Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for Years 2024, 2025, and 2026 (P50 Clinical Trial Required)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions conducting collaborative, multidisciplinary cancer research programs with clinical trial components. Eligible applicants are academic institutions, research hospitals, and organizations with NIH-approved research infrastructure. Applicants must have demonstrated capacity to lead or co-lead a clinical trial and strong preliminary data in their cancer focus area. The program supports integrated research programs combining basic, translational, and clinical sciences. Geographic scope is nationwide; international collaborators may participate as partners.
Funded activities include multidisciplinary cancer research, clinical trials, researcher training, and career development within the research program. Administrative cores, scientific cores, and individual research projects are all supported components. Institutional commitment and sustained funding are required.
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Program description
Through this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for P50 Research Center Grants for Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE). The program will fund P50 SPORE grants to support state-of-the-art investigator-initiated translational research that will contribute to improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of an organ-specific cancer or a highly related group of cancers. For the purpose of this FOA, a group of highly related cancers are those that are derived from the same organ system, such as gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine, head and neck, and other cancers. Other programmatically appropriate groups of cancers may include those centered around a common biological mechanism critical for promoting tumorigenesis and/or cancer progression in organ sites that belong to different organ systems. For example, a SPORE may focus on cancers caused by the same infectious agent or cancers promoted and sustained by dysregulation of a common signaling pathway. In addition, a SPORE may focus on cross-cutting themes such as pediatric cancers or cancer health disparities. The research supported through this program must be translational and must stem from research on human biology using cellular, molecular, structural, biochemical, and/or genetic experimental approaches. SPORE projects must have the goal of reaching a translational human endpoint within the project period of the grant.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- R&R Application Form (SF-424)
- Project Narrative and Research Plan
- Biographies and NIH Biosketches (all PDs, key personnel)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitment Letter
- Clinical Trial Protocol (if applicable)
- Research Strategy with Preliminary Data
- Letters of Support from Collaborators
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.121 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$443,702,768
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$32,310,944
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$31,252,186
-
$29,535,192
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$23,987,187
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$23,513,241
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$18,362,716
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$16,829,492
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$15,991,067
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$14,460,130
Top States by Funding
- WA 2 awards $451.6M
- CA 14 awards $145.2M
- MI 4 awards $75.8M
- PA 4 awards $68.3M
- MA 5 awards $39.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.121). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $319,987,302 | |
| 2025 | $332,151,837 | |
| 2026 est. | $337,316,521 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for a SPORE grant?
Academic medical centers, research hospitals, and universities with NIH-approved research facilities. Organizations must have strong institutional support and capacity to manage a multi-project program.
Is a clinical trial required?
Yes. This specific SPORE mechanism (P50 Clinical Trial Required) mandates at least one clinical trial component as part of the research program.
What does a SPORE program typically fund?
Multiple integrated research projects, administrative cores, scientific cores, and career development. The program emphasizes translating basic research into clinical applications.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. Applicants typically need published preliminary data, established research programs, and institutional cancer research infrastructure.
What is the typical funding range?
SPORE grants range from $500,000 to over $2 million annually, depending on scope and institutional strength. Actual amounts vary by review and priority score.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build your application around a clear cancer biology focus with a unified research theme connecting all projects.
- Include strong preliminary data from each proposed research project and documented early-phase clinical trial progress.
- Secure explicit institutional commitment letters and sustained funding pledges from your institution's leadership.
- Develop a robust Administrative Core with experienced cancer research program management and a Scientific Core providing shared resources.
- Identify and recruit experienced junior investigators with mentorship plans as part of your career development component.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak preliminary data or lack of published results from research team. Insufficient clinical trial planning or unrealistic timelines for enrollment and milestones. Inadequate institutional commitment or insufficient matching funds for a program of this scale.
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