Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you study bariatric surgery biology and suspect a link to cancer mechanisms, this R21 lets you test feasibility without heavy preliminary data—but you must avoid clinical trials.
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What this is
NCI seeks investigators to explore the biological mechanisms linking bariatric surgery to changes in cancer risk, shifting focus from weight loss and metabolic outcomes to cancer-specific pathways. This R21 mechanism supports early-stage, feasibility-focused research—ideal for researchers with novel hypotheses but limited preliminary data. Clinical trials are explicitly excluded. Applicants may reference published preprints with DOIs, but unpublished preliminary findings should be directed to the companion R01 mechanism instead.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofit research organizations, small businesses, state/local governments, and tribal organizations. Individual researchers typically apply through an institutional sponsor. No geographic restrictions; U.S. federal funding mechanism.
Eligible applicant types
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Independent school districts
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- City or township governments
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- State governments
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- County governments
- Special district governments
- Small businesses
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Full description — from the agency
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for support of investigator-initiated studies addressing mechanisms by which bariatric surgery impacts cancer risk, and seeks to draw in talented scientists who study bariatric surgery to investigate its effects on cancer, rather than shorter term outcomes such as weight loss and diabetes. The goal of this NOFO is to support proof of concept studies for feasibility and exploratory development. Feasibility must not have already been developed in the literature or with preliminary data. While unpublished data are not permitted, references and data from widely available preprints that have a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) are acceptable. Investigators who have generated unpublished preliminary data should submit a proposal to companion R01.
Topics: bariatric surgery · cancer risk · mechanism research · R21 grant · exploratory research · NCI funding · proof of concept
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.