Research Projects to Enhance Applicability of Mammalian Models for Translational Research (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 131

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 131

This grant opportunity, titled "Research Projects to Enhance Applicability of Mammalian Models for Translational Research (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (PAR-20-131), is an NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI) Funding Opportunity Announcement that supports research aimed at making mammalian cancer and tumor models more useful, more credible, and more directly informative for translational research. The central focus is practical: applicants are expected to strengthen the real-world relevance of mammalian oncology models so that results from these models more reliably reflect human cancer biology and can better support clinically important decisions. In other words, the program is trying to close the gap between what works in animal or model systems and what ultimately benefits patients.

A key theme of the FOA is improving confidence that mammalian models (and model-derived systems) are robust representations of human disease. The NCI is looking for projects that show, with convincing evidence, that a given model is appropriate for testing questions that matter clinically and that the model can generate reliable information that could translate to patient benefit. This is positioned as different from many traditional, mechanistic R01 projects that use mammalian systems primarily for hypothesis-driven basic research. Instead of prioritizing discovery of mechanism for its own sake, this FOA prioritizes improving translational performance: refining models, proving their relevance, and establishing how and when they should be used to answer translational questions.

The scope is intentionally broad, and the FOA highlights several example directions applicants could take. Projects may demonstrate ways to overcome known translational deficiencies in common mammalian oncology models, such as situations where a model fails to mimic human tumor biology, immune interactions, tumor microenvironment features, treatment responses, or patterns of resistance. Applications could also define new uses for existing mammalian models or their genetics to tackle translational challenges that have not been adequately addressed before. Another major area is advancing standard practices for translational model use, which can include improving rigor, reproducibility, benchmarking, and harmonizing how models are selected, characterized, and deployed across research settings. The announcement also explicitly encourages work to validate and "credential" models, meaning systematic approaches to demonstrate that a model is fit-for-purpose for a particular translational question, and to challenge entrenched practices that may be producing misleading or non-generalizable results.

The funding mechanism is an R01 research project grant, and clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and falls under health and education-related activity categories, with CFDA numbers listed as 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, and 93.396. The listed award ceiling is $450,000 (as provided in the source data). The FOA record indicates an original closing date of 2023-05-07 and a creation date of 2020-03-12.

Eligibility is wide and includes many types of organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Higher education institutions are eligible across public/state-controlled and private categories. Tribal entities are eligible, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments). Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether they have 501(c)(3) status or not (so long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories), and for-profit organizations are eligible (other than small businesses), as are small businesses and other types of applicants. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant groups, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American 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 government agencies, regional organizations, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), and U.S. territories or possessions. Overall, the intent is to attract a diverse set of applicants capable of improving how mammalian cancer and tumor models are used to produce results that hold up when moved toward clinical application.

• 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 2020-03-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-07. (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 $450,000.00 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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