Cancer Prevention and Control Clinical Trials Planning Grant Program (R34 Clinical Trials Optional) | PAR 25 104

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 104

The Cancer Prevention and Control Clinical Trials Planning Grant Program (R34 Clinical Trials Optional), NIH funding opportunity PAR-25-104, supports early-stage planning work that helps investigators build a solid foundation for a future clinical trial in cancer prevention and cancer control. The emphasis is on getting the trial design and operations right before launching a full-scale study, so that later trial start-up is smoother, timelines are more realistic, and costly mid-course protocol changes are less likely. This program sits within the broader cancer prevention and control spectrum, meaning it can apply to research that improves prevention and interception strategies, cancer-related health behaviors, screening and early detection, healthcare delivery and implementation approaches, management of treatment-related symptoms, supportive care, and long-term outcomes for cancer survivors.

A central idea behind this opportunity is that having a strong scientific rationale or promising preliminary findings is often not enough to run an efficient, successful clinical trial. Many projects stall because key practical questions are still unanswered, such as who the real-world study population should be, whether recruitment and retention will be feasible, what barriers might limit accrual, how the intervention should be delivered in the intended setting, which outcomes or endpoints are both meaningful and measurable, and what data management or statistical issues could undermine the analysis. Operational risks can also be uncertain in advance, including staffing needs, site readiness, workflow integration, participant burden, and the practicality of collecting biospecimens or repeated measures. The R34 mechanism is designed to fund targeted preparatory work that closes these gaps so that the later clinical trial protocol is finalized on firmer ground.

Another feature highlighted in the announcement is support for testing the suitability and feasibility of newer, potentially more efficient trial designs, especially designs intended to reduce infrastructure needs and lower costs. In practice, this could mean piloting elements of a pragmatic trial in a healthcare system, assessing whether a decentralized or hybrid approach works for a specific at-risk population, or confirming that the proposed design can be executed in a particular venue such as community clinics, safety-net systems, workplaces, or other community settings. The goal is not simply to do more preliminary research, but to generate the specific operational and methodological evidence needed to finalize a high-quality clinical trial plan and improve the likelihood that the subsequent trial can be completed on time and within budget.

The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health, with the broader intent of saving time and resources for both applicants and the National Cancer Institute by preventing avoidable delays and redesigns after a trial has already begun. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed under education and health (CFDA 93.399). The FOA has a long application window, with an original closing date of 2027-10-25, reflecting that it is meant to be an ongoing pathway for investigators who are approaching clinical trial readiness but still need focused planning support.

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive across many organization types. Standard eligible applicants include state, county, city, and township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories that are often critical partners in prevention and control research, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized; faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility aligns with the reality that cancer prevention, screening, symptom management, survivorship, and healthcare delivery research frequently depends on community partnerships and diverse clinical and public health settings.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cancer Prevention and Control Clinical Trials Planning Grant Program (R34 Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-10-25.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 25 104

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