Grant opportunity
Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing to develop innovative technologies offering new capabilities for the molecular or cellular characterization of cancer or for improved handling and quality control of biospecimens for basic, clinical, or epidemiological cancer research.
- Funder
- National Institutes of Health / Department of Health and Human Services
- Closes 2026-11-10
- Closes 2026-11-10: Nov 10, 2026
- Award
- up to USD 150,000; floor none; estimated total USD 5,100,000; 20 expected awards
- Applicant
- Organizations and Institutions
- Discipline
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Region
- United States
- Posted
- Jun 3, 2026
Call summary
Overview
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing to develop innovative technologies offering new capabilities for the molecular or cellular characterization of cancer or for improved handling and quality control of biospecimens for basic, clinical, or epidemiological cancer research. The NOFO solicits R61 applications for early-stage projects proposing proof-of-concept/pilot studies to test the technical feasibility of the proposed method, tool, assay, platform, or instrument. Technologies proposed for development may have potential for widespread applicability but must be focused for this program on cancer-relevant use cases. Projects proposing to apply or use existing technologies for hypothesis-driven research where the novelty resides in the biological or clinical target/question being pursued are not responsive to this solicitation and will not be reviewed.This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.
Who can apply
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) 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.
What it supports
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- United States
- Official opportunity number: RFA-CA-27-001.
Funding and duration
- up to USD 150,000; floor none; estimated total USD 5,100,000; 20 expected awards
Closes 2026-11-10
Closes 2026-11-10: Nov 10, 2026
How to apply
Use the official Grants.gov listing for application package, forms, attachments, and agency-specific instructions. Submit by 2026-11-10 unless the agency updates the official listing.
Call details
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing to develop innovative technologies offering new capabilities for the molecular or cellular characterization of cancer or for improved handling and quality control of biospecimens for basic, clinical, or epidemiological cancer research. The NOFO solicits R61 applications for early-stage projects proposing proof-of-concept/pilot studies to test the technical feasibility of the proposed method, tool, assay, platform, or instrument. Technologies proposed for development may have potential for widespread applicability but must be focused for this program on cancer-relevant use cases. Projects proposing to apply or use existing technologies for hypothesis-driven research where the novelty resides in the biological or clinical target/question being pursued are not responsive to this solicitation and will not be reviewed.This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program. Eligibility: Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) 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. Opportunity number: RFA-CA-27-001. Closing date: 2026-11-10. Funding: up to USD 150,000; floor none; estimated total USD 5,100,000; 20 expected awards.
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) 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.
Health and Biomedical Sciences
United States
Official opportunity number: RFA-CA-27-001.
up to USD 150,000; floor none; estimated total USD 5,100,000; 20 expected awards
Closes 2026-11-10: Closes 2026-11-10: Nov 10, 2026.
Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.
Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.
Use the official Grants.gov listing for application package, forms, attachments, and agency-specific instructions. Submit by 2026-11-10 unless the agency updates the official listing.
Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.