Integration of Imaging and Fluid-Based Tumor Monitoring in Cancer Therapy (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers investigating the integration of imaging and fluid-based biomarkers (liquid biopsies) for monitoring tumor response during cancer therapy. It is offered by the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute (NCI) as an R01-mechanism grant. Eligible applicants typically include domestic nonprofit research institutions, universities, academic medical centers, hospitals, and for-profit organizations with appropriate research infrastructure. Foreign institutions may be eligible if they meet NIH criteria. Applications must demonstrate scientific and clinical merit, proposing novel or improved approaches to cancer monitoring. Clinical trial optional means applicants may design studies with or without clinical trial components. Geographic scope is nationwide for U.S. institutions. The program supports research that integrates advanced imaging technologies with circulating biomarkers to improve cancer treatment response assessment and patient outcomes.
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Program description
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research project (R01) grant applications describing projects that integrate imaging and fluid-based tumor monitoring (liquid biopsy) assays during cancer therapy in patients to determine the optimal use of those modalities in the characterization of therapy response and/or emergence of resistance.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form and required face page
- Project Narrative (typically 12-15 pages)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification (Form 424C or modular budget)
- Biographical Sketch of Principal Investigator and key personnel (NIH format)
- Resource Sharing Plans (data management, model organism availability, etc.)
- Letters of Support from collaborating institutions and core facilities
- Preliminary Data and Figures section
- Publication list and relevant references
- Institutional Assurance documentation
- Clinical trial protocol (if clinical trial component is included)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.393 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$213,206,023
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$56,551,552
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$48,640,472
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$47,009,863
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$42,878,192
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$37,448,862
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$29,324,004
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$26,395,336
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$24,427,436
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$23,149,727
Top States by Funding
- MA 10 awards $374.4M
- CA 10 awards $260.1M
- MN 4 awards $106.9M
- NY 7 awards $99.9M
- TN 7 awards $97.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.393). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $754,945,159 | |
| 2025 | $834,514,512 | |
| 2026 est. | $520,096,276 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Domestic and foreign nonprofit research institutions, universities, academic medical centers, hospitals, and for-profit organizations with established research capabilities. Principal investigators must have appropriate research experience and institutional research support.
When are the application deadlines?
The fixed deadline for this funding cycle is January 7, 2028. Applications typically open about 2-3 months before the deadline. Check NIH's Office of Extramural Research website for specific submission cutoff times.
What types of research activities are supported?
Research integrating imaging modalities (CT, MRI, PET, etc.) with fluid-based tumor biomarkers (circulating tumor DNA, exosomes, etc.) for cancer therapy monitoring. Studies may be basic/translational or include clinical trial components.
How competitive is this grant?
R01 grants are among the most competitive NIH mechanisms. Success rates typically range from 15-25% depending on the institute. Strong preliminary data and clear innovation are essential.
What is the typical funding range?
R01 grants typically range from $250,000 to $500,000 per year in direct costs, with project periods of 3-5 years. Budget depends on research scope and institutional cost structures.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish strong preliminary data demonstrating proof-of-concept for your integrated imaging and fluid biomarker approach before submission. NIH reviewers expect compelling evidence of feasibility.
- Clearly articulate the clinical/translational impact of your specific combination of monitoring strategies and explain why this integration provides advantages over current single-modality approaches.
- Include a detailed statistical analysis and power calculation plan, especially if your application incorporates a clinical trial component, as this significantly strengthens competitiveness.
- Secure strong institutional support letters and commit resources (particularly for imaging core facilities and biomarker assay capabilities) to demonstrate institutional confidence in the project.
- Build a multidisciplinary team with imaging specialists, oncologists, and biomarker experts, and clearly define roles and expertise to show you have assembled the right talent for this complex research.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they propose imaging or biomarker monitoring independently without clearly demonstrating the novel value of integration. Reviewers also commonly reject applications lacking sufficient preliminary data or clinical validation strategy, or those with unrealistic budgets for the scope proposed. Additionally, weak team composition or failure to address known limitations of current imaging/biomarker approaches significantly reduces competitiveness.
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