Search Grant Opportunities

Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

ID: PAR-25-108 • Type: Posted

Description

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing to utilize bacteria, archaebacteria, bacteriophages, or other non-oncolytic viruses and their natural products to study the underlying mechanisms of the complex interactions between microorganisms, tumors, and the immune system, and to explore their clinical potential for cancer imaging, therapeutics or diagnostics. Projects can focus on using microorganisms as anti-tumor agents, as activators of anti-tumor immunity, or as delivery vehicles for treatment, diagnosis, or imaging, complementing or synergizing with existing tools and approaches. This NOFO will support basic mechanistic and preclinical studies in cell culture and animal models. Applicants are encouraged to address both the microbial and tumor aspects of microbial tumor interactions relevant to microbial-based cancer therapy (including therapies for oral cancer), tumor imaging, tumor detection, or diagnosis. The R21 FOA is intended to encourage exploratory projects that are at an early conceptual stage feasibility study (inception through preliminary development) to demonstrate the core functional capabilities of the proposed approach. The proposed projects may involve considerable risk and should be aimed at producing breakthroughs in microbial-based cancer therapy, imaging, or diagnosis. This funding opportunity is part of broader NCI-sponsored research on microbial-based cancer therapy.
Background
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to encourage grant applications that utilize microorganisms, including bacteria and archaebacteria, in the study of cancer.

The goal is to explore their potential for cancer imaging, therapeutics, or diagnostics, addressing the complex interactions between microorganisms, tumors, and the immune system. This funding opportunity is part of broader NCI-sponsored research on microbial-based cancer therapy.

Grant Details
This NOFO supports exploratory projects aimed at demonstrating core functional capabilities of microbial-based approaches to cancer therapy. Projects may involve basic mechanistic and preclinical studies in cell culture and animal models.

Applicants are encouraged to focus on both microbial and tumor aspects relevant to microbial-based cancer therapy, including therapies for oral cancer, tumor imaging, detection, or diagnosis. Specific research areas include:
- Basic biology of microbe-tumor interactions such as invasion and antigen presentation.
- Microbial interactions with the immune system to induce specific antitumor immunity.
- Development of novel microbial species with therapeutic potential.
- Strategies for treating poorly vascularized tumors or distant metastases.
- Approaches for microbial-based cancer detection and imaging.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), local and state governments, tribal governments, federal agencies, and foreign organizations. Institutions serving underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Period of Performance
The maximum project period is 2 years with a budget not exceeding $275,000 for direct costs over this period. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant is up to $275,000 over a maximum project period of 2 years.

Overview

Category of Funding
Education
Health
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
On 11/12/24 the National Institutes of Health posted grant opportunity PAR-25-108 for Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). The grant will be issued under grant program 93.121 Oral Diseases and Disorders Research.

Timing

Posted Date
Nov. 12, 2024, 12:00 a.m. EST
Closing Date
May 7, 2025, 12:00 a.m. EDT Due in 149 Days
Last Updated
Nov. 12, 2024, 11:53 a.m. EST
Version
1
Archive Date
June 12, 2025

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Special district governments
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Independent school districts
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Private institutions of higher education
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
For profit organizations other than small businesses
State governments
City or township governments
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Small businesses
County governments
Additional Info
Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.

Contacts

Contact
National Institutes of Health
Contact Email
Email Description
See Section VII. Agency Contacts within the full opportunity announcement for all other inquires.
Contact Phone
(301) 402-2541
Additional Information
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-108.html

Documents

Posted documents for PAR-25-108

Potential Applicants and Partners

Awardees that have recently won grants similar to PAR-25-108

Incumbent or Similar Grants

Grants similar to PAR-25-108

Similar Active Opportunities

Open grant opportunities similar to PAR-25-108