Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate the Genetic Architecture of Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) | PAR 20 277

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 277

The NIH funding opportunity PAR-20-277, titled "Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate the Genetic Architecture of Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)," supports exploratory research that mines, reanalyzes, and combines already-existing datasets to answer important questions about how inherited genetics and broader genomic factors influence cancer risk and cancer-related outcomes. The FOA is led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in partnership with the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Rather than funding new data collection or clinical trials, it is designed to help researchers get more scientific value out of the large volume of genetic, genomic, and related data that has already been generated, including datasets housed in established databases and research repositories.

The central scientific aim is to better define the "genetic architecture" of cancer, meaning the set of genetic variants, genomic patterns, and biological mechanisms that contribute to who develops cancer, how cancers behave, and how patients fare over time. The FOA explicitly highlights outcomes beyond initial disease risk, including areas like risk prediction and risk reduction, survival and prognosis, and response to treatment. The expectation is that applicants will use existing genetic or genomic datasets and apply innovative analytic strategies, or integrate multiple data sources in ways that reveal relationships that cannot be seen in a single dataset alone.

A key emphasis is integrative, multi-dimensional analysis. Projects are encouraged to combine genetic or genomic data with other categories of information that may shape cancer development and outcomes, such as other omics layers (for example, transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, metabolomic, or microbiome data, when available), as well as environmental exposures, clinical variables, behavioral factors, lifestyle measures, and molecular profiling data. In practical terms, this means the program is well suited for studies that connect germline variation with tumor features, link inherited risk to exposure histories, examine gene-environment interactions, or build and validate risk models using diverse covariates drawn from different sources. The FOA also welcomes proposals that focus on new research questions that can be answered using existing data, the development or application of new or advanced analytical methods, and novel strategies for dataset combination and harmonization that open the door to studying previously inaccessible questions in cancer genomics and epidemiology.

The mechanism is an R21, which is typically used for early-stage, exploratory, or high-impact pilot work, and the FOA specifies that clinical trials are not allowed. The posted award ceiling is $200,000, indicating the intent to fund focused projects that can demonstrate proof of concept, generate preliminary findings, or establish feasibility for larger-scale follow-on studies. The opportunity sits within NIH health and education-related funding activity areas, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.172, 93.393, and 93.396.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special district governments), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, and a wide range of nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)). It also allows for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Tribal eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), underscoring an interest in broad participation and, potentially, research that includes diverse populations and settings when supported by available datasets.

Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary NIH grant program created on 2020-07-22, with an original closing date listed as 2023-01-07 in the provided record. Overall, the FOA is best understood as a push to accelerate discovery in cancer genetics and cancer epidemiology by encouraging researchers to creatively reuse and integrate existing genetic/genomic resources, apply modern analytical approaches, and generate insights that improve understanding of cancer risk and outcomes without launching new interventional studies.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate the Genetic Architecture of Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.172, 93.393, 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-07-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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 20 277

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