Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 107

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 107

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is inviting applications for an R01 grant opportunity called "Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-107). The program is centered on the idea that microorganisms and their products can be harnessed as tools for cancer detection, imaging, and treatment, and that a deeper understanding of how microbes interact with tumors and the immune system could unlock new therapeutic strategies. The focus is not on running clinical trials, but on building the foundational and preclinical evidence needed to support future translational work.

Scientifically, the NOFO encourages projects that use bacteria, archaebacteria, bacteriophages, and other non-oncolytic viruses, along with their natural products, as research platforms or candidate interventions. Proposed studies can investigate microbes as direct anti-tumor agents, as stimulators or modulators of anti-tumor immunity, or as delivery vehicles that carry therapeutic payloads, imaging agents, or diagnostic components into tumors. A key emphasis is understanding mechanisms: applicants are expected to explore the complex biological interactions among microorganisms, tumor cells and tissues, and the host immune system, rather than only demonstrating a phenotypic anti-tumor effect. The program also welcomes approaches that complement existing cancer tools, including combinations or synergies with established treatments or imaging modalities, as long as the work remains within basic mechanistic and preclinical boundaries.

From a scope and model-systems standpoint, NCI states that supported work should be conducted in cell culture and animal models, reflecting the preclinical intent of the opportunity. Applicants are explicitly encouraged to address both sides of the interaction, meaning the microbial attributes (such as colonization, persistence, tropism, virulence attenuation, immune recognition, and product biosynthesis) and the tumor context (such as tumor microenvironment, immune infiltration, hypoxia, metabolic conditions, and barriers to delivery). The opportunity also calls out relevance to microbial-based cancer therapy broadly, including therapies for oral cancer, and extends interest to tumor imaging, tumor detection, and diagnostic development where microbial platforms or microbial products provide a unique advantage.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant program using the NIH R01 mechanism. It falls under the activity areas of education and health and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.395, and 93.396. The original closing date listed is May 7, 2025, and the opportunity was created on November 21, 2024. While an award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, applicants should generally expect standard NIH R01 budgeting and review expectations, with project scope and justification aligned to preclinical research aims rather than clinical execution.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types across the public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations. Overall, the opportunity is designed for investigators who can bring microbiology, immunology, oncology, engineering, and imaging or diagnostics expertise together to generate rigorous mechanistic and preclinical evidence for "bugs as drugs" approaches in cancer.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (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): 93.121, 93.395, 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 25 107

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