Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research

Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research

Due Date: 10/03/2025

NCI’s IMAT Program seeks R33 projects to advance and rigorously validate tools, devices, assays, and methods that improve the collection, handling, preservation, storage, and quality assessment of cancer-relevant biospecimens. Technologies must show prior feasibility, deliver transformative, quantifiable performance improvements, and accelerate cancer research or care—including in low-resource and disparity-impacted settings. Clinical trials are not allowed.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Eligible applicants include higher-education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits (including small businesses), government entities, tribal organizations, school districts, housing authorities, faith/community organizations, regional organizations, and foreign organizations.

  • Foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations are eligible.

  • PD/PI must have an eRA Commons ID; organizational registrations required (SAM with UEI, Grants.gov, eRA Commons).

  • Multiple scientifically distinct applications per organization are allowed.

Funding Details:

  • Mechanism: R33 (Exploratory/Developmental Phase II).

  • Clinical trial: not allowed.

  • Budget: up to 300,000 USD in direct costs per year.

  • Project period: up to 3 years.

Deadline:

  • Due date: October 3, 2025, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

Where to go for further information: