Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium: Research Units (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions conducting early detection research on pancreatic cancer. Applicants must have institutional capacity to lead multi-disciplinary research teams and conduct biomarker studies. Organizations must be able to participate in consortium activities and share biospecimens and data with other Research Units. Eligible applicants typically include universities, cancer centers, medical schools, and research hospitals with established research infrastructure.
Key dates
- Feb 11, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 1, 2026 Application deadline in 18 days
- Dec 1, 2026 Award announced
- Dec 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), NCI solicits applications for the Research Units (RUs), one of the two scientific components of the Pancreatic Cancer Detection Consortium (PCDC), to conduct research on early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and characterization of its precursor lesions to identify patients who are at high risk of progression to cancer. The PCDC will continue to address one of the four research priorities identified in the NCI’s 2014 Scientific Framework for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The PCDC will support research for the development and testing of new molecular and imaging biomarkers for detecting PDAC early and for identifying patients at high risk of PDAC (because of genetic factors, family history and/or the presence of precursor lesions) who could be candidates for early intervention.
The PCDC-RUs will consist of multi-disciplinary teams and will undertake studies to: identify and test biomarkers measurable in bodily fluids for early detection of PDAC and/or its precursor lesions; develop molecular- and/or imaging-based markers of pancreatic cysts and determine which lesions are likely to progress to cancer; develop molecular- and/or imaging-based approaches for screening populations at high risk of PDAC; use machine learning and computational approaches towards biomarker discovery and/or validation; and conduct biomarker validation studies. The PCDC-RUs will also collect longitudinal biospecimens for building a biorepository. Each PCDC-RU is expected to participate in collaborative activities with other PCDC-RUs and share ideas, biospecimens, and data within the Consortium.
The other scientific component of the PCDC will be the Management and Data Coordination Unit, which will provide support toward study design, protocol development, statistical analysis, coordination, harmonization, data management and stewardship for the trans-PCDC collaborative projects, including biorepository building effort.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH R&D 424 (PHS 424) form
- Project Narrative/Research Strategy
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitments and Resources
- Letters of Collaboration (from partner institutions/units)
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Consortium Data Sharing Plan
- Biorepository Plan (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 DCP CBB
- 📧 ncipcdc@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
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
-
$67,679,289
-
$42,479,238
-
$38,139,324
-
$37,524,148
-
$36,939,788
-
$35,037,695
-
$30,393,940
-
$30,179,102
-
$18,143,614
-
$16,667,828
Top States by Funding
- PA 9 awards $127.6M
- WA 6 awards $109.7M
- CA 11 awards $101.7M
- TX 8 awards $91.8M
- OH 5 awards $73.1M
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 grant?
Research institutions with capability to lead multi-disciplinary teams on pancreatic cancer biomarker research. Your organization should have access to relevant patient populations and biospecimen resources.
What types of research are supported?
Development and validation of biomarkers for early PDAC detection. Studies on pancreatic cysts, high-risk populations, machine learning approaches, and longitudinal biorepository building are all eligible.
Is this grant open to individual investigators?
No, this is designed for institutional Research Units. Your organization must demonstrate capacity to participate in consortium collaboration and data sharing.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is July 1, 2026. NIH may accept applications through a rolling or fixed deadline process.
Do I need to find matching funds?
No cost sharing is required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your team's multi-disciplinary expertise in oncology, biomarkers, imaging, and bioinformatics. Clearly show how disciplines complement each other.
- Detail your access to pancreatic cancer patient populations and ability to collect longitudinal biospecimens. Describe your biorepository infrastructure.
- Highlight collaborative relationships you'll establish with other PCDC units. Show commitment to data sharing and consortium participation.
- Use preliminary data to demonstrate feasibility of your proposed biomarker research. Include pilot results validating your approach.
- Align your research directly with the four NCI pancreatic cancer priorities. Show how your unit addresses early detection and high-risk patient identification.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate the importance of consortium participation—focus only on your unit's work without articulating how you'll collaborate. Institutions without established biorepository infrastructure or patient access face steep competition. Proposals failing to connect to NCI's 2014 PDAC Scientific Framework priorities lack strategic alignment.
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