Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for NIH-funded basic research focused on cancer health disparities. Applicants must be research institutions, universities, or eligible organizations with NIH registration. The principal investigator must hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field. Research must address fundamental cancer biology mechanisms as they relate to underserved populations. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed. Projects may be domestic or international in scope, but U.S. institutions are prioritized.
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Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages grant applications from investigators interested in conducting basic, mechanistic research into the biological/genetic causes of cancer health disparities. These research project grants will support innovative studies designed to investigate biological/genetic bases of cancer disparities, such as (1) mechanistic studies of biological factors associated with cancer disparities, including those related to basic research in cancer biology or cancer prevention strategies, (2) the development and testing of new methodologies and models, and (3) secondary data analyses. This NOFO is also designed to aid and facilitate the growth of a nationwide cohort of scientists with a high level of basic research expertise in cancer health disparities research who can expand available resources and tools, such as biospecimens, patient derived models, and methods that are necessary to conduct basic research in cancer health disparities.
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
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative (Research Plan)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketches for key personnel
- Letters of support from collaborators
- Institutional commitment letter
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
- Cancer-related forms if applicable (e.g., cancer site specificity)
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
-
$47,009,863
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$42,878,192
-
$37,448,862
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$29,324,004
-
$26,395,336
-
$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 can apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, and eligible organizations with NIH registration. The PI must hold a PhD, MD, DVM, DDS, or equivalent doctoral degree.
What research is supported?
Basic research on cancer mechanisms relevant to health disparities. Clinical trials are not eligible.
What is the typical funding range?
R01 grants typically range from $250,000 to $500,000 in total costs per year, depending on the field and project scope.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. Success rates for NIH R01s typically range from 10-15% across most institutes.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is January 7, 2028. Applications must be submitted by 5 PM ET on that date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ground your research question in existing literature and clearly demonstrate the gap your work will fill.
- Align your research with the specific mission and research priorities of the relevant NIH institute.
- Include preliminary data or feasibility evidence to show your team can execute the proposed work.
- Address health disparities explicitly: explain which populations, mechanisms, and outcomes you're targeting.
- Build a strong, collaborative team with complementary expertise in basic cancer research and disparity science.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate the need for strong preliminary data. Reviewers reject weak or unfocused descriptions of how the research addresses health disparities. Budgets that exceed NIH guidelines or lack sufficient detail for review cause delays.
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