The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has issued a forecast for a forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled “The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed).” This funding opportunity, identified by Opportunity Number FOR-CA-25-085, is categorized under discretionary funding and is aimed at advancing cancer metastasis research using integrative systems-level approaches. The NOFO is expected to be published in summer 2025, with applications due by October 22, 2025. It anticipates awarding up to 10 cooperative agreements starting on July 1, 2026.
The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet), established in 2021, supports research that emphasizes metastasis as a dynamic and systemic biological process. The network currently includes U54 Research Centers, which leverage systems biology to develop mechanistic models of metastasis across biological and temporal scales. This initiative is designed to promote collaboration among researchers investigating various aspects of metastasis, including dormancy, early dissemination, cellular and physical microenvironment interactions, and metastatic responses to therapeutic interventions.
The upcoming U01 cooperative agreements will fund projects that align with MetNet’s core research themes and will require awardees to fully integrate with the broader network. This includes participation in MetNet governance through service on the Steering Committee and full involvement in network activities. The U01 projects must not propose clinical trials but should instead focus on preclinical or systems-based mechanistic studies.
Applicants will be required to formulate proposals that fit within the objectives of the existing MetNet structure and address specific research areas such as those previously outlined in NOFO RFA-CA-20-029. The intention of this forecast is to allow sufficient time for prospective applicants to build collaborative teams and develop competitive applications that are in sync with the network’s mission.
The eligible applicant types include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, state and local government entities, higher education institutions (both public and private), small and for-profit businesses, Native American tribal organizations and governments, and housing authorities. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. All activities funded through this opportunity must align with the overarching goal of contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the metastasis process at a systems level.
Applicants are encouraged to begin preliminary planning and team development in anticipation of the official NOFO publication. Joanna M. Watson, Ph.D., from the National Cancer Institute, serves as the primary contact for this opportunity and can be reached at 240-276-6206 or watsonjo@mail.nih.gov for further details. Although applications are not currently being accepted, this forecast offers a clear opportunity for early engagement and preparation ahead of the estimated open date of August 22, 2025.
