Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for Years 2027, 2028, and 2029 (P50 Clinical Trial Required)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and medical centers conducting translational cancer research. Applicants must be able to mount a state-of-the-art research program with multidisciplinary teams focused on a specific organ-system cancer or highly related group of cancers. The research must translate from human biology studies (cellular, molecular, genetic approaches) toward a clinical endpoint. A clinical trial is required as part of the program.
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Key dates
- Oct 14, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 4, 2027 Award announced
- Jun 11, 2027 Project start
- Sep 25, 2029 Application deadline in 1071 days
Program description
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for P50 Research Center Grants for Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE). This is a re-issuance of PAR-23-284. 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 NOFO, 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 epigenetics. 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
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application form
- Project Narrative and Research Strategy
- Specific Aims
- Research Design and Methods
- Preliminary Data
- Multi-year budget and budget narrative
- Biographical sketches of key personnel
- Institutional commitment letters
- Clinical trial protocol (or outline if in early stage)
- Facilities and resources documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Bradley T. Scroggins
- 📧 bradley.scroggins@nih.gov
- 📞 240-276-7860
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
-
$443,702,768
-
$32,310,944
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$31,252,186
-
$29,535,192
-
$23,987,187
-
$23,513,241
-
$18,362,716
-
$16,829,492
-
$16,115,056
-
$15,991,067
Top States by Funding
- WA 2 awards $451.6M
- CA 14 awards $145.7M
- MI 4 awards $76.3M
- PA 4 awards $68.3M
- MA 5 awards $47.8M
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?
Research institutions, universities, and medical centers with established cancer research programs. Your institution must have institutional cancer research support and the ability to mount multidisciplinary teams.
What cancers can my SPORE focus on?
Single organ-specific cancers, related cancers from the same organ system (like gastrointestinal or head and neck), or cross-cutting themes like pediatric cancers or epigenetics. Other programmatically appropriate cancer groups (same infectious agent, common signaling pathway) are also eligible.
Is this research-only or does it require clinical involvement?
A clinical trial is required. The research must be translational and have a goal of reaching a human clinical endpoint within the project period.
What is the deadline and typical project duration?
The deadline is January 25, 2027. P50 SPOREs typically support 5-year projects with potential for renewal.
What makes a SPORE application competitive?
Strong preliminary data showing translational promise, a well-integrated multidisciplinary research team, institutional cancer research infrastructure, and a clear pathway to a clinical endpoint.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start planning 6-9 months before the deadline. Assemble your multidisciplinary team early and ensure institutional commitment.
- Emphasize preliminary human data and the direct path from your basic research to a clinical trial endpoint.
- Detail how your program will train the next generation of cancer researchers through mentorship and career development.
- Clearly show how each research project (typically 3-4 core projects) integrates and builds toward the clinical endpoint.
- Address sustainability beyond the grant period and how your SPORE will become self-supporting or fundable through other mechanisms.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing purely basic research without a clear translational and clinical endpoint. Teams lack multidisciplinary expertise or integration between projects. Failing to demonstrate institutional cancer research infrastructure and long-term commitment to the program.
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