Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Curriculum or Methods Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 23 278

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 278

The Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Curriculum or Methods Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), funding opportunity number PAR-23-278, is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) notice of funding opportunity under the NIH Research Education Program (R25). Its central purpose is to strengthen the nations biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce by supporting research education activities that complement and enhance existing training pathways. Rather than funding traditional research projects, this mechanism is designed to build and improve the educational infrastructure that prepares people to do high-quality cancer-related research and to translate knowledge into better outcomes for patients, survivors, and families.

The specific emphasis in this NOFO is on Curriculum or Methods Development, meaning applicants are expected to create or modernize educational content, teaching strategies, or training approaches that can be broadly useful and impactful. Competitive proposals will generally be innovative and state-of-the-art, with a clear plan for developing educational materials or methods that address important needs in the cancer field. The program is interested in educational activities that relate to the cause of cancer, its diagnosis, prevention, or treatment, as well as cancer rehabilitation and the continuing care of cancer patients and their families. In practical terms, that can include new curricula, course modules, training frameworks, or instructional methods that improve how learners gain cancer-relevant research skills, understand cancer biology and behavior, work with data and technologies, or engage effectively with clinical and community needs (as long as the work remains within the R25 education scope).

This opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which signals that the award is not intended to support the conduct of clinical trials. The focus is on education and training development rather than interventional clinical research. Applicants should structure their aims, activities, and evaluation plans accordingly, emphasizing educational products, dissemination potential, and measurable training or learning outcomes rather than trial endpoints.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of US-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and 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; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized), and US territories or possessions. These categories underscore an interest in reaching diverse institutions and communities and expanding educational capacity across a wide range of settings.

At the same time, there are important restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-US) entities (foreign organizations or foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of US organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In practice, this means a US applicant organization may include certain foreign elements or collaborations if they meet NIH definitions and are well-justified, but the primary applicant and the core organizational component seeking the award must be domestic.

The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Education and Health (CFDA 93.398). The listed award ceiling is $150,000, indicating the maximum award amount expected under the opportunity (with actual budgets typically needing to be well-justified and aligned to the educational scope). The original closing date is January 7, 2027, and the opportunity was created on September 21, 2023. Overall, PAR-23-278 is best understood as a chance for eligible organizations to design and disseminate high-value cancer research education curricula or teaching methods that fill gaps in current training, elevate educational quality, and help develop a workforce prepared to address cancer across prevention through survivorship and continuing care, without conducting clinical trials as part of the award.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Curriculum or Methods Development (R25 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): 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-07.
• 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.

Apply for PAR 23 278

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