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

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 161

Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (PAR-22-161) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health funding opportunity that uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01) to help launch and build new population-based cancer epidemiology cohorts. The central aim is to create the next generation of research cohorts that can fill important gaps in what is known about why cancers develop (etiology) and what influences outcomes after cancer (survivorship). Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, awardees should expect substantial scientific involvement from NCI staff during the project period, with the government playing an active partner role rather than simply providing a standard research grant. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement, so the focus is on cohort development, methods, and observational epidemiologic infrastructure rather than interventional testing.

The opportunity is designed to support the foundational and methodological work needed to initiate and build these cohorts so they can answer high-priority cancer questions that existing cohorts may not be well positioned to address. Two major scientific thrusts are emphasized. First, NCI is looking for cohorts that can evaluate new or unique exposures and how those exposures relate to cancer risk and cancer-related outcomes. This can include emerging environmental, occupational, behavioral, social, technological, or biologic exposures, especially those that have not been well captured in prior cohort designs or that require new measurement approaches. Second, the program strongly prioritizes the creation of cohorts that achieve meaningful diversity by including understudied and underrepresented populations, such as specific racial and ethnic groups, rural communities, and people living in persistent poverty areas. A key expectation embedded in this second thrust is substantial community engagement, meaning applicants should plan for partnership approaches that build trust, improve relevance, and support long-term participation and retention in the cohort.

The scope is explicitly population-based cancer epidemiology, which typically 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. While the announcement highlights methodological support for initiating and building cohorts, that generally implies activities like 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. The overall idea is to put in place the infrastructure and study design elements that make the cohort scientifically powerful and sustainable for answering specific, clearly articulated knowledge gaps.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants commonly eligible for NIH opportunities, such as state, county, 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; tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other organizations. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicant types that align with its emphasis on diverse populations and community engagement, including 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); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility is consistent with NCI seeking cohort-building efforts that are rooted in many kinds of institutions, including those with strong community ties and those serving populations historically underrepresented in research.

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, within the education and health activity category, and is associated with CFDA number 93.393. The source information lists an original closing date of February 28, 2025, and notes that an award ceiling and expected number of awards were not specified in the provided excerpt. Overall, the program is best understood as support for building cohort platforms that can generate high-value epidemiologic evidence on cancer causes and survivorship, with particular attention to capturing novel exposures and ensuring that the resulting cohorts reflect the diversity of the U.S. population, including communities that have often been missing from large-scale cancer research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-04-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-28. (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.

Apply for PAR 22 161

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