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 Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Department of Health and Human Services, is forecasting a new funding opportunity through the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This forecasted opportunity, titled "Cancer Epidemiology Cohorts: Building the Next Generation of Research Cohorts (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," is intended to support the development of a new generation of cancer epidemiology cohorts that can fill critical gaps in understanding cancer etiology and survivorship. The anticipated funding mechanism will be a cooperative agreement, signifying substantial programmatic involvement from NIH staff. The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to lay the groundwork for future epidemiologic research by establishing well-designed research cohorts. These cohorts will be structured to enable future prospective studies that can systematically investigate the environmental, genetic, molecular, clinical, lifestyle, and other key determinants that drive cancer risk and outcomes. The long-term objective is to build sustainable and comprehensive data infrastructure that can generate new scientific insights into the causes and progression of cancer. The funding opportunity falls under the discretionary category and aligns with the Health category of federal funding activities. It will be associated with Assistance Listing Number 93.399, specifically targeting Cancer Control. Although details regarding the total program funding, award ceiling, and award floor have not yet been disclosed, it is anticipated that the awards will begin around July 1, 2026. The estimated date for publishing the official FOA is August 1, 2025, and the estimated application due date is November 5, 2025. The project start date is expected to coincide with the award date. Eligible applicants for this opportunity include a broad range of institutional types: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), independent school districts, state and local governments, Native American tribal governments (both federally recognized and other tribal organizations), county governments, and public housing authorities. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are also eligible to apply. This indicates a strong commitment to inclusivity in participation from across sectors. As this is a forecasted opportunity, the grant is currently not accepting applications. However, once the opportunity is published, detailed application instructions and required forms will be available via Grants.gov. It is recommended that interested applicants monitor the platform and prepare to engage once the official FOA is released. Since this is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect close collaboration with NCI staff during the funding period. For additional information, prospective applicants may contact Naoko Ishibe Simonds, Sc.D., or Lisa Gallicchio, Ph.D., at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Simonds can be reached at 240-276-6967 or via email at naoko.simonds@nih.gov. This proactive engagement is encouraged, especially for institutions intending to prepare applications ahead of the anticipated release.