Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 281
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is offering an NIH R01 funding opportunity (PAR-23-281) focused on making mammalian cancer and tumor models more useful and trustworthy for translational research. The core idea is not to fund another typical mechanistic biology project, but to support practical, evidence-driven work that shows whether commonly used mammalian models (and model derivatives such as transplantation models or models derived from mammalian or human tissues or cells) actually reflect human cancer biology well enough to answer clinically important questions. NCI is looking for projects that improve confidence in how these models predict patient-relevant outcomes, reduce known gaps between preclinical findings and clinical reality, and generate more reliable information that can ultimately benefit patients.
The emphasis is on improving the applicability, rigor, and real-world relevance of mammalian oncology models. Proposed projects can take many forms, but they should be geared toward demonstrating and documenting model performance for translational purposes. Examples of the kinds of work encouraged include: showing concrete ways to overcome known translational deficiencies in existing models; defining new uses for mammalian models (or specific genetic backgrounds and engineered systems) to tackle translational problems that have not been well addressed; improving and spreading standard practices for model selection, experimental design, and interpretation in translational settings; developing and testing methods to validate, benchmark, or "credential" models for specific clinical questions; and even directly challenging entrenched practices around how models are used when people try to draw conclusions relevant to patients. In other words, the goal is to raise the bar on how models are evaluated and used, so that results from mammalian studies are more reproducible, more interpretable, and more predictive when moving toward human application.
This is an R01 grant mechanism, and the opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the funded work should not include clinical trials. The activity sits in the NIH/NCI health-related research space (CFDA numbers 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396), and it is categorized in the listing as Education and Health, reflecting the broader NIH framing even though the projects themselves are research-focused.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and some non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city/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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and foreign (non-U.S.) organizations.
Key administrative details provided include that the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (with the program led by NCI), the funding instrument is a grant, and the original closing date is listed as 2026-09-07. An award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, suggesting applicants should consult the full NOFO text for budget expectations, project period norms, and any institute-specific guidance. The opportunity was created on 2023-08-18. Overall, the NOFO is designed for teams that can bring strong translational judgment, rigorous validation strategies, and practical model-improvement approaches to the problem of making mammalian cancer models more predictive and more credible as tools that inform patient-oriented research decisions.Apply for PAR 23 281
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Projects to Enhance Applicability of Mammalian Models for Translational Research (R01 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): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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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FAQs: NIH/NCI R01 (PAR-23-281) - Improving Mammalian Cancer and Tumor Models for Translational Research
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-led NIH R01 funding opportunity (PAR-23-281) focused on making mammalian cancer and tumor models more useful, more rigorous, and more trustworthy for translational cancer research.
What is the main goal of PAR-23-281?
The main goal is to support practical, evidence-driven work that evaluates whether commonly used mammalian cancer models (and related model derivatives) reflect human cancer biology well enough to answer clinically important questions, and to improve confidence in how well these models predict patient-relevant outcomes.
Is this opportunity intended for standard mechanistic biology studies?
No. The emphasis is not on funding another typical mechanistic biology project. Instead, the focus is on translational relevance and model performance: documenting, validating, benchmarking, and improving how models are evaluated and used to support patient-relevant conclusions.
What types of models are included under this opportunity?
The opportunity covers mammalian cancer and tumor models and model derivatives, including transplantation models and models derived from mammalian or human tissues or cells, as described in the provided information.
What kinds of projects does NCI want to support?
Projects should be geared toward demonstrating and documenting model performance for translational purposes. The focus is on increasing applicability, rigor, real-world relevance, reproducibility, interpretability, and predictive value when translating findings toward human application.
What are some examples of encouraged project approaches?
Examples described include: (1) showing concrete ways to overcome known translational deficiencies in existing models; (2) defining new uses for mammalian models (or specific genetic backgrounds and engineered systems) to address translational problems that have not been well addressed; (3) improving and spreading standard practices for model selection, experimental design, and interpretation in translational settings; (4) developing and testing methods to validate, benchmark, or credential models for specific clinical questions; and (5) directly challenging entrenched practices around how models are used for patient-relevant conclusions.
What does it mean to "credential" or benchmark a model in this context?
Based on the description provided, credentialing/benchmarking refers to developing and testing evidence-based methods to validate or compare models for specific clinical questions, so researchers can better judge when a model is appropriate, reliable, and predictive for translational use.
How does this opportunity aim to improve translational research outcomes?
It aims to reduce known gaps between preclinical findings and clinical reality by strengthening evidence about model performance, improving experimental rigor and interpretation, and producing more reliable information that can inform patient-oriented research decisions.
Is this a clinical trial funding opportunity?
No. The opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the funded work should not include clinical trials.
What grant mechanism is being used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism.
Which agency is sponsoring and leading this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the program led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the focus area or research domain?
The work sits in the NIH/NCI health-related research space and is listed under Education and Health in the provided listing context, while the described projects are research-focused and centered on translational oncology model rigor and applicability.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed are 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, and 93.396.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and some non-U.S. entities, as listed in the provided information.
Are state, county, and local governments eligible?
Yes. State governments, county governments, and city or township governments are listed as eligible applicants. Special district governments are also listed as eligible.
Are higher education institutions eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) and nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are also listed. The information also calls out Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among the additional eligible applicant categories.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations are included in the listed eligible applicant categories.
Are specific institution types like HBCUs and Hispanic-serving institutions eligible?
Yes. The information explicitly calls out categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are listed among eligible applicant categories.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included in the additional eligible applicant categories listed.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Does the provided information specify an award ceiling?
No. An award ceiling is not specified in the provided data; applicants are directed (by implication) to consult the full NOFO for budget expectations and related guidance.
Does the provided information specify the expected number of awards?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided data; applicants should consult the full NOFO text for details.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date is listed as 2026-09-07.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2023-08-18.
What kinds of applicant teams are a good fit for this NOFO?
Based on the description provided, this NOFO is designed for teams that can bring strong translational judgment, rigorous validation strategies, and practical model-improvement approaches to make mammalian cancer models more predictive and credible for patient-relevant research decisions.
What should applicants do if they need budget or project period norms?
Because award ceiling, expected number of awards, and budget expectations are not specified in the provided information, applicants should consult the full NOFO text for budget expectations, project period norms, and any institute-specific guidance.
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