Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U2C Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 20 026

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 026

Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U2C Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunity designed specifically for organizations that already hold an active NCI U2C Resource-Related Multi-Component Project or Center award. Rather than funding an entirely new standalone project, this announcement supports revision applications (previously called competing revisions) that add a substantial, well-justified expansion to the currently funded parent award. The central idea is to speed up progress on the parent study by bringing in a new technical approach or instrument that was developed with support from the NCI Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program. In practical terms, applicants are expected to show how incorporating an IMAT-supported technology can directly strengthen, broaden, or accelerate the original aims, research questions, or overall impact of the existing U2C resource or center.

A key purpose of the program is independent validation and real-world readiness. These awards are meant to incentivize groups running established NCI-supported resources and centers to test and validate emerging IMAT technologies in settings that matter to cancer researchers, helping determine whether those tools are robust, scalable, and suitable for wider use by the appropriate research communities. By doing this within active U2C programs, the FOA leverages existing infrastructure, specimens, data systems, collaborative networks, and user communities to move promising technology from development toward credible adoption more quickly than would happen if validation were left to ad hoc efforts. As part of the IMAT ecosystem, the announcement also emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging teams to bring together technology developers, cancer biologists, clinical researchers, computational experts, and other specialists needed to integrate and evaluate innovative methods in ways that genuinely accelerate scientific discovery.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement (U2C), which typically indicates substantial programmatic involvement from NIH/NCI staff compared with a standard grant. The activity category is listed under Education and Health, and the related CFDA number is 93.394. The opportunity number is RFA-CA-20-026, and the original closing date shown is September 29, 2020 (which matters for anyone researching historical FOAs or understanding that this was time-limited). The provided source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would normally consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project period constraints, and any special review considerations tied to revisions.

Eligibility is broad in terms of organizational types, but it is narrow in the sense that applicants must be currently funded under the relevant NCI U2C mechanism and be proposing a revision to that active parent award. Eligible applicant organizations include many U.S.-based entities such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; non-federally recognized tribal organizations; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly calls out categories of organizations it welcomes, 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 agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear limits regarding foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as part of the applicant organization. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain foreign collaborations or activities when justified and structured in line with NIH policy, even though a foreign organization cannot be the primary applicant.

Overall, this FOA is best read as a targeted accelerator for technology adoption in cancer research: it connects IMAT-developed innovations with established NCI-funded U2C resources and centers that can put those innovations through meaningful, independent validation. The expected outcome is not just a proof-of-concept demonstration, but stronger evidence that a new tool or instrument is ready for broader use, thereby shortening the time between technology development and tangible impact on cancer research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U2C Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-12-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-29. (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 RFA CA 20 026

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