibility, and usability, and then demonstrate reliable operation in a context that reflects intended use (for example, relevant cancer model systems, clinically meaningful specimens, or other cancer-appropriate biological contexts).
What does "validation in cancer-relevant settings" mean here?
It means the technology should be tested and validated in an appropriate biological system related to cancer, using contexts that mirror how the tool is meant to be used in real research environments (such as cancer model systems or clinically meaningful specimens).
What cancer research areas could supported technologies impact?
Validated technologies are expected to accelerate progress across major cancer research domains including cancer biology, treatment, detection and diagnosis, prevention, control, epidemiology, and cancer health disparities.
Are applications that mainly address a biological or clinical question (using existing tools) allowed?
No. Applications are considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed if they mainly use established technologies and the "new" aspect is only the biological or clinical question. This FOA is specifically for technology development and validation.
Does the technology need to be broadly useful?
Yes. NCI is looking for projects with potential for major impact across a broad area of cancer-relevant research, rather than highly niche tools with limited generalizability.
How many awards were anticipated and what was the estimated total funding?
NCI anticipated about 10 awards, with an estimated total funding level of $3.5 million.
What is the award ceiling mentioned for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is $300,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this FOA.
When was this FOA posted and what were the key dates?
It was posted on November 9, 2012. The original and current closing date was September 20, 2013, and the archive date was October 21, 2013.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this program?
The program is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.393 (cancer cause and prevention research), 93.394 (cancer detection and diagnosis research), and 93.395 (cancer treatment research).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and various governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as tribal governments and tribal organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly allows non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and foreign institutions to apply. It also allows non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations and permits foreign components as defined under NIH policy.
Are specific institution types explicitly encouraged or included?
Yes. The FOA calls out eligibility for institution types including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Where was the full announcement made available?
The full announcement and requirements were provided through the NIH Grants Guide at the link included in the source information.
Who is listed for help with access or technical issues?
NIH Office of Extramural Research contacts were listed for access or technical issues related to the announcement.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
Next opportunity: Early Stage Development of Innovative Technologies for Biospecimen Science (R21)
Previous opportunity: Early Stage Innovative Molecular Analysis Technology Development for Cancer Research (R21)
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 13 002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 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 |
| Limited Competition Palliative Care Research Co Operative (PCRC) (U24) Apply for RFA NR 13 004 Funding Number: RFA NR 13 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Utilizing the PLCO Biospecimens Resource to Bridge Gaps in Cancer Etiology and Early Detection Research (U01) Apply for PAR 13 036 Funding Number: PAR 13 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exceptional Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration (EUREKA) for Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System (R01) Apply for RFA NS 13 007 Funding Number: RFA NS 13 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR) (UM1) Apply for RFA CA 13 005 Funding Number: RFA CA 13 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R01) Apply for PAR 13 048 Funding Number: PAR 13 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R21) Apply for PAR 13 049 Funding Number: PAR 13 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Pain in Aging (R01) Apply for PA 13 058 Funding Number: PA 13 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pain in Aging (R21) Apply for PA 13 059 Funding Number: PA 13 059 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Pain in Aging (R03) Apply for PA 13 060 Funding Number: PA 13 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Administrative Supplements to NCI Funded Research Projects Funding to Advance Research on Cancers in Women (Admin Supp) Apply for PAR 13 067 Funding Number: PAR 13 067 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Feasibility Studies to Build Collaborative Partnerships in Cancer Research (P20) Apply for PAR 13 068 Funding Number: PAR 13 068 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R21) Apply for PAR 13 054 Funding Number: PAR 13 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R03) Apply for PAR 13 056 Funding Number: PAR 13 056 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Behavioral Integrative Treatment Development Program (R34) Apply for PA 13 078 Funding Number: PA 13 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Behavioral Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01) Apply for PA 13 077 Funding Number: PA 13 077 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral Integrative Treatment Development Program (R03) Apply for PA 13 079 Funding Number: PA 13 079 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Data (R01) Apply for PAR 13 080 Funding Number: PAR 13 080 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Bridging the Gap Between Cancer Mechanism and Population Science (U01) Apply for PAR 13 081 Funding Number: PAR 13 081 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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