The National Cancer Institute (NCI), under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit grant applications for exploratory research projects focused on developing highly innovative molecular and cellular analysis technologies for cancer research. This NOFO, identified as RFA-CA-25-001, supports the inception and early-stage development of novel technologies that address critical gaps in molecular and cellular characterizations relevant to cancer biology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Projects must demonstrate a high degree of technical innovation and potential for transformative impact but may involve feasibility risks. Applications that focus on applying existing technologies without significant modification or addressing specific biological or clinical questions are not responsive to this opportunity.

The goal of the NOFO is to stimulate the development of new or improved technologies that can significantly advance cancer research, including early detection, screening, diagnostics, epidemiology, and addressing cancer health disparities. Projects must propose tools or methods with broad applicability, offering substantial advancements over existing approaches. Specific areas of interest include technologies for monitoring cancer stages and progression, elucidating cancer initiation mechanisms, enhancing early detection and screening, advancing drug discovery and delivery, and addressing disparities in cancer outcomes. Applications must also include quantitative performance measures to evaluate the feasibility and success of the proposed technology.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, small businesses, for-profit organizations, local governments, tribal organizations, and foreign entities. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations and foreign components are also eligible to apply. Applicants must complete necessary registrations, including in SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, prior to submission. Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) must hold an eRA Commons ID. Applications must comply with NIH application guidelines, including page limits, performance measures, and data management plans.

Applications will be evaluated based on their scientific and technical merit using three main criteria: the importance of the research (significance and innovation), rigor and feasibility (approach), and the expertise and resources available (investigator and environment). Specific emphasis will be placed on the novelty and potential impact of the proposed technology, the feasibility of the approach, and the appropriateness of the performance measures. Peer review will assign scores based on these factors, and funding decisions will consider the review outcome, availability of funds, and alignment with program priorities.

The R61 mechanism is used for this opportunity, which supports early-stage, exploratory, or idea-based projects. Applications must propose technologies at the conceptual phase where feasibility has not yet been established. Preliminary data are not required but may be included. Projects ready for validation or advanced development should apply to the companion R33 funding opportunities. The NCI anticipates funding approximately 17 awards, with a total budget of $4.2 million in fiscal year 2026. Direct costs are limited to $150,000 per year for up to three years.

Key application deadlines include April 4, 2025, and October 3, 2025, with the earliest start dates of December 2025 and July 2026, respectively. Letters of intent are encouraged and must be submitted at least 30 days before the application deadline. All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization, with no late submissions accepted. Applicants are also required to attend an annual IMAT Program meeting to share progress and insights.

For additional guidance, applicants may contact the designated Scientific/Research Contact, Kelly Crotty, Ph.D., at the National Cancer Institute. Comprehensive submission instructions are available in the NIH Application Guide, and applicants must adhere to all specified requirements to ensure successful submission and consideration.