Forecast to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and under the broader umbrella of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is forecasting a funding opportunity aimed at establishing the next generation of cancer epidemiology cohorts. The purpose of this initiative is to support research that seeks to address persistent knowledge gaps in the areas of cancer etiology and survivorship. By fostering new cohort development, this funding opportunity intends to generate resources and data that can drive prospective studies into the causes and consequences of cancer, enabling deeper understanding and future research. The forecasted grant program, officially titled "Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," will operate under the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism. This mechanism is employed for collaborative research projects where NIH scientific or programmatic staff play a significant role. This opportunity is classified under discretionary funding and falls within the “Health” category of funding activities. The program is included under Assistance Listing 93.399 — Cancer Control. Eligible applicant organizations for this opportunity include a broad range of public and private U.S. entities. These include Native American tribal organizations (both federally recognized and not), 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding higher education institutions), state governments, county governments, public and private institutions of higher education, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations not classified as small businesses. Additional eligible entities include public housing authorities, Indian housing authorities, and independent school districts. Notably, the grant does not impose a cost-sharing or matching requirement, making it more accessible to diverse applicant types. According to the forecast notice, the funding opportunity is expected to be published on August 1, 2025. Interested applicants should prepare for a submission deadline of November 5, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified of awards around July 1, 2026, with project start dates also anticipated on July 1, 2026. The total program funding and individual award amounts have not yet been specified, and there is no stated limit (ceiling or floor) on funding, providing flexibility based on proposed project scope and merit. Potential applicants should direct any inquiries to Naoko Ishibe Simonds, Sc.D., or Lisa Gallicchio, Ph.D., at the National Cancer Institute. The contact phone number is 240-276-6967, and Dr. Simonds may be reached via email at naoko.simonds@nih.gov. Given that this is a forecasted notice, applicants are encouraged to begin preliminary preparations and track updates through the Grants.gov website for the full NOFO publication.