The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects, issued under PAR-26-134, is a funding initiative led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health (NIH). This reissue seeks to support research that contributes to the Metastasis Research Network, a coordinated research effort launched in 2021 to understand metastasis as a dynamic, systems-level biological process. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is a continuation of NCI’s broader mission to generate fundamental insights into the causes and development of cancer with the expectation of translating such findings into improved prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies for metastatic disease. The purpose of this NOFO is to solicit U01 cooperative agreement applications for discrete research projects that employ integrative systems-level approaches to examine specific, underexplored aspects of metastasis. These research projects are intended to fill gaps and complement ongoing work within the broader MetNet, which currently includes U54 Research Centers. Topics of interest include early dissemination, dormancy, the role of the tumor micro- and macroenvironment, and the emergence of metastatic lesions across various cancers. Metastatic research is particularly emphasized for organ sites such as lung, bone, and liver and cancers with rising mortality or disparities in outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with central themes established by previous MetNet solicitations, such as RFA-CA-20-029. Examples of encouraged research areas include the mechanisms of metastatic dormancy, pre-metastatic niche formation, interactions with immune or neural components, and development of advanced experimental models or tracking tools for in vivo analysis. Proposals must demonstrate clear relevance to metastasis and systems-level inquiry. Projects that focus on therapy development, population-level epidemiology, or lack systems-level focus will be deemed non-responsive and not reviewed. Applications must be submitted electronically via ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional system-to-system portals. Conformance with NIH submission and formatting standards, including registration with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, is mandatory. Required components include a clearly defined research strategy emphasizing significance, innovation, and systems-level approach, along with a data and resource sharing plan and designation of a Resource and Data Sharing Manager. Budgets must set aside $25,000 annually from years two through five to support intra-network pilot projects and include funds for attending annual investigator meetings. Eligibility is broad, encompassing higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, tribal governments, and international entities, provided they comply with NIH's restrictions on foreign subawards. Individuals with the appropriate expertise and institutional backing may apply as PD/PIs. Applications proposing multiple PIs are encouraged to reflect interdisciplinary collaboration. The NIH expects rigorous evaluation criteria, including the significance of the research, feasibility of the approach, and qualifications of the team. Applications will be accepted on NIH standard due dates: June 5 and October 5 annually, with renewals/resubmissions due a month later. Reviews follow NIH peer review procedures, with earliest possible award starts being April 2027 for the June 2026 submission cycle. The opportunity is open until November 6, 2028, and is forecasted to recur on a semi-annual basis. Questions may be directed to the NCI MetNet Program at [email protected] or the Office of Grants Administration at [email protected].

Focus on systems-level approaches to metastasis; proposals must align with central MetNet themes and demonstrate integration with network; avoid non-responsive project types.