Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 23 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 23 002

The Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-23-002) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant solicitation under the NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program. It is designed to support exploratory, early-stage projects that create or substantially advance highly innovative technologies for analyzing cancer at the molecular and cellular levels. The core idea is to help researchers build new technical capabilities that can measure, target, probe, or assess key features of cancer biology in ways that current tools cannot, with an emphasis on high technical novelty rather than incremental improvements to existing methods.

The FOA is specifically centered on technology development that improves molecular and/or cellular characterization of cancer. That includes technologies meant for basic research (understanding mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression, tumor microenvironment interactions, immune dynamics, metastasis, etc.) and for clinically oriented research settings (such as approaches that could eventually strengthen how tumors are characterized for diagnosis or treatment planning). While the tools may be broadly useful across biomedical research, they must be clearly motivated by, and tailored to, cancer biology questions and needs. A strong application, in practical terms, is one where the proposed method offers a new type of readout, a new level of sensitivity or specificity, a new way to interrogate cells in space or time, or a new ability to capture biological heterogeneity relevant to cancer, rather than simply optimizing an established platform.

NCI highlights that well-suited projects should plausibly accelerate or enhance progress across a wide range of cancer research and public health domains. The FOA explicitly points to potential impact areas including cancer biology, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment and control, epidemiology, and research addressing cancer health disparities. That framing is important because it signals that the technology should not only be clever or cutting-edge, but also positioned to enable meaningful advances in how cancer is studied and ultimately addressed. For example, a tool that allows more precise profiling of rare tumor subclones, improved characterization of circulating biomarkers, or better single-cell or spatial measurements in clinical samples could fit the intended scope, as long as the work is truly early-stage development and innovation-driven.

This opportunity uses the R61 mechanism and states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the funded work should not involve clinical trial activities. In other words, the program is supporting technology invention and early validation work, not interventional studies that would meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial. Applicants should still expect to ground the proposed work in cancer-relevant specimens, models, or use cases where appropriate, but within the boundaries of non-clinical-trial research.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other categories. The FOA also calls out additional eligible groups 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 and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities. This broad eligibility reflects an intent to attract innovation from many sectors and to support participation by institutions that serve populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Education and Health activity area, associated with CFDA number 93.394, and was created on 2022-12-02 with an original closing date of 2023-09-01. The provided source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so prospective applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget guidance, project period expectations, and review criteria details. Overall, the program is best understood as seed funding for bold, technically innovative platform or tool development aimed at enabling new ways to measure and understand cancer at molecular and cellular resolution, with clear relevance to cancer research and potential downstream benefit to detection, diagnosis, treatment, population research, and equity-focused outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-12-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-01. (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.

Apply for RFA CA 23 002

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