Molecular Imaging of Inflammation in Cancer (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 biomedical researchers seeking funding for investigator-initiated research on molecular imaging techniques to study inflammation in cancer tissues. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, teaching hospitals, and other nonprofits with research capacity, led by researchers with doctoral degrees (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent). Applicants must have a research institution that is capable of managing federal awards and has appropriate research infrastructure. NIH R01 grants support research projects ranging from basic science to translational work. This particular funding mechanism explicitly excludes clinical trial components, so applications proposing clinical trial activities will be rejected. Research can be conducted at domestic or international institutions, but the applicant organization must be eligible to receive federal funds.
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Program description
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite research grant applications (R01) for the development and use of current and emerging molecular imaging methods to gain fundamental insights into cancer inflammation in vivo.
The motivation for this initiative is that much of current imaging research into the role of inflammation in cancer is largely based on in vitro and ex vivo methods with limited utilization of imaging approaches that could lead to significant new insights relevant to dynamic cancer and inflammation interactions. Utilization of molecular imaging probes in pre-clinical and clinical investigations for precise temporal resolution at the molecular and cellular level are valuable approaches for identification and characterization of in vivo inflammatory cellular physiology in cancers and of molecular changes in response to treatment.
This FOA encourages applications that focus on developing integrated imaging approaches to interrogate the role of inflammation in cancer through strong cross-field collaboration between cancer basic science researchers and imaging scientists. These collaborations are expected to advance science and understanding of cancer inflammation interactions.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form and supporting certifications
- Project Narrative (Research Strategy: Significance, Innovation, Approach; typically 12-15 pages)
- Specific Aims (1-2 pages maximum)
- Bibliography and References Cited
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification (typically for Year 1 and total project costs)
- Biographical Sketches of all key personnel (NIH format, 4-5 pages each)
- Facilities and Resources section
- Letters of Support from collaborating institutions or equipment providers
- IRB/IACUC approval documentation or justification for exemption
- Conflict of Interest disclosures (institutional and individual)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
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
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$30,393,940
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$30,179,102
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$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
Who can apply for this R01 grant?
Independent investigators with doctoral degrees at research institutions, universities, and hospitals are eligible. Early-career researchers and established investigators can apply. The investigator does not need to have prior NIH funding but must have appropriate research credentials.
Can my project include clinical trials?
No. This funding mechanism explicitly prohibits clinical trial activities. If your research involves testing interventions in human subjects in a clinical trial context, you are not eligible for this grant.
What is the typical funding range for R01 grants?
R01 awards typically provide $250,000-$500,000 total costs per year for 3-5 years, though the exact amount depends on the scope and reviewers' assessment. Check the funding opportunity announcement for specific limits.
What is the competitive review process like?
Applications are reviewed by peer review committees (study sections) composed of scientific experts. Reviewers assess scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and alignment with NIH priorities. Competition is substantial; typical funding rates are 20-25% for R01s.
When are applications due and when would I hear about funding?
The next deadline is January 7, 2028. Applicants are typically notified of funding decisions 4-5 months after the deadline. If funded, projects typically begin 8-9 months after the application deadline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly distinguish your molecular imaging approach from clinical trials; describe the preclinical, translational, or observational research setting to avoid summary dismissal for including prohibited clinical trial activities.
- Include preliminary data demonstrating feasibility of your imaging methodology, inflammation biomarkers, and cancer models; reviewers expect strong evidence of innovation and technical rigor.
- Address the specific aims clearly and concisely (typically 1-2 pages maximum) so reviewers immediately understand your research question and imaging innovation for inflammation in cancer.
- Justify your budget carefully and include detailed letters of support from collaborators and institutions confirming access to equipment, tissues, or imaging facilities needed for the research.
- Engage institutional research office early; federal R01s require significant institutional commitment and compliance infrastructure (IACUC, IRB, biosafety, conflict of interest documentation).
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications are often rejected because they inadvertently include clinical trial components (subject recruitment, intervention testing, randomization) that violate the "clinical trial not allowed" restriction. Additionally, many applications lack sufficient preliminary data to demonstrate technical feasibility of the imaging approach, or they fail to clearly articulate how the inflammation imaging advances understanding of cancer biology beyond existing methods. Weak budget justification and insufficient institutional support documentation are also common reasons for poor review scores.
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