Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 354
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Neural Regulation of Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-19-354) supports exploratory, early-stage research projects that investigate how the nervous system influences cancer. The core aim is to push forward a more complete understanding of the nervous system's role in tumor biology, especially in how neural activity and neural-derived signals may contribute to tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. The FOA is designed to bring together investigators and approaches from both neuroscience and oncology, encouraging teams to cross traditional disciplinary lines and use neuroscience concepts, tools, experimental models, and reagents to uncover cancer-relevant mechanisms that may be missed by standard cancer biology approaches alone.
This opportunity emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration where the neuroscience component is not just a side feature, but a central driver of innovation in cancer research questions. Projects are expected to leverage established and emerging neuroscience capabilities, such as neural circuit analysis, neuroimmune interaction tools, neurophysiology methods, neuronal and glial cell biology, and other mechanistic approaches, to identify novel pathways through which the nervous system may promote or regulate non-central nervous system (non-CNS) tumors. The long-term motivation is practical as well as biological: by clarifying how neural inputs shape tumor behavior, the resulting knowledge could inform new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, including interventions that target neural-tumor communication or downstream signaling processes.
The award mechanism is an NIH R21, which generally aligns with high-risk, high-reward, hypothesis-generating research and early proof-of-concept studies rather than large, fully mature programs of work. Consistent with that purpose, the listed award ceiling for this opportunity is $200,000. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this FOA, meaning proposed studies should focus on basic, translational, or preclinical research rather than testing interventions in human participants as clinical trials. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity area is categorized under Education and Health with CFDA number 93.396.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since those are listed separately); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories 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 or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, tribal governments other than federally recognized tribes, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign organizations.
Key administrative details from the source include that the opportunity is discretionary, administered by NIH, and was created on 2019-08-28, with an original closing date listed as 2022-05-27. While the posting includes a field for expected awards, the number is not provided in the supplied data. Overall, this FOA is best suited for research teams proposing innovative, mechanistic studies that connect neural biology to tumor behavior and that can open up new directions for understanding and ultimately intervening in cancer outside the central nervous system.Apply for PAR 19 354
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Neural Regulation of Cancer (R21 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): 93.396.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-08-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-05-27. (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 $200,000.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Neural Regulation of Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)".
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-19-354.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
This FOA supports exploratory, early-stage research that investigates how the nervous system influences cancer. The core aim is to deepen understanding of the nervous system's role in tumor biology, including how neural activity and neural-derived signals may contribute to tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis.
What kinds of cancer are the focus of this opportunity?
The emphasis is on mechanisms by which the nervous system may promote or regulate non-central nervous system (non-CNS) tumors.
What types of projects are a good fit for this FOA?
Projects that are a good fit are innovative, mechanistic studies that connect neural biology to tumor behavior. The FOA is intended to enable hypothesis-generating work and early proof-of-concept studies that may open up new research directions.
How is the nervous system expected to be involved in the proposed research?
The neuroscience component is expected to be central to the project, not a minor add-on. Proposed studies should use neuroscience concepts, tools, experimental models, and reagents to uncover cancer-relevant mechanisms that could be missed by standard cancer biology approaches alone.
Does NIH encourage interdisciplinary or team-based applications?
Yes. The FOA is designed to bring together investigators and approaches from both neuroscience and oncology, encouraging teams to cross traditional disciplinary lines.
What neuroscience approaches are specifically emphasized?
The FOA highlights leveraging established and emerging neuroscience capabilities, including (but not limited to):
- Neural circuit analysis
- Tools for studying neuroimmune interactions
- Neurophysiology methods
- Neuronal and glial cell biology
- Other mechanistic neuroscience approaches relevant to tumor biology
What is the long-term motivation behind this research area?
Beyond improving biological understanding, the long-term motivation is practical: clarifying how neural inputs shape tumor behavior could inform new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, including interventions that target neural-tumor communication or downstream signaling processes.
What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 award mechanism.
What does the R21 mechanism imply about the project scope?
The R21 mechanism generally aligns with high-risk, high-reward, hypothesis-generating research and early proof-of-concept studies rather than large, fully mature programs of work.
What is the maximum award amount mentioned for this FOA?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this FOA. Proposed studies should focus on basic, translational, or preclinical research rather than testing interventions in human participants as clinical trials.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Is this opportunity discretionary?
Yes. The source information lists this opportunity as discretionary.
What is the CFDA number and activity area listed for this opportunity?
The activity area is categorized under Education and Health with CFDA number 93.396.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. 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
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education, which are listed separately)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities / foreign organizations
Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for institutions and organizations 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)
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted as eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant categories.
Are eligible federal agencies able to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly mentions eligible federal agencies as an additional eligible applicant category.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly highlighted among eligible applicant categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign organizations as eligible applicants.
When was this opportunity created?
The source information lists the creation date as 2019-08-28.
What is the original closing date listed in the provided information?
The original closing date listed is 2022-05-27.
How many awards are expected?
The supplied information includes a field for expected awards, but the number of expected awards is not provided in the data.
What is the overall research theme NIH is trying to advance through this FOA?
The FOA aims to advance understanding of how neural activity and neural-derived signaling influence tumor biology, with an emphasis on uncovering novel pathways of neural-tumor interaction that could eventually inform prevention and treatment strategies for cancer outside the CNS.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Neural Regulation of Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 353 Funding Number: PAR 19 353 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 355 Funding Number: PAR 19 355 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Linking the Provider Recommendation to Adolescent HPV Vaccine Uptake (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 360 Funding Number: PAR 19 360 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Linking the Provider Recommendation to Adolescent HPV Vaccine Uptake (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 358 Funding Number: PAR 19 358 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 352 Funding Number: PAR 19 352 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Linking the Provider Recommendation to Adolescent HPV Vaccine Uptake (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 359 Funding Number: PAR 19 359 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Small-Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Consortium: Therapeutic Development and Mechanisms of Resistance (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 361 Funding Number: PAR 19 361 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Integration of Imaging and Fluid-Based Tumor Monitoring in Cancer Therapy (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 363 Funding Number: PAR 19 363 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Revision Applications for Mechanisms of Drug Resistance (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 049 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Revision Applications for Mechanisms of Drug Resistance (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 050 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Revision Applications for Mechanisms of Drug Resistance (U54 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 051 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Revision Applications for Mechanisms of Drug Resistance (P01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 052 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Revision Applications for Mechanisms of Drug Resistance (P50 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 053 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Data (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 368 Funding Number: PAR 19 368 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS) (K38) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HL 20 006 Funding Number: RFA HL 20 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) (UM1 Clinical Trials Required) Apply for RFA CA 19 056 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 056 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Rat Opioid Genome Project: Clinical Trials not Allowed (U01- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 20 010 Funding Number: RFA DA 20 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving the Reach and Quality of Cancer Care in Rural Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 19 064 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 064 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Omics-guided Biobehavioral Interventions for Improved Health Outcomes: A Step Forward in Translation (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 377 Funding Number: PAR 19 377 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Informatics Technology for Cancer Research Education Center (UE5 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 042 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 042 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
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