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 developing and validating emerging technologies for cancer research and clinical care. Applicants must demonstrate preliminary data showing they've overcome major feasibility gaps. The proposed technology must have potential for broad adoption by the research community.
Eligible recipients include research institutions, universities, and cancer centers. Applicants may propose technologies in molecular analysis, imaging, immuno-engineering, biospecimen processing, and related areas. Clinical trials and applications of existing technologies are not eligible.
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Key dates
- Jul 14, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 4, 2027 Application deadline in 323 days
- Apr 1, 2028 Award announced
- Apr 15, 2028 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 for cancer research or clinical care. 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, enhancements, optimizations, and rigorous technical 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, cancer control, and/or epidemiology. Projects that are in-scope include technologies with new or significantly improved technical capabilities to measure, analyze, model, or interrogate cancer-related systems. These may include, but are not limited to, advanced molecular and cellular analysis platforms, multi-omic and spatial profiling methods, imaging and sensing technologies, immuno-engineering approaches, and innovations in biospecimen processing, modeling, and quality assessment. Technologies proposed for development may have potential for widespread applicability but must be focused in this proposal on cancer applications. Projects proposing application of existing technologies where the novelty resides in the clinical target or biological question being pursued are not appropriate for this solicitation.
This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketch(es)
- Research Strategy
- Preliminary Data Section
Program contact
- 👤 IMAT Program Contact
- 📧 NCI-IMAT@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
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$36,939,788
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$35,037,695
-
$30,393,940
-
$30,179,102
-
$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
What types of organizations can apply?
Research institutions, universities, academic medical centers, and cancer research organizations. Check with NCI for your specific organization type.
Can clinical trials be included in the project?
No. This R33 mechanism is for technology development and validation, not clinical trials.
What counts as "emerging technology" for this grant?
Novel measurement platforms, multi-omic methods, advanced imaging, immuno-engineering, or biospecimen innovations. Existing technologies applied to new cancer problems are not eligible.
How competitive is this funding?
Very competitive. Applications need strong preliminary data, clear validation plans, and evidence of potential community adoption.
What's the typical funding level and timeline?
Awards are typically up to $300,000. Projects usually span 2-3 years with milestones for technology development and validation.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Lead with preliminary data that demonstrates you've overcome major feasibility obstacles for your technology.
- Show how your technology will be adopted by the cancer research community beyond your own lab.
- Include clear, measurable validation milestones and technical performance benchmarks.
- Emphasize novelty in the technology itself, not just the cancer application.
- Provide a realistic timeline with intermediate deliverables for development and testing phases.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting applications that focus on clinical trials or patient studies rather than technology development. Proposing applications of existing technologies without demonstrating genuine technical innovation. Lacking sufficient preliminary data showing the feasibility of the approach.
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