Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 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 research institutions and individual researchers developing innovative cancer technologies. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent scientific training. The work must focus on early-stage projects proposing proof-of-concept or pilot studies to test technical feasibility. Eligible technologies include molecular and cellular analysis platforms, multi-omic profiling, imaging systems, immuno-engineering approaches, and biospecimen innovations for cancer research or clinical care applications.
Academic institutions, research hospitals, nonprofit research organizations, and small businesses can apply. Solo investigators are not eligible; applicants must be affiliated with an eligible institution. The project must demonstrate high technical innovation potential to accelerate cancer research, screening, diagnosis, or treatment. Clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism.
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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 to develop innovative technologies for cancer research or clinical care. The emphasis of this NOFO is on early-stage projects proposing proof-of-concept/pilot studies to test the technical feasibility of the proposed method, tool, assay, platform, or instrument.
Well-suited applications must offer a high degree of technical innovation and 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.
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/Research Strategy
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Biographical Sketch (PHS 398)
- Institutional Support Letter
- References and Appendices (if needed)
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
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$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
Can I submit a proposal focused on a non-cancer application of this technology?
No. While the technology may have broader applicability, your proposal must focus on cancer research or clinical care applications to be in-scope.
Are clinical trials allowed under this mechanism?
No. This is explicitly the "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" version of the R61. Your project must be limited to proof-of-concept and technical feasibility studies.
What is the typical project duration?
R61 projects typically run 2 years, though the exact duration should be specified in the detailed funding opportunity announcement.
How competitive is this funding?
Very competitive. The total pool is $5.4M with an average award of approximately $150K, meaning only a fraction of applications can be funded. Strong technical innovation and clear feasibility evidence are essential.
Can I include salaries for my research team?
Yes. Personnel costs are typically allowable. Ensure your budget narrative justifies all staffing needs for technical development.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on technical feasibility and proof-of-concept. Show preliminary data or strong rationale that your approach will work within the project period.
- Emphasize innovation and technical novelty. Reviewers must clearly understand what makes your technology different or significantly improved compared to existing approaches.
- Address the specific cancer application areas explicitly. Connect your technology to cancer biology, screening, diagnosis, treatment, or epidemiology with concrete examples.
- Use your budget efficiently for a small award. Prioritize spending on technology development activities over indirect costs or administrative expenses.
- Build strong collaborations if needed. Partner with institutions that have complementary expertise or equipment access to strengthen feasibility and impact potential.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing a full clinical trial or clinical validation study instead of early-stage feasibility work. Lack of clear technical innovation or insufficient differentiation from existing technologies. Failing to focus the proposed technology specifically on cancer applications.
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