OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesRFA-CA-27-002

Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Nov 10, 2026(28 days left)Up to $300,000

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH/NCI R33 grant for further developing and technically validating emerging technologies for molecular or cellular characterization of cancer or improved biospecimen handling. It is for teams that already have preliminary data showing feasibility and need to mature the technology, not for people applying existing tools to new research questions. Retail, construction, and finance businesses with no cancer-technology development work should not bother applying.

Best for
Small businesses and for-profits developing emerging cancer research technologies, Universities and higher education institutions doing technical validation of molecular or cellular characterization of, Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status working on cancer research tools, State, local, and tribal governments involved in health or science research
Not for
Businesses using existing technologies for hypothesis-driven research rather than developing new ones, Organizations planning clinical trials, which are not allowed under this program, Retail, construction, or finance businesses with no cancer research technology focus
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (clinical)
85
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (technology, tech)
85
Strong Match
Social Services & NonprofitMatches your industry (community)
69
Good Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Nothing in this notice points to retail & e-commerce
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
52
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
R&D, Research, Technical assistance
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)
Award range
Up to $300,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 2026-11-10.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The largest award is $300,000. The total program funding is $5,900,000, with about 13 awards expected.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations, public housing authorities, and independent school districts. Foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations may also apply.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not specifically address sole proprietors or single-member LLCs. Small businesses and for-profit organizations are listed as eligible, but the NOFO's Section III eligibility information should be consulted for details.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are both listed as eligible applicants.

Summary

NIH/NCI R33 grants to further develop and technically validate emerging technologies for molecular/cellular characterization of cancer or improved biospecimen handling and quality control. Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofits, universities, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments; foreign entities may apply. Clinical trials not allowed.

About this grant

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites grant applications proposing exploratory research projects focused on further development and technical validation of emerging technologies offering novel capabilities for the molecular or cellular characterization of cancer or for improved handling and quality control of biospecimens used for basic, clinical, or epidemiological cancer research. This NOFO solicits R33 applications where major feasibility gaps for the technology or methodology have been overcome, as demonstrated with supportive preliminary data, but still require further development and rigorous technical validation to encourage adoption by the research community. Well-suited applications must propose the development of technologies that offer the potential to accelerate and/or enhance research in the areas of cancer biology, early detection and screening, clinical diagnosis, treatment, cancer control, epidemiology. Technologies proposed for development may have potential for widespread applicability but must be focused in this proposal on cancer-relevant use cases. 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 to this solicitation and will not be reviewed.This funding opportunity is part of a broader NCI-sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program.

Who can apply

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Technology

Program contact

National Institutes of HealthNCI-IMAT@nih.gov301-402-2541

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