The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has announced a new funding opportunity titled "Scaling-up and Maintaining Evidence-based Interventions to Maximize Impact on Cancer (SUMMIT) - Tobacco Use Treatment for Cancer Survivors." This initiative, structured as a UG3/UH3 phased cooperative agreement, invites research projects that aim to develop and test strategies for the scale-up and sustained implementation of tobacco use treatment (TUT) services for cancer survivors. The focus is on ensuring equitable access and addressing populations experiencing health disparities. The proposed research will involve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess these strategies across at least 60 diverse clinical sites, including primary care, specialty clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
The funding is part of the broader SUMMIT initiative, which also includes trials for scaling-up lung cancer screening services. Research teams are required to focus on effective, long-term delivery of TUT services for cancer survivors, with measurements of success continuing at least 12 months after initial implementation. The program emphasizes equitable treatment across diverse populations, with a particular focus on reducing health inequities. Applicants are required to include a "Plan for Enhancing Diverse Perspectives" (PEDP), promoting inclusivity in their research teams and study designs.
This opportunity supports two phases. The UG3 phase (maximum two years) focuses on preparatory activities, such as refining implementation strategies, securing site commitments, and finalizing trial designs. Successful completion of these activities, measured against proposed milestones, is required to transition to the UH3 phase (maximum four years), during which the full-scale implementation and sustainment trial will be conducted. A total of $2.4 million will fund up to three projects, with budgets capped at $500,000 annually for the UG3 phase and $850,000 annually for the UH3 phase.
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, government entities, and for-profit organizations, but only one application per institution is permitted. The research must involve clinical trials, and projects must incorporate a variety of sites and populations to ensure broad applicability of findings. Projects that do not meet specific criteria, such as using an RCT design or including at least 60 sites, will be deemed non-responsive.
Applications are due by December 6, 2024, with letters of intent encouraged 30 days prior to this deadline. The earliest anticipated start date for funded projects is July 2025. Applicants are strongly advised to submit early to allow time for corrections, as no late applications will be accepted.
