The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) support innovative, early-stage research with the potential to advance cancer prevention and control across population sciences.
Projects may address cancer epidemiology, behavioral research, screening, healthcare delivery, survivorship, cancer risk factors, health outcomes, and population-based interventions. Investigators can request up to $275,000 in direct costs over two years, and foreign organizations are eligible to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education.
- Nonprofit organizations, including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, may apply.
- Small businesses and other for-profit organizations are eligible.
- Foreign/non-U.S. organizations are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must maintain the required SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons registrations before submission.
- Cost sharing or matching funds are not required.
Funding Details
- Maximum direct costs: $275,000 over the entire project period.
- Maximum in any single year: $200,000 in direct costs.
- Maximum project duration: 2 years.
Deadline
- Next new application deadline: October 16, 2026.
- Resubmission deadline: November 16, 2026.
- Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.
- Scientific merit review for the October 2026 cycle is expected in March 2027.
- Earliest project start: July 2027.
- NOFO expiration: September 8, 2028.
Further Information
- Projects should focus on early and conceptual stages of innovative cancer control research.
- Basic studies of oncogenic mechanisms and projects primarily developing new cancer drugs, therapies, diagnostic devices, or imaging technologies are outside the scope of this NOFO.
- Applications generating scientific data must include an appropriate Data Management and Sharing Plan.
- Applications may be submitted through NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an eligible institutional system-to-system solution.
- Funding opportunity number: PA-25-253.
- Official program page: View the official NIH opportunity