Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 047
The NIH, through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), is offering a grant opportunity (PAR-24-047) that supports revision applications to existing NIH-funded research grants, with the goal of moving promising, NCI-supported biomarker assays closer to real clinical use. The central purpose is to speed up translation of methods, assays, and related technologies that have already been developed under NIH support so they can be adapted and clinically validated for cancer-focused applications. The program is aimed at bridging the common gap between a biomarker assay that works well in a research setting and one that is solid enough, standardized enough, and validated enough to be used as an investigational tool in a clinical trial setting later on.
The scientific focus is on adapting and validating assays tied to molecular, cellular, or imaging biomarkers relevant to cancer. These biomarkers can be intended for cancer detection or diagnosis, for prognosis and risk stratification, for monitoring disease over time, or for predicting treatment response. The NOFO also explicitly includes biomarkers related to cancer control and prevention, which broadens the scope beyond treatment-response markers alone. In practical terms, the work supported here is about demonstrating that the assay performs reliably with clinically relevant samples and under conditions that reflect how it would be used in real-world clinical research workflows.
A key feature of the opportunity is support for obtaining and using well-annotated human specimens, especially from NCI-supported clinical trials and other clinical research resources such as observational cohorts or consortia. The point of using these sample sets is to perform clinical validation in a way that is statistically credible and clinically meaningful. That typically means the specimens have strong associated metadata (for example, diagnosis, stage, treatment, outcomes, timepoints, collection procedures) so the assay results can be evaluated against real clinical endpoints and contexts. The emphasis is not simply on generating more exploratory data, but on producing evidence that the assay is ready to be integrated into clinical research as an investigational assay, tool, or device.
The NOFO strongly encourages multidisciplinary teams and expects applicants to bring together the right expertise to do rigorous validation. Assay developers and basic scientists are expected to work closely with clinicians, clinical laboratory professionals, and statisticians. Clinical laboratory scientists are highlighted because moving an assay toward clinical readiness often requires attention to analytical performance, reproducibility, quality control, pre-analytic variables, and operational workflow considerations. Statistical experts are highlighted because validation depends on sound study design, power calculations, predefined performance metrics, and clear interpretation standards that can withstand scrutiny and support downstream clinical use.
This funding opportunity is not meant for early-stage technology development, and it is not meant to fund the conduct of clinical trials. The work sits in the middle ground: taking something that already exists from NIH-supported research and doing the adaptation and validation steps needed so it can later be used within clinical trials. Importantly, the FOA title specifies "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" for the R01 mechanism in this context, reinforcing that the funded activities should be validation-oriented rather than interventional trial execution.
From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, it is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity within the education and health activity category (CFDA 93.394). A wide range of applicants can apply, including state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other categories. The opportunity also calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, US territories or possessions, and non-US entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility is designed to encourage participation from many sectors that contribute to biomarker development and validation, including organizations with access to unique patient populations, specimen resources, or specialized laboratory expertise.
Key logistical details include an original closing date of 2026-10-13 and an award ceiling listed as $150,000. The opportunity was created on 2023-10-10. Overall, the program is best understood as targeted support for strengthening and clinically validating cancer biomarker assays that have already emerged from NIH-funded research, so they can credibly progress into clinical research pipelines and, ultimately, into settings where they can influence patient care decisions.Apply for PAR 24 047
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revision Applications for Validation of Biomarker Assays Developed Through NIH-Supported Research Grants (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-10-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-13. (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 $150,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: NIH/NCI Grant Opportunity PAR-24-047 (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
What is PAR-24-047?
PAR-24-047 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity offered through the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It supports revision applications to existing NIH-funded research grants to help move promising, NCI-supported biomarker assays closer to real clinical use by adapting and clinically validating them for cancer-focused applications.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The main goal is to speed up translation of methods, assays, and related technologies that were already developed with NIH support so they can be adapted, standardized, and clinically validated for use as investigational tools in clinical research settings (for example, later use in clinical trials).
What problem is this program trying to solve?
This program is designed to bridge the common gap between a biomarker assay that performs well in a research environment and one that is robust, reproducible, standardized, and validated enough to be used credibly in clinical research workflows, including as an investigational assay in a clinical trial setting later on.
What types of projects does this opportunity support?
It supports projects focused on adapting and validating biomarker assays tied to molecular, cellular, or imaging biomarkers relevant to cancer. The work is meant to demonstrate reliable performance with clinically relevant samples under conditions that reflect real-world clinical research workflows.
What kinds of biomarkers are within scope?
Biomarkers relevant to cancer are within scope, including those intended for:
- Cancer detection or diagnosis
- Prognosis and risk stratification
- Monitoring disease over time
- Predicting treatment response
- Cancer control and prevention (explicitly included)
Does the NOFO focus only on treatment-response biomarkers?
No. While predicting treatment response is included, the scope is broader and explicitly includes biomarkers for detection/diagnosis, prognosis/risk stratification, monitoring, and cancer control and prevention.
What does “adapting and validating” a biomarker assay mean in this context?
In this context, it means taking an assay that already exists from NIH-supported research and performing the steps needed to make it clinically ready as an investigational tool. This includes showing the assay performs reliably with clinically relevant specimens and under practical workflow conditions, with attention to standardization, reproducibility, and validation against meaningful clinical context.
What is the role of human specimens in this program?
A key feature is support for obtaining and using well-annotated human specimens, especially from NCI-supported clinical trials and other clinical research resources (such as observational cohorts or consortia), to enable statistically credible and clinically meaningful clinical validation.
What does “well-annotated” specimens mean here?
Well-annotated specimens are sample sets with strong associated metadata that make clinical validation meaningful, such as diagnosis, stage, treatment details, outcomes, timepoints, and collection procedures. This metadata helps evaluate assay results against real clinical endpoints and contexts.
Why is metadata (like stage, outcomes, and timepoints) emphasized?
Because the program aims for clinically meaningful validation rather than exploratory findings. Rich metadata allows the assay’s performance to be evaluated against real clinical endpoints and under the clinical conditions in which the assay would be used.
Is this funding meant for exploratory biomarker discovery?
No. The emphasis is not on generating more exploratory data. The focus is on producing evidence that an existing NIH-supported assay is ready to be integrated into clinical research as an investigational assay, tool, or device.
Is early-stage technology development supported?
No. The opportunity is not meant for early-stage technology development. It is intended for the middle stage of translation: adapting and validating something already developed under NIH support.
Are clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. The FOA title specifies “Clinical Trial Not Allowed” for the R01 mechanism in this context. Funded activities should be validation-oriented rather than the conduct of interventional clinical trials.
If clinical trials are not allowed, what type of work is expected?
The expected work is clinical validation and readiness activities: demonstrating assay reliability, reproducibility, standardization, and performance using clinically relevant specimens and workflows so the assay can later be used in clinical trials or other clinical research pipelines as an investigational tool.
Why does the program encourage multidisciplinary teams?
Because rigorous validation requires multiple types of expertise. The NOFO encourages teams that bring together assay developers and basic scientists with clinicians, clinical laboratory professionals, and statisticians to ensure the assay is validated in a way that is scientifically rigorous and clinically meaningful.
What roles are highlighted as especially important?
Clinical laboratory scientists and statisticians are highlighted. Clinical laboratory professionals are important for analytical performance, reproducibility, quality control, pre-analytic variables, and workflow considerations. Statistical experts are important for sound study design, power calculations, predefined performance metrics, and interpretation standards that can withstand scrutiny.
What types of assays/technologies are relevant?
The NOFO focuses on methods, assays, and related technologies tied to molecular, cellular, or imaging biomarkers relevant to cancer, where the key need is adaptation and clinical validation to support later use in clinical research settings.
What is the application type supported by this opportunity?
This opportunity supports revision applications to existing NIH-funded research grants, specifically to advance promising NCI-supported biomarker assays toward clinical readiness.
Who is eligible to apply?
A broad range of organizations are eligible, including:
- State, county, and local governments
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- Special district governments
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Tribal organizations (not federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses
- Other categories noted in the opportunity
Are specific institution types explicitly encouraged or called out?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, US territories or possessions, and non-US entities (foreign organizations).
Are non-US organizations eligible?
Yes. Non-US entities (foreign organizations) are included among the eligible applicant types as described in the opportunity information provided.
What is the NIH activity category and CFDA number listed?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary NIH grant opportunity within the education and health activity category, with CFDA 93.394.
What is the award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling for this opportunity is $150,000.
What is the original closing date?
The original closing date listed is 2026-10-13.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2023-10-10.
How does this program fit into the biomarker pipeline?
It targets the translation stage between research success and clinical research readiness. The intent is to strengthen and clinically validate cancer biomarker assays that already emerged from NIH-funded work so they can credibly progress into clinical research pipelines and ultimately toward use in settings that can influence patient care decisions.
What is the expected outcome of a successful project?
Based on the description provided, a successful project would produce rigorous, clinically meaningful validation evidence showing that a previously NIH-supported biomarker assay is robust and standardized enough to be used as an investigational assay, tool, or device in clinical research workflows later on.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: FY 24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado (CO) Environmental Quality Protection Program
Previous opportunity: Broadening Opportunities for Computational Genomics and Data Science Education (UE5 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 24 047
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 24 047) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Interventions on Health and Healthcare Disparities on Non-Communicable and Chronic Diseases in Latin America: Improving Health Outcomes Across the Hemisphere (R01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 23 304 Funding Number: PAR 23 304 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Unveiling Health and Healthcare Disparities in Non-Communicable and Chronic Diseases in Latin America: Setting the Stage for Better Health Outcomes Across the Hemisphere (R01 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 303 Funding Number: PAR 23 303 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Translational Research Toward Development of a Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV) Vaccine (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 24 006 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Applying Imaging Pipelines for Spatial Characterization of Cellular Interactions in HIV-related CNS Pathology and/or Substance Use (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 24 030 Funding Number: RFA DA 24 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Targeting Inflammasomes in HIV and Substance Use (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 25 012 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Targeting Inflammasomes in HIV and Substance Use (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 25 013 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Tools for decentralized clinical trials for substance use disorder (R43/R44 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA DA 25 052 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 052 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $295,924 |
| Tools for Decentralized Clinical Trials for Substance Use Disorder (R41/R42 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA DA 25 051 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,972,828 |
| Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AT 24 006 Funding Number: RFA AT 24 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Effect of HIV and Substance Use Comorbidity on the Placenta and Maternal Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 25 021 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short Courses in Social Determinants of Health for Research Education in Nursing Research (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NR 24 002 Funding Number: RFA NR 24 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Advancing Technologies to Improve Delivery of Pharmacological, Gene Editing, and other Cargoes for HIV and SUD Mechanistic or Therapeutic Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 25 022 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 039 Funding Number: PAR 24 039 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Psychedelics Treatment Research in Substance Use Disorder (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA DA 25 058 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Assay Validation of High Quality Markers for Clinical Studies in Cancer (UH3 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 314 Funding Number: PAR 23 314 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Assay Validation of High Quality Markers for Clinical Studies in Cancer (UH2/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 313 Funding Number: PAR 23 313 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Single Source: AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR; UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 23 043 Funding Number: RFA CA 23 043 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HG 23 032 Funding Number: RFA HG 23 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Multi-sectoral preventive interventions that address social determinants of health in populations that experience health disparities (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 053 Funding Number: PAR 24 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HG 23 033 Funding Number: RFA HG 23 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 24 047", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.