Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 284
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting applications under PAR-23-284 for Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for FY 2024, 2025, and 2026 using the P50 Research Center Grant mechanism, with clinical trials required. The SPORE program is designed to support large, coordinated, investigator-initiated translational research centers that are tightly focused on a specific organ cancer (or a carefully justified set of highly related cancers) and that are structured to move scientific discoveries toward tangible benefits for patients. At its core, this FOA is about building a research engine that can consistently translate findings from studies of human cancer biology into better approaches for prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
The emphasis throughout the opportunity is translational cancer research that starts from human biology and is aimed at reaching a real human endpoint within the funded project period. The FOA frames translational research broadly, but it is not general basic science: supported work must be rooted in human cancer biology and use approaches such as cellular, molecular, structural, biochemical, and genetic experimental methods, with a clear path to application in humans. The requirement that projects aim to reach a translational human endpoint during the grant period signals that the NCI expects progress that goes beyond mechanism description, such as advancing biomarkers toward clinical use, developing or refining preventive or early detection strategies, improving diagnostic approaches, or moving therapeutic concepts closer to clinical implementation. Because this is a "Clinical Trial Required" announcement, applicants should expect that at least one part of the overall SPORE effort will involve a clinical trial component that fits NIH definitions and policies.
In terms of scientific scope, the FOA encourages SPOREs that are organ-specific, but it also allows well-justified groupings of cancers. "Highly related" cancers are described as those derived from the same organ system, with examples like gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine, and head and neck cancers. Beyond organ systems, NCI also indicates it will consider SPORE themes that cut across multiple organ sites when the unifying rationale is strong and programmatically appropriate. Examples include cancers driven by a common biological mechanism that is central to tumor initiation or progression (for instance, cancers caused by the same infectious agent or cancers maintained by dysregulation of a shared signaling pathway). The FOA further notes that SPOREs may be organized around cross-cutting themes such as pediatric cancers or cancer health disparities, which reflects an interest in translational programs that can address unmet needs and inequities alongside biological and clinical innovation.
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organization types that can support a large center-style grant. Eligible applicants listed in the source data include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, there are clear limitations related to foreign involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant may be able to include certain international collaborations or elements if they meet NIH policy requirements and are appropriately justified.
Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary grant with an education and health activity category and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.121 and 93.395. The funding opportunity was created on September 22, 2023, and the original closing date provided is September 25, 2026, which aligns with the stated coverage for years 2024 through 2026. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which typically means applicants need to consult the full FOA text and NIH budgeting guidance for any limits, expectations, or institute-specific constraints not captured in the summary fields.
Overall, PAR-23-284 is aimed at organizations that can assemble a substantial, multidisciplinary translational cancer research program with a clear, patient-oriented endpoint and enough clinical and scientific infrastructure to conduct clinical-trial-related work. The SPORE model is essentially a coordinated center grant: it is intended to create a sustained pipeline from discoveries in human cancer biology to interventions and tools that improve patient outcomes, whether through prevention, earlier detection, better diagnosis, more effective treatment, or addressing persistent disparities in cancer burden and care.Apply for PAR 23 284
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for Years 2024, 2025, and 2026 (P50 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.395.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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