Research Opportunities in Established Cancer Epidemiology Cohort Studies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 275

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Research Opportunities in Established Cancer Epidemiology Cohort Studies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)."

2) What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?

The funding opportunity number is PAR-25-275.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

4) What type of award mechanism is being used?

The mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U01). This generally indicates substantial involvement by NIH/NCI program staff in coordinating, guiding, or collaborating on certain aspects of the funded work, consistent with how U-series cooperative agreements operate.

5) Is this a clinical trial funding opportunity?

No. The opportunity explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning proposed work should be non-trial in nature (for example, observational or other non-interventional epidemiologic research) and should not involve assigning participants to interventions.

6) What is the main scientific focus of this program?

The focus is to support cancer epidemiology research that leverages existing, well-established cohort studies, particularly cohorts that have already met their original recruitment targets and are generating long-term data.

7) Does this program fund starting a new cohort study?

No. The program is not intended to fund the launch of a new cohort or support the primary recruitment phase of a new cohort. It is designed to capitalize on the scientific value of cohorts that are already established.

8) What does "established cohort" mean in this context?

Based on the description provided, an established cohort is a well-established cohort study that has already met its original recruitment targets and is positioned to support long-term follow-up and analysis.

9) What kind of research approach is expected?

Projects must be hypothesis-driven. Applicants are expected to propose clearly defined research questions and analytic plans that use data from an established cohort study.

10) What parts of the cancer control continuum are relevant?

The intent is to produce rigorous epidemiologic evidence across the cancer control continuum, including prevention, risk assessment, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and outcomes. The description also notes interest in factors that influence cancer burden and disparities.

11) Beyond analysis, what practical project elements are expected?

In addition to the research questions and analyses, projects are expected to include practical elements needed to keep cohort resources scientifically productive over time. Examples mentioned include cohort maintenance and continued follow-up of participants (such as sustaining contact and updating outcomes and exposures), and preserving high-quality data and biospecimens where applicable.

12) Is resource sharing part of the expectation?

Yes. A key expectation is resource sharing. Applicants are expected not only to analyze existing cohort data, but also to support sharing of the cohort's existing resources so the broader scientific community can benefit.

13) What kinds of cohort resources may be shared under this program?

The description lists examples such as curated datasets, documentation, harmonized variables, biospecimen resources, and other infrastructure that helps others use and benefit from the cohort.

14) What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?

The associated assistance listing (CFDA) number is 93.393.

15) How is this opportunity categorized in terms of funding type and activity area?

It is described as discretionary funding using a cooperative agreement funding instrument. The activity category is listed under education and health.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and governmental entities. Examples listed include state, county, city or 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; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.

17) Are housing authorities eligible?

Yes. The description includes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities as eligible applicants.

18) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.

19) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.

20) Are tribal and tribally affiliated entities specifically included?

Yes. The eligibility description includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments, and it further highlights Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized entities.

21) Are minority-serving institutions and organizations serving underrepresented populations eligible?

Yes. The FOA highlights eligibility for several groups, including 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); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

22) Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are specifically highlighted as eligible in the description.

23) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are highlighted among the eligible applicant groups.

24) Are federal agencies eligible?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are highlighted among eligible applicant groups.

25) Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?

Yes. The description explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) as eligible.

26) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on November 19, 2024.

27) What is the original closing date listed?

The original closing date listed in the provided summary is February 28, 2025.

28) Is the award ceiling or the number of expected awards provided in the summary?

No. The posted summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

29) Where would an applicant typically find budget guidance and project period expectations?

Since the posted summary does not include an award ceiling, number of awards, or detailed budget guidance, applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget guidance, expected project period, and any limits or preferences related to scope and costs.

30) What is the overall purpose of supporting cohort maintenance and follow-up under this program?

The description emphasizes that cohort studies remain valuable only if they can sustain contact with participants, update outcomes and exposures, and preserve high-quality data and biospecimens (where applicable). The program supports work that keeps these established cohort resources productive over time while answering hypothesis-driven questions.