Research Opportunities in Cancer Epidemiology Cohort Studies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 27 073

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 27 073

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting applications under the funding opportunity titled "Research Opportunities in Cancer Epidemiology Cohort Studies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-27-073). This program supports cancer epidemiology cohort studies designed to fill important knowledge gaps in cancer causes (etiology) and cancer survivorship. The emphasis is on well-justified, hypothesis-driven research questions that can be answered using cohort designs, along with the practical work needed to keep cohorts scientifically productive over time, such as maintaining infrastructure, sustaining participant follow-up, and ensuring high-quality data and biospecimen resources.

A central expectation is that applicants will propose rigorous, hypothesis-based investigations that leverage cohort resources to address specific unanswered questions about cancer risk, progression, outcomes, and survivorship. Alongside the science, applications are expected to include plans and budgets that support the underlying cohort operations when appropriate. That can include cohort infrastructure and maintenance activities, continued follow-up of participants, and responsible stewardship of cohort assets. The NOFO also highlights the importance of sharing data and biospecimen resources as appropriate, signaling that NCI values studies that can contribute beyond a single project by enabling broader scientific use, reproducibility, and secondary analyses consistent with participant consent and governance frameworks.

The award mechanism is a U01 cooperative agreement, which generally implies substantial federal programmatic involvement compared with standard grants, often through coordination, collaboration expectations, and potential involvement in cross-study harmonization or common standards. The NOFO explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the proposed work cannot be designed as a clinical trial. In practical terms, applications should focus on observational cohort research and related epidemiologic analyses rather than interventional studies that assign participants to interventions to evaluate health outcomes.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. applicants. Eligible applicant organizations include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses, among others. Importantly for international participation, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also eligible. However, "foreign components," as defined by NIH policy, are not allowed, which typically means applicants need to structure collaborations carefully so they comply with NIH definitions and restrictions. The NOFO directs applicants to consult Section III (Eligibility Information) for the precise rules and any nuances that affect specific organizational arrangements.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the health category (CFDA 93.393). The opportunity was created on 2026-05-04, and the listed original closing date runs through 2029-07-05, suggesting a multi-year window during which applications may be accepted on specified receipt dates per NIH practice. The source information provided does not list an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants would typically look to the full NOFO for budget guidance, anticipated funding levels, project period expectations, and review considerations.

Overall, the opportunity is aimed at strengthening and advancing cohort-based cancer epidemiology by funding both the science (clear, testable hypotheses addressing high-priority gaps in cancer etiology and survivorship) and the enabling infrastructure (cohort maintenance, follow-up, and data/biospecimen sharing practices) that make these long-term studies valuable to the broader cancer research community.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Opportunities in Cancer Epidemiology Cohort Studies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-07-05.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 27 073

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