RFA-CA-25-002
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Estimated total funding: $4.3 million
Maximum award amount: $300,000 per year
Maximum project duration: 3 years
To support exploratory research projects focused on the development and validation of emerging technologies for cancer research.
To enhance research in cancer biology, early detection, clinical diagnosis, treatment, and health disparities.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Research community
Cancer patients and survivors
Eligible organization types include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local and state governments, and tribal governments.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are also eligible to apply.
Open to U.S. and non-domestic organizations.
Projects must focus on the advanced development and validation of emerging molecular or cellular analysis technologies.
Applications must demonstrate preliminary data and a rigorous validation strategy.
Application budgets are limited to $300,000 per year in direct costs.
Application due date: October 3, 2025.
Earliest start date for funded projects: April 4, 2025.
Applications based on prior IMAT awards must describe the extent to which previous aims have been achieved.
Applications must include a detailed research strategy, performance measures, and a data management and sharing plan.
Applications will be evaluated based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and investigator expertise.
Applications will undergo peer review by a Scientific Review Group.
Scientific and technical merit, availability of funds, and relevance to program priorities will be considered.
Projects must not propose clinical trials or traditional hypothesis-driven research.
Applications lacking appropriate performance measures will not be reviewed.
Projects addressing cancer health disparities are encouraged.
Innovative technologies with substantial improvements over existing methods are prioritized.
Demonstrating significant preliminary data and a clear validation strategy.
Submitting applications that do not comply with the application instructions.
Engage with the research community to identify unmet needs and potential impacts.
Focus on novel technologies that address significant gaps in cancer research.