Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 16 416
The NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity designed to support small-scale cancer research projects that can be completed relatively quickly and with limited resources. Using the NIH R03 small grant mechanism, the program is meant for focused, well-defined studies that generate preliminary findings, test feasibility, or produce early-stage results that can position investigators for larger research efforts later. The scope is intentionally broad within cancer research, emphasizing projects that are compact and achievable rather than large, multi-year programs.
This opportunity specifically encourages several common project types that fit the R03 format. Examples include pilot and feasibility studies that explore whether an approach is workable before investing in a larger trial or expanded research program, and secondary analyses of existing datasets where researchers can address important cancer-related questions without collecting entirely new data. It also supports small, self-contained research projects that can be completed as a discrete unit of work, as well as efforts focused on developing research methods (such as new analytical approaches, measurement strategies, or study designs) and developing new research technologies that could improve how cancer research is conducted. Overall, the emphasis is on producing meaningful, publishable, or decision-enabling results within a constrained budget and timeframe.
The administering agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the funding instrument is a grant under a discretionary funding opportunity. The activity category is listed as Education and Health, and it aligns with multiple CFDA program numbers, including 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, and 93.399, reflecting the way NIH and NCI track and categorize related research activities across cancer institutes and programs. The funding opportunity number for this announcement is PAR-16-416, and the opportunity was created on August 26, 2016. The original closing date listed for the opportunity is January 24, 2018.
In terms of available funding, the award ceiling shown for this opportunity is $50,000. That ceiling underscores the “small grant” intent of the R03 mechanism: it is not meant to fund large personnel-heavy studies, extensive clinical trials, or major infrastructure, but rather targeted research that can be executed efficiently. The listing provided does not specify an expected number of awards, suggesting that applicants should not assume a fixed award count from the summary information alone and should refer to the full FOA details for any cycle-specific guidance.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organizations across government, education, nonprofit, and private sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Institutions of higher education are eligible, including public and state-controlled universities as well as private institutions of higher education. Tribal eligibility includes Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized, as well as Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized as tribal governments. Nonprofits are eligible whether they have 501(c)(3) status or not (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and for-profit organizations are eligible as well, including small businesses and other for-profit entities that are not classified as small businesses. The opportunity also recognizes “other” applicant types, indicating additional flexibility depending on the applicant’s organizational structure and compliance with NIH requirements.
Beyond the standard eligibility categories, the announcement explicitly highlights additional applicant groups to encourage broad participation and reach. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also notes eligibility for eligible agencies of the federal government and for faith-based or community-based organizations, which can be important for community-engaged cancer research, outreach-linked studies, or feasibility work grounded in real-world settings. Importantly, the FOA also allows non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones (as called out separately), and applicants located in a U.S. territory or possession, which expands the geographic and institutional diversity of potential applicants.
In practical terms, this FOA is best suited for investigators and organizations that have a strong, specific cancer research question but need a smaller, faster award to validate an idea, analyze existing information, refine a method, or build an early technology prototype. It is also a good fit for institutions that want to seed early-stage cancer research activity, including minority-serving institutions, tribal institutions, and community-based organizations that may be building capacity or piloting approaches tailored to their populations. The overall intent is to accelerate progress in cancer research by funding smaller, high-value projects that can deliver actionable results without requiring the scale and resources of larger NIH mechanisms.Apply for PAR 16 416
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 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.
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FAQs: NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03)
What is the NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus R03)?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that supports small-scale cancer research projects using the NIH R03 small grant mechanism. The program is designed for focused, well-defined studies that can be completed relatively quickly and with limited resources.
What is the purpose of the R03 mechanism in this opportunity?
The R03 mechanism is intended to fund compact, achievable projects that generate preliminary findings, test feasibility, or produce early-stage results. These results can help position investigators for larger research efforts later.
What types of cancer research projects does this FOA encourage?
The scope is broad across cancer research, with an emphasis on projects that are small and self-contained rather than large, multi-year programs. The FOA highlights projects that can deliver meaningful, publishable, or decision-enabling results within a constrained budget and timeframe.
Are pilot and feasibility studies a good fit for this program?
Yes. Pilot and feasibility studies are specifically encouraged, particularly when they are used to determine whether an approach is workable before pursuing a larger trial or expanded research program.
Does this opportunity support secondary analyses of existing datasets?
Yes. The FOA encourages secondary analyses of existing datasets to answer important cancer-related questions without requiring entirely new data collection.
Can I propose a small, self-contained research project as a discrete unit of work?
Yes. The program supports small, self-contained projects that can be completed as a discrete unit of work within the R03 format.
Does the FOA support research methods development?
Yes. The opportunity includes efforts focused on developing research methods, such as new analytical approaches, measurement strategies, or study designs.
Does the FOA support development of new research technologies?
Yes. It supports developing new research technologies that could improve how cancer research is conducted, provided the work remains compact and achievable under the small grant intent.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The administering agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the opportunity is associated with the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the funding instrument and funding type?
The funding instrument is a grant, and it is listed as a discretionary funding opportunity.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as Education and Health.
Which CFDA program numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity aligns with multiple CFDA program numbers: 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, and 93.399.
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-16-416.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 26, 2016.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is January 24, 2018.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling shown for this opportunity is $50,000, reflecting the small grant intent of the R03 mechanism.
Is this grant intended to support large clinical trials or major infrastructure?
No. The $50,000 ceiling and the R03 small grant format indicate it is not meant for large, personnel-heavy studies, extensive clinical trials, or major infrastructure. It is intended for targeted research that can be executed efficiently.
How many awards will be made under this opportunity?
The listing does not specify an expected number of awards. Applicants should not assume a fixed award count based on the summary information alone.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes organizations across government, education, nonprofit, and private sectors, as well as additional applicant types recognized by the FOA.
Are state, local, or special district governments eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Institutions of higher education are eligible, including public and state-controlled universities and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized as tribal governments. The FOA also calls out Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized ones as eligible.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, including small businesses and other for-profit entities that are not classified as small businesses.
Does the FOA allow faith-based or community-based organizations to apply?
Yes. The opportunity notes eligibility for faith-based and community-based organizations.
Are U.S. federal government agencies eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA notes that eligible agencies of the federal government may apply.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or listed?
Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. The FOA allows non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) to apply.
Are applicants in U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The opportunity includes applicants located in a U.S. territory or possession.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are listed among eligible applicant types.
What kinds of applicants is this FOA best suited for?
This FOA is best suited for investigators and organizations with a strong, specific cancer research question who need a smaller, faster award to validate an idea, analyze existing information, refine a method, or build an early technology prototype.
How does this opportunity help investigators pursue larger NIH research efforts later?
By funding preliminary findings, feasibility testing, early-stage results, or method/technology development, the program can provide decision-enabling evidence that supports future, larger-scale research efforts.
What is the overall intent of this funding opportunity?
The overall intent is to accelerate progress in cancer research by funding smaller, high-value projects that can deliver actionable results without requiring the scale and resources of larger NIH mechanisms.
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Applicants also applied for:
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|---|
| NLM Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health (G13) Apply for PAR 16 417 Funding Number: PAR 16 417 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
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| "High" or "Medium" Priority AIDS Research on Non-AIDS-defining or AIDS-defining Cancers (R21) Apply for PA 16 425 Funding Number: PA 16 425 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| "High" or "Medium" Priority AIDS Research on Non-AIDS-defining or AIDS-defining Cancers (R01) Apply for PA 16 426 Funding Number: PA 16 426 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Coordinating Center for the HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Cohorts Program (U24) Apply for RFA DA 17 019 Funding Number: RFA DA 17 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01) Apply for PAR 16 431 Funding Number: PAR 16 431 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Strategic Alliances for Medications Development to Treat Substance Use Disorders (R01) Apply for PAR 16 430 Funding Number: PAR 16 430 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Health Promotion Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Males (R21) Apply for PA 16 432 Funding Number: PA 16 432 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Symptom Management in HIV-Infected Individuals with Comorbid Conditions (R01) Apply for PA 16 427 Funding Number: PA 16 427 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Symptom Management in HIV-Infected Individuals with Comorbid Conditions (R21) Apply for PA 16 429 Funding Number: PA 16 429 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Encouraging Appropriate Care Using Behavioral Economics through Electronic Health Records (R21/R33) Apply for RFA AG 17 013 Funding Number: RFA AG 17 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Drug Abuse Dissertation Research (R36) Apply for PA 16 443 Funding Number: PA 16 443 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Improving the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Cascade (R34) Apply for RFA MH 17 361 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 361 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Improving the HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Cascade (R01) Apply for RFA MH 17 360 Funding Number: RFA MH 17 360 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multi-Site Pilot and Feasibility Studies for System-Level Implementation of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services (R34) Apply for PAR 16 456 Funding Number: PAR 16 456 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Multi-Site Studies for System-Level Implementation of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Services (R01) Apply for PAR 16 455 Funding Number: PAR 16 455 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Collaborative Consortia for the Study of HIV Associated Cancers: U.S. and Low-and Middle-Income Country Partnerships (U54) Apply for RFA CA 16 018 Funding Number: RFA CA 16 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| National Cancer Institute Program Project Applications (P01) Apply for PAR 16 457 Funding Number: PAR 16 457 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA) (K01) Apply for PAR 17 002 Funding Number: PAR 17 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for Validation of Biomarker Assays Developed Through NIH-Supported Research Grants (R01) Apply for PAR 17 003 Funding Number: PAR 17 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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