Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research

To improve screening and early detection strategies and to develop accurate diagnostic techniques and methods for predicting the course of disease in cancer patients. Screening and Early Detection research includes development of strategies to decrease cancer mortality by finding tumors early when they are more amenable to treatment. Diagnosis research focuses on methods to determine the presence of a specific type of cancer; to predict its course and response to therapy, both a particular therapy or a class of agents; and to monitor the effect of the therapy and the appearance of disease recurrence. These methods include diagnostic imaging and direct analyses of specimens from tumor or other tissues. Support is also provided for establishing and maintaining resources of human tissue to facilitate research. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: To expand and improve the SBIR program; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

The awardee will be a university, college, hospital, public agency, nonprofit research institution or organization, unit of tribal government, or a for-profit organization that submits an application and receives a grant or cooperative agreement for support of research by a named principal investigator. SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

Grants and cooperative agreements are funded based on scientific merit, program relevance and program balance, consistent with NCI and NIH priorities and strategic plans, and are made annually. Initial award provides funds for the first budget period (usually 12 months) and Notice of Grant Award (Form PHS 1533) indicates support recommended for the remainder of the project period, allocation of Federal funds by budget categories, and special conditions, if any. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.

(Regular Grants) Approximately 10 months. SBIR/STTR: About 7-1/2 months.
See website: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/submissionschedule.htm