Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and institutions developing and validating emerging cancer research technologies. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, and government laboratories. The R33 mechanism supports high-risk, innovative biomedical research that moves beyond proof-of-concept. U.S. based organizations with NIH funding capacity are typically preferred. Clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism.
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Key dates
- Jun 3, 2026 Applications open
- Nov 10, 2026 Application deadline in 117 days
- Dec 1, 2026 Award announced
- Dec 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing exploratory research projects focused on further development and validation of emerging technologies offering novel capabilities for targeting, probing, analyzing, handling, or performing quality control of biospecimens used for basic or clinical cancer research. This NOFO solicits R33 applications where major feasibility gaps for the technology or methodology have been overcome, as demonstrated with supportive preliminary data, but still requires further development and rigorous validation to encourage adoption by the research community. Well-suited applications must offer the potential to accelerate and/or enhance research in the areas of cancer biology, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment, control, epidemiology, and/or address issues associated with cancer health disparities. Technologies proposed for development may be intended to have widespread applicability but must be focused in this proposal on cancer applications. Projects proposing application of existing technologies where the novelty resides in the biological or clinical target/question being pursued are not appropriate for this solicitation and will not be reviewed. This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 R&R (Application for Federal Assistance)
- R&R Budget Form
- Project Narrative and Specific Aims
- Biographical Sketches (PIs and key personnel)
- References Cited
- Facilities and Resources
- Letters of Support (as applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Kelly Crotty, Ph.D.
- 📧 Kelly.crotty@nih.gov
- 📞 240-255-0917
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.394 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$67,679,289
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$42,479,238
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$38,139,324
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$37,552,767
-
$36,939,788
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$35,037,695
-
$30,393,940
-
$30,179,102
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$18,390,244
-
$18,143,614
Top States by Funding
- PA 10 awards $135.7M
- WA 7 awards $122.3M
- CA 12 awards $108.0M
- TX 8 awards $92.9M
- OH 5 awards $73.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.394). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $540,918,671 | |
| 2025 | $602,293,691 | |
| 2026 est. | $716,748,079 |
FAQ
Who can apply for an R33 grant?
Universities, nonprofits, small businesses, and government labs can apply. Your institution must have NIH administrative capability and a Federal Identifier Number.
What types of projects are funded?
R33s support advanced development and validation of emerging technologies. Projects must move beyond proof-of-concept toward practical application in cancer research.
Are clinical trials allowed?
No. This mechanism explicitly excludes clinical trials. Focus on basic and translational research using emerging technologies.
What is the typical project timeline?
R33s typically support 2-4 year projects. Check the Notice of Funding Opportunity for specific budget periods.
What funding amounts can I expect?
R33 awards vary widely based on project scope. Review recent FOAs or contact NIH for typical ranges in your research area.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize technological innovation and rigorous validation. Show how your technology advances cancer research beyond current methods.
- Include preliminary data demonstrating proof-of-concept. Reviewers expect evidence that your approach is feasible and promising.
- Clearly delineate development versus validation activities. Show concrete milestones and success metrics for each phase.
- Address commercialization potential or broader research impact. R33s fund technologies that benefit the wider research community.
- Budget realistically for technology validation. Include costs for reagents, equipment calibration, and independent testing.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing clinical trials or clinical applications. Submitting weak preliminary data or insufficient proof-of-concept. Unclear metrics for validating the technology.
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