Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 007
The grant opportunity titled "Development of Innovative Informatics Methods and Algorithms for Cancer Research and Management (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" is a National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding announcement under the Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (ITCR) Program. It supports exploratory and early-stage projects that create genuinely new computational methods, algorithms, and analytic approaches that can move cancer research forward. The emphasis is on innovation in biomedical computing, informatics, and data science that addresses clear, high-priority needs across the full cancer research continuum, rather than incremental tweaks to existing tools. The mechanism is an R21, which is designed for developmental work where a promising concept needs initial validation, proof of feasibility, or early performance evidence.
In practical terms, the FOA is looking for novel computational, mathematical, and statistical methods that can substantially improve how cancer-related data and knowledge are acquired, managed, analyzed, integrated, or shared. That can include approaches relevant to cancer biology (for example, computational interpretation of multi-omics data), cancer treatment and diagnosis (such as decision support or imaging analytics), early detection (including signal detection in screening and longitudinal data), risk assessment and prevention (predictive modeling and risk stratification), cancer control and epidemiology (population-level modeling and surveillance), and cancer health disparities (methods that help measure, understand, and reduce inequities in cancer outcomes). While a clinical trial is optional, the core expectation is that the informatics method or algorithm is clearly defined, technically innovative, and positioned to produce a meaningful benefit for cancer research or cancer care knowledge generation.
Because this opportunity sits within ITCR, the intent is to fund research-driven informatics technology at a stage where the main contribution is the new method itself: the conceptual advance, algorithmic novelty, and evidence that it can work and matter in a cancer-relevant setting. Competitive applications generally need a strong rationale that explains what is new about the approach, why existing methods are not sufficient, and what specific cancer research bottleneck the proposed work will address. The announcement also signals that applicants whose goals are further along the development pipeline (for example, building a full prototype product, hardening software for broad deployment, or adapting and scaling an existing platform) should look to companion FOAs that are structured for downstream technology maturation rather than exploratory method creation.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-CA-20-007) managed by the Department of Health and Human Services through NIH/NCI. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, with an expected number of about 6 awards. The original posting dates indicate it was created on January 23, 2020, with an original closing date of November 18, 2020. Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses, but not limited to them), and various government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and other applicants as specified in the full eligibility text. The funding is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399), reflecting NCI program areas that can support this kind of informatics innovation.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as seed funding for high-impact informatics ideas in cancer: projects that introduce new algorithms or methodological frameworks, demonstrate early feasibility with appropriate cancer-relevant data or use cases, and lay the groundwork for later-stage development and broader dissemination through other ITCR-aligned funding paths.Apply for RFA CA 20 007
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Development of Innovative Informatics Methods and Algorithms for Cancer Research and Management (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 23, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 18, 2020. (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.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Development of Innovative Informatics Methods and Algorithms for Cancer Research and Management (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)."
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
What program is this funding announcement associated with?
It is part of the Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (ITCR) Program, which focuses on research-driven informatics technology and innovation for cancer research and management.
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is RFA-CA-20-007.
What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
The mechanism is an NIH R21, which is intended for exploratory and early-stage (developmental) research where a promising concept needs initial validation, proof of feasibility, or early evidence of performance.
What types of projects is this FOA trying to fund?
The FOA supports exploratory and early-stage projects that create genuinely new computational methods, algorithms, and analytic approaches that can move cancer research forward, with an emphasis on innovation rather than incremental improvements to existing tools.
What is the main emphasis: building software products or creating new methods?
The emphasis is on the new method itself: conceptual advances, algorithmic novelty, and evidence it can work and matter in a cancer-relevant setting. The description signals that projects focused on later-stage productization (full prototypes, software hardening for broad deployment, or scaling/adapting existing platforms) may be better suited to companion FOAs aimed at downstream maturation.
What kinds of innovations are in scope?
In-scope work includes novel computational, mathematical, and statistical methods that substantially improve how cancer-related data and knowledge are acquired, managed, analyzed, integrated, or shared.
What parts of the cancer research continuum are relevant?
The FOA highlights needs across the full cancer research continuum, including cancer biology, diagnosis and treatment, early detection, risk assessment and prevention, cancer control and epidemiology, and cancer health disparities.
Can you give examples of the kinds of cancer-related areas mentioned?
Examples mentioned include computational interpretation of multi-omics data (cancer biology), decision support or imaging analytics (treatment/diagnosis), signal detection in screening and longitudinal data (early detection), predictive modeling and risk stratification (risk/prevention), population-level modeling and surveillance (control/epidemiology), and methods to measure, understand, and reduce inequities in outcomes (health disparities).
Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?
No. The FOA is described as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial may be included but is not required based on the information provided.
What is the core expectation for applications if a clinical trial is not the focus?
The core expectation is that the informatics method or algorithm is clearly defined, technically innovative, and positioned to produce a meaningful benefit for cancer research or cancer care knowledge generation.
What makes an application competitive according to the description?
Competitive applications generally include a strong rationale explaining what is new about the approach, why existing methods are not sufficient, and what specific cancer research bottleneck the work will address.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity states an expected number of about 6 awards.
When was this funding opportunity originally posted?
The original posting date listed is January 23, 2020.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date listed is November 18, 2020.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small businesses, but not limited to them); and various government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts). It also includes Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and other applicants as specified in the full eligibility text.
Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations are included in the eligibility description, including small businesses (but not limited to them).
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
No. The eligibility description explicitly includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes government entities such as state, county, city/township governments, and special districts, along with other specified public entities.
Does the announcement mention tribal eligibility?
Yes. Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations are included in the eligibility description.
What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant opportunity?
The description states it is a discretionary grant opportunity managed by HHS through NIH/NCI, indicating the agency has discretion in making awards under the announced terms.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The funding is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399.
Why are multiple CFDA numbers listed?
The description notes that the CFDA numbers reflect NCI program areas that can support this kind of informatics innovation.
How should applicants think about the purpose of this opportunity overall?
It is best understood as seed funding for high-impact informatics ideas in cancer: introducing new algorithms or methodological frameworks, demonstrating early feasibility with appropriate cancer-relevant data or use cases, and laying groundwork for later-stage development and broader dissemination through other ITCR-aligned funding paths.
What kinds of projects may be less appropriate for this specific R21 FOA?
The description signals that projects further along the development pipeline (such as building a full prototype product, hardening software for broad deployment, or adapting and scaling an existing platform) may be better aligned with companion FOAs intended for downstream technology maturation rather than exploratory method creation.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Advanced Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 009 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 009 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Sustained Support for Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 010 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 011 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 011 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (U01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 012 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 012 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 013 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 013 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY 2018 American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program Apply for 72ASHA18RFA00001 Funding Number: 72ASHA18RFA00001 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Utilizing Cohort Studies to Address Health Outcomes in Cancer Survivors (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 20 030 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 030 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Strengthening Institutional Capacity to Conduct Global Cancer Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (D43 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 20 031 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 031 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Metastasis Research Network (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 20 029 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 029 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Improving Smoking Cessation Interventions among People Living with HIV (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 035 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 035 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Improving Smoking Cessation Interventions among People Living with HIV (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 20 036 Funding Number: RFA CA 20 036 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Emergency Awards: Exosome-based Non-traditional Technologies Towards Multi-Parametric and Integrated Approaches for SARS-CoV-2 (U18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 018 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 018 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NLM Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health (G13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 046 Funding Number: PAR 21 046 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Advanced Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 015 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 015 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Sustained Support for Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 016 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 016 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (U01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 018 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 018 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Development of Innovative Informatics Methods and Algorithms for Cancer Research and Management (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 013 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 013 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 017 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 017 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Revision Applications to Support the Application of Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 21 019 Funding Number: RFA CA 21 019 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NIDA Translational Avant-Garde Award for Development of Medication to Treat Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 092 Funding Number: PAR 21 092 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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