Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 22 161

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts opportunity (PAR-22-161)?

PAR-22-161 is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health funding opportunity that supports the launch and build-out of new population-based cancer epidemiology cohorts. The goal is to create the next generation of research cohorts that can address important gaps in knowledge about why cancers develop (etiology) and what influences outcomes after cancer (survivorship).

Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The announcement uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01). This means the government expects to be an active scientific partner during the project period rather than serving only as a funder under a standard research grant.

What does "substantial scientific involvement from NCI staff" mean in practice?

Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, awardees should expect meaningful engagement from NCI staff across the project period, with the government playing an active partner role in the scientific activities supported under the award.

Are clinical trials allowed under this announcement?

No. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. The focus is on cohort development, methods, and observational epidemiologic infrastructure rather than interventional testing.

What is the main purpose of the funding?

The main purpose is to support foundational and methodological work needed to initiate and build new population-based cancer epidemiology cohorts so they can address high-priority cancer questions that existing cohorts may not be well positioned to answer.

What types of research questions is NCI trying to enable through these cohorts?

The funded cohorts are intended to fill gaps in understanding cancer etiology (why cancers develop) and survivorship (what influences outcomes after cancer), including cancer incidence, progression, survivorship experiences, and related outcomes observed over time.

What are the two major scientific priorities (thrusts) emphasized in the announcement?

The announcement emphasizes two major scientific thrusts: (1) building cohorts that can evaluate new or unique exposures and how they relate to cancer risk and cancer-related outcomes; and (2) building cohorts that achieve meaningful diversity by including understudied and underrepresented populations, supported by substantial community engagement.

What does the opportunity mean by "new or unique exposures"?

It refers to emerging or previously under-captured exposures that could influence cancer risk or outcomes, such as environmental, occupational, behavioral, social, technological, or biologic exposures, especially those that require new measurement approaches or have not been well captured in prior cohort designs.

Which populations are prioritized for meaningful diversity in cohort participation?

The opportunity prioritizes inclusion of understudied and underrepresented populations, including specific racial and ethnic groups, rural communities, and people living in persistent poverty areas.

Is community engagement required or encouraged?

Community engagement is a key expectation in the announcement, particularly tied to the priority of building diverse cohorts. Applicants are expected to plan partnership approaches that build trust, improve relevance, and support long-term participation and retention.

What does "population-based cancer epidemiology cohort" mean in this context?

In this context, it generally means building or expanding large, well-characterized groups of participants who can be followed over time to observe cancer incidence, progression, survivorship experiences, and related outcomes using observational epidemiologic approaches.

What kinds of activities are in scope for cohort building under this funding opportunity?

The scope includes foundational and methodological activities needed to initiate and build cohorts, such as designing recruitment strategies; developing data and biospecimen collection systems; establishing exposure assessment tools; creating follow-up and outcome ascertainment procedures; planning for data harmonization and interoperability; and implementing approaches that improve representation, retention, and ethical engagement with communities.

Is this funding intended to support long-term cohort infrastructure?

The opportunity supports putting in place infrastructure and study design elements that make a cohort scientifically powerful and sustainable for answering specific, clearly articulated knowledge gaps.

Does the announcement focus on studying cancer incidence only?

No. The scope includes observing cancer incidence as well as progression, survivorship experiences, and related outcomes over time.

Is the program limited to U.S. applicants?

No. Eligibility is broad and includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), in addition to many domestic applicant types.

What types of U.S. government entities are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments and special district governments, among other eligible organization types listed in the announcement summary.

Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments) are also listed as eligible.

Are nonprofits eligible, including those without 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible applicant types.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are listed as eligible.

Are community-based and faith-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The announcement specifically includes faith-based or community-based organizations among eligible applicants.

Are minority-serving institutions explicitly included as eligible applicants?

Yes. The eligibility list includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible applicant types.

Is this opportunity categorized as discretionary funding?

Yes. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.

What activity categories are associated with this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with the education and health activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.393.

What is the application deadline listed in the provided information?

The source information lists an original closing date of February 28, 2025.

Is an award ceiling provided in the information excerpt?

No. An award ceiling was not specified in the provided excerpt.

Is the expected number of awards provided in the information excerpt?

No. The expected number of awards was not specified in the provided excerpt.

What is the overall takeaway for applicants considering this opportunity?

This opportunity is best understood as support for building cohort platforms that can generate high-value observational epidemiologic evidence on cancer causes and survivorship, with particular attention to capturing novel exposures and ensuring cohorts reflect meaningful diversity, including communities often missing from large-scale cancer research.