Research Projects to Enhance Applicability of Mammalian Models for Translational Research (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you run a contract research organization, biotech, or academic lab with expertise in animal models and translational oncology, this funding rewards you for proving your models work better in the clinic.
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What this is
The NCI seeks applications to enhance the translational applicability of mammalian cancer and tumor models used in research. Rather than funding basic hypothesis-testing studies with animal models, this opportunity targets demonstrations that existing models reliably predict human outcomes, overcome known translational deficiencies, define new clinical uses for established models, or advance best practices in model validation and credentialing. Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofits, small businesses, and government entities. Awards range from unspecified to $499,000 over the funding period.
Who can apply
Extremely broad: universities (public and private), nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, small businesses, for-profit companies, tribal governments, and state/local governments are all eligible. No geographic restriction. Individuals cannot apply directly; organizations must be the applicant.
Eligible applicant types
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- City or township governments
- State governments
- Small businesses
- County governments
- Special district governments
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Full description — from the agency
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for projects to expand, improve, or transform the utility of mammalian cancer and tumor models for translational research. With this NOFO, the NCI intends to encourage submission of projects devoted to demonstrating that mammalian models or their derivatives used for translational research are robust representations of human biology, are appropriate to test questions of clinical importance, and provide reliable information for patients' benefit. These practical goals contrast with the goals of many mechanistic, NCI-supported R01 projects that employ mammals, or develop and use mammalian cancer models, transplantation tumor models, or models derived from mammalian or human tissues or cells for hypothesis-testing, non-clinical research. Among many other possible endeavors, applicants in response to this FOA could propose demonstrations of how to overcome translational deficiencies of mammalian oncology models, define new uses of mammalian models or their genetics for unexplored translational challenges, advance standard practices for use of translational models, test approaches to validate and credential models, or challenge current practices for how models are used translationally
Topics: mammalian cancer models · translational research · tumor model validation · oncology drug development · model credentialing
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.