Research to Understand and Address the Survivorship Needs of Individuals Living with Advanced Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 22 027

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 22 027

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released this discretionary grant opportunity, RFA-CA-22-027, titled "Research to Understand and Address the Survivorship Needs of Individuals Living with Advanced Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)." It uses the R01 grant mechanism and supports projects in the broad areas of education and health (CFDA 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, 93.398). The core focus is on people living with advanced cancers that are likely incurable, recognizing that many patients are surviving longer with serious disease and have distinct, often under-studied survivorship needs. The FOA seeks to strengthen the evidence base on what these needs are, how widespread they are, and what approaches can effectively improve quality of life and other patient-centered outcomes.

The purpose of the announcement is twofold: first, to fund observational research that clarifies the scope, prevalence, and nature of survivorship challenges among individuals living with advanced cancer; and second, to fund intervention research that develops and tests strategies to address those challenges. In practice, this means the NIH is looking for studies that can describe and measure survivorship needs (for example, physical symptoms, psychological distress, social and family impacts, financial toxicity, functional limitations, care coordination needs, or communication and decision-support gaps) as well as studies that create or evaluate programs, services, or clinical approaches intended to improve outcomes for these survivors. Because the FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants may propose either non-trial research (such as cohort studies, longitudinal assessments, mixed-methods studies, or other observational designs) or clinical trials (such as testing a supportive care intervention, service delivery model, symptom management approach, or psychosocial program), as long as the work is clearly tied to survivorship in advanced cancer and is appropriately designed for the question being asked.

Funding under this opportunity has an award ceiling listed at $500,000, indicating an upper bound on the amount that can be requested or awarded under the terms of this specific announcement. The original closing date shown is 2023-09-29, and prospective applicants would typically need to confirm whether the announcement is still active, has been reissued, or has moved to a new due date or related FOA if applying later. The overall intent is to stimulate research that translates into practical improvements in care and support for people living with advanced cancer, rather than focusing solely on cure-oriented endpoints.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types across government, education, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other categories specified in the notice. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. These inclusions signal an interest in reaching diverse communities and encouraging proposals that can address survivorship needs across different populations and settings.

At the same time, the FOA draws clear boundaries around foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are stated as not eligible to apply as applicant organizations. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as part of the applicant organization. However, "foreign components," as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may incorporate certain allowable international elements or collaborations if they meet NIH definitions and requirements, even though a foreign institution cannot serve as the primary applicant.

In summary, this NIH R01 opportunity is aimed at building a clearer, more actionable understanding of survivorship for individuals living with advanced, likely incurable cancers and supporting research that can directly improve their outcomes. It encourages both observational studies that map unmet needs and interventional studies that test solutions, welcomes a wide variety of U.S.-based applicants across academic, community, government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, and permits limited foreign components while restricting foreign entities from serving as applicants.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research to Understand and Address the Survivorship Needs of Individuals Living with Advanced Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-05-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-29. (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 $500,000.00 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 RFA CA 22 027

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