NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 021

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 021

The NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03 Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number PAR 18 021, is a National Institutes of Health grant opportunity designed to support small, focused cancer research projects that can be completed relatively quickly and with limited resources. It uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is commonly used for early-stage, exploratory, or tightly scoped studies that help generate preliminary findings, test an approach, or produce proof-of-concept results that can support future, larger research efforts. As the title notes, clinical trials are optional under this announcement, meaning applicants may propose studies that involve clinical trial components, but they are not required to do so.

The types of projects encouraged under this FOA cover a broad range of small-scale cancer research activities. These include pilot and feasibility studies that assess whether an idea or method is workable, secondary analyses of existing datasets where new questions are answered without collecting entirely new data, and small, self-contained projects that address a specific cancer research problem in a limited scope. The program also supports the development or refinement of research methods and the creation or improvement of research technologies, which can include tools, techniques, or processes that strengthen how cancer research is conducted. Overall, the emphasis is on projects that are concise, manageable, and achievable within a short time frame.

This opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category and aligns with NIH health and education-related research activity areas. It is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, and 93.399), reflecting its connection to the National Cancer Institute’s broader funding authorities and program areas. The award ceiling listed is $50,000, indicating the maximum funding level available per award under the provided source data. The original closing date shown in the listing is 2019-11-08, and the record creation date is 2017-11-21, which helps place the timing of the posted opportunity.

Eligibility is intentionally broad and includes many types of domestic applicants across government, academia, and the nonprofit and private sectors. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities. Colleges and universities are eligible, including public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The FOA also allows applications from Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, along with a variety of nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status). For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also listed as eligible, and the opportunity includes an “Others” category that is further clarified by additional eligible applicant types.

Beyond the standard categories, the announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant groups to encourage participation from diverse institutions and communities. These include 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also includes faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized entities. Notably, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are also identified as eligible, expanding the potential applicant pool beyond the United States.

In practical terms, this FOA is aimed at researchers and organizations that have a well-defined cancer research question or technical objective that does not require large-scale infrastructure or long timelines to execute. It is a fit for teams looking to gather early evidence, validate a method, analyze existing information in a new way, or build a research tool that can accelerate future cancer studies, while operating within the smaller budget and scope typical of an R03 award.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-11-08. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• 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 PAR 18 021

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