Academic-Industrial Partnerships (AIP) to Translate and Validate In Vivo Imaging Systems (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Academic-Industrial Partnerships to Translate and Validate In Vivo Imaging Systems (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) program is administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health. It is designed to accelerate the translation of emerging imaging, spectroscopic, and data-science-driven technologies into practical tools that address significant challenges in cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. This funding mechanism emphasizes partnerships that bridge academic research innovation with industrial engineering, manufacturing, and validation capabilities to overcome the bottlenecks between laboratory discovery and clinical implementation. The opportunity supports projects that have progressed beyond the proof-of-concept phase and are ready for optimization and validation. Proposals must demonstrate the feasibility of an imaging or spectroscopy system with measurable potential for clinical or research application. Example research areas include development of surgical imaging technologies to identify tumor margins, novel contrast agents or activatable probes to detect small cancer colonies, algorithms for image-guided interventions, and computational or machine-learning tools that improve quantification, reproducibility, and integration of imaging data across platforms. The program does not fund commercial production or early-stage basic research without translational intent. Each application must feature a formal academic-industrial collaboration as a required structural element. The partnership should define how complementary expertise and resources will combine to accelerate technology readiness. Applicants are expected to outline governance, shared leadership, data management, and conflict-resolution structures that ensure the project functions as a single coordinated research effort. The partnership should provide mutual benefits—industry’s experience with quality systems such as GLP and GMP supports reproducibility and manufacturability, while academic partners contribute scientific novelty and access to cutting-edge biomedical research infrastructure. Eligible applicants include a wide spectrum of U.S. and foreign entities: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, tribal and local governments, and foreign organizations or components. Individual investigators with appropriate expertise may serve as Principal Investigators, and multiple-PI leadership arrangements are allowed. There are no cost-sharing or matching-fund requirements. The project period can extend up to five years, and annual direct costs are limited to less than $500,000, reflecting the expected scale for mid-stage translational research. Applications follow NIH’s standard R01 electronic submission procedures through Grants.gov, ASSIST, or system-to-system institutional interfaces. Submissions must conform strictly to the SF424 (R&R) and PHS 398 Application Guide. Key dates follow NIH’s standard R01 cycle: open January 5, 2025; first due February 5, 2025; additional due dates October 5, 2025; February 5, 2026; and October 5, 2026. Each round closes at 5 PM local time. The program expires January 8, 2027. Applications undergo NIH peer review based on three major factors: (1) importance and innovation of the research, (2) rigor and feasibility of the approach, and (3) expertise and adequacy of the environment and partnership. Reviewers evaluate how well proposals demonstrate scientific merit, translational readiness, and potential for lasting impact. Strong applications will present quantifiable performance targets, clear user-oriented innovation, and credible plans for validation in the intended context. Awards are contingent upon appropriations and merit rankings. Earliest possible start dates range from December 2025 to July 2027 depending on review cycle. Program contacts include Dr. Darrell Tata (240-276-5894, Darrell.Tata@nih.gov), Dr. Steven Becker (240-276-6436, Steven.Becker@nih.gov), and Dr. Richard Mazurchuk (240-276-7126, Richard.Mazurchuk@nih.gov) at NCI, with grants-management inquiries directed to Shane Woodward (240-276-6303, woodwars@mail.nih.gov). In summary, this opportunity provides a structured path for academic and industry teams to co-develop, refine, and validate next-generation imaging technologies that could transform cancer diagnosis and therapy. By focusing on translational feasibility rather than exploratory research, the program ensures that promising discoveries progress toward practical deployment, supported by robust peer review and comprehensive compliance with NIH’s data-sharing and human-subjects protections.