The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering a funding opportunity under the Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative (TEC) Program, entitled Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research. This initiative invites applications for R01 Research Project Grants to develop and characterize advanced biomimetic tissue-engineered technologies for cancer research. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, leveraging advancements in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, biomaterials, and bioengineering to create innovative models that mimic the pathophysiology of cancer. These models are intended to improve early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies, enhancing the overall understanding of cancer biology.

The program aims to catalyze the development of in vitro and ex vivo systems that replicate tumor biology and address critical research questions difficult to study in vivo. Key objectives include creating systems that model cancer progression, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and interactions with therapeutic interventions. Examples of supported research areas include scaffolds and bioreactors for studying cancer biology, responsive materials mimicking tumor behavior, and personalized platforms for patient-specific drug screening. Projects must incorporate a clear cancer research hypothesis, emphasizing the relevance of the proposed technologies to cancer-related challenges.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, local and state governments, tribal governments, and foreign entities. Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged, particularly those combining expertise in cancer biology with regenerative medicine or bioengineering. Individuals from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must adhere to strict application guidelines, ensuring their projects align with the funding announcement's scope. Applications that do not incorporate a cancer research component or focus solely on in vivo tissue engineering are ineligible.

The maximum project period is five years, with direct costs limited to $400,000 annually. Applicants should budget for travel to annual TEC investigator meetings and related networking events. A letter of intent is encouraged but not required, and applications must be submitted electronically through NIH's ASSIST system or Grants.gov by February 5, 2025. The expiration date for this opportunity is May 8, 2025.

Applications will be evaluated based on their significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and investigator expertise. Key considerations include the novelty of the proposed technology, its potential impact on cancer research, and the applicant's multidisciplinary approach. Projects must demonstrate the biological relevance of the proposed systems, detailing how they replicate tumor pathophysiology and addressing any limitations in the design.

This funding opportunity seeks to advance cancer research by fostering innovative approaches that bridge the gap between conventional in vitro models and in vivo studies. Applicants are expected to leverage cutting-edge technologies, collaborate across disciplines, and address critical challenges in understanding and combating cancer.