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NIH Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI).
This funding opportunity solicits grant applications proposing to develop innovative technologies offering new capabilities for the molecular or cellular characterization of cancer or for improved handling and quality control of biospecimens for basic, clinical, or epidemiological cancer research.
It supports early-stage projects proposing proof-of-concept/pilot studies to test the technical feasibility of the proposed method, tool, assay, platform, or instrument. Technologies proposed for development may have potential for widespread applicability but must be focused for this program on cancer-relevant use cases.
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Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | Research NJIT Implementation of Recent Executive Orders Institutional Response on the Implementation of Recent Federal Executive Orders with Updates on Federally Funded Research Grants and Contracts Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) National Institutes of Health Application budgets are limited to $150,000 per year (direct costs).
Anticipated Funding Amount: Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: Preliminary Proposal Deadline: Full Proposal Submission Deadline: Full Proposal Submission Deadline July 10, 2026, November 10, 2026 National Cancer Institute (NCI)Email: NCI-IMAT@nih.
gov Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing exploratory research projects focused on the inception and early-stage development of highly innovative technologies with new or improved capabilities for targeting, probing, or assessing molecular and cellular features of cancer biology or for handling or performing quality control of biospecimens for basic or clinical cancer research.
This NOFO is meant to support highly innovative projects with high potential impact in a cancer-relevant field, even if they involve some level of risk of failure. Technologies proposed for development may have the potential for widespread applicability but for this program, projects must focus on improving cancer-relevant technical capabilities. This NOFO utilizes the R61 award mechanism for exploratory/developmental projects.
The R61 mechanism is suitable for projects that are at their inception, conceptual, or idea-based phase. In this phase, the technical feasibility of the proposed technology or methodology should not yet have been established. Preliminary data are not required but are accepted if available.
If preliminary data are sufficient to suggest the feasibility of the approach is established, then consideration should be given to submitting to the companion R33 NOFO (RFA-CA-27-002).
Applications involving further improvements to an existing technology that has not yet been demonstrated for the proposed cancer-relevant application(s) are also within the scope of this NOFO but must involve significant additional technical modifications/development for the proposed cancer-relevant context of use, or some significant question of feasibility exists for achieving the proposed technical performance.
A clear description of the feasibility risk for the proposed advancement of that technology must be included in the application to justify the use of the R61 mechanism. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Scientific/Research Contact below with any questions. This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program .
Since its inception in 1998, the IMAT Program has focused on stimulating and accelerating the development, validation, maturation, and dissemination of the most novel and highly innovative technologies in support of cancer research and medicine.
Together with the NCI's other technology-focused programs, the IMAT program continues to support the development of tools and methods that enable cancer researchers to make new discoveries, enhance our understanding of cancer etiology and proliferation, improve detection capabilities, develop diagnostic methods and treatment strategies, conduct population-scale studies, and assist in clinical decision-making.
The current issuance of the IMAT Program consists of two separate NOFOs that cover the following two stages of development: RFA-CA-27-001 (this NOFO, R61): Early-stage mechanism. Supports feasibility studies (concept through preliminary development) to develop and demonstrate the core functional capabilities of the proposed technology. RFA-CA-27-002 (R33): Advanced stage of development.
Supports improvements, optimization, and technical validation of the technology following completion of the proof-of-concept stage of development. Additional information about the IMAT Program and its individual NOFOs can be found on the IMAT website .
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Investigators proposing to develop innovative technologies for molecular or cellular characterization of cancer or improved biospecimen handling for basic, clinical, or epidemiological cancer research. Projects proposing to apply or use existing technologies for hypothesis-driven research where the novelty resides in the biological or clinical target/question being pursued are not responsive. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Applications for NIH Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) are due November 10, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
NIH Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is funded by National Cancer Institute (NCI). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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