Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network (GTN; U19 Clinical Trial Required)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released a forecasted Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network (GTN; U19 Clinical Trial Required). This program, issued under opportunity number RFA-CA-25-033, is designed to establish a highly collaborative network of research teams focused on advancing therapeutic development for adult glioblastoma (GBM). The NCI, as the nation’s primary cancer research agency, supports projects that aim to improve cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. This initiative falls under Assistance Listings 93.394 and 93.395, which correspond to Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research and Cancer Treatment Research, respectively. The purpose of this opportunity is to fund multidisciplinary teams capable of translating promising therapeutic strategies into clinical settings. The goal is to accelerate the development of novel agents that can effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier and provide meaningful improvements in treating GBM. The scope of work covers late pre-clinical research through early clinical trials, specifically Phase 0 and Phase 1 studies. Both newly developed agents and existing agents repurposed for GBM treatment will be considered, provided pre-clinical studies justify their potential. The design of the program ensures that successful early-stage trials can transition seamlessly into later-stage trials supported by existing NCI mechanisms. Funding will be provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, which emphasizes active collaboration between the grantee institutions and the NCI. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions, making it accessible to a wide range of eligible applicants. While the total program funding and award limits have not yet been published, applicants should anticipate competitive funding levels commensurate with the complexity of the proposed research and clinical studies. The number of anticipated awards has also not been specified at this stage. Eligibility for this program is broad and includes state, county, city, and township governments; Native American tribal governments and organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations including small businesses; public housing authorities; independent school districts; and special district governments. Additional eligible applicants include federal agencies, U.S. territories and possessions, faith-based or community-based organizations, and regional organizations. This extensive eligibility ensures that diverse institutions and organizations can contribute to advancing GBM therapeutics. The timeline for this forecasted opportunity indicates that the estimated posting date will be November 28, 2025, with applications due by May 27, 2026. Awards are expected to be made on March 5, 2027, with funded projects beginning on the same date. Because this is a forecast, details such as pre-application requirements, registration needs, and evaluation processes are not yet specified. Applicants should prepare for a rigorous review process consistent with NIH standards, which typically assess scientific merit, feasibility, investigator expertise, and potential public health impact. For inquiries about this opportunity, interested applicants may contact Suzanne Forry, Ph.D., at the National Cancer Institute. She can be reached by phone at 240-276-5922. At this time, no email contact is provided in the forecast. Updated details will be available when the official funding announcement is posted, and applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov and NCI communications for future updates.