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National Institutes of Health · Department of Health and Human Services

Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

Open

Key facts

Deadline
Due Sep 7, 2028 · 699 days left
Award size
Not stated: see the official notice
Match ?
Not required · Work out your budget and match
Who can apply
Tribal government, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), State government, City or town government, County government, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), Small business, Larger business, School district, Tribal organization, Private college or university, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), Public college or university, and others named in the official notice
Where
Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee

Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist

How this fits you

  • Available in Hamilton County (nationwide program)
  • No match required
  • Past Tennessee awards on file: 151

Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.

About this grant

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages the submission of exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) applications that focus on different aspects of cancer control by modifying behavior, screening, and understanding etiologic factors contributing to the development of cancer, and developing ways to control cancer. The overarching goal is to provide support to promote the early and conceptual stages of research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance population-based cancer research, such as the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of cancer research (epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, health care delivery or clinical).

Who can apply, from the official notice

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.

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Ask a partner for a letter

Your schedule, working back from the deadline

  1. Oct9
    Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
    Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov
  2. Aug17
    Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
    Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters.
  3. Aug31
    Finish a complete draft for a final review
    Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft.
  4. Sep5
    Submit
    Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog
  5. Sep7
    Deadline
    From the funder.

Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.

Writing the need statement? Hamilton County facts with citations.

Who in Tennessee has won this program

19 awards to Tennessee groups in 3 counties since 1981 · 0 in Hamilton County. Largest shown:

Past Tennessee winners
Past winnerWhereAmountFiscal year
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$14.4M spent that year2025
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc.Memphis, Shelby County$14.2M spent that year2025
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$14M2016
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson County$14M1997
Baptist Memorial Hospital-TiptonCovington, Tipton County$11.9M2014
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$11.1M1981
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$9.8M2023
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$8.6M2021
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby County$6.8M2005
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby County$6M2025
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby County$5.1M2013
Baptist Memorial Hospital-TiptonCovington, Tipton County$4.8M2013

Source: Federal Audit Clearinghouse; USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.

Tennessee groups that got this money through a state agency or another organization

This federal money also reaches local groups as pass-through grants. 132 pass-through grants on file · 0 in Hamilton County. Largest shown:

Tennessee pass-through grant winners
Past winnerWhereThroughAmountFiscal year
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson CountyHealth Research, Inc.$1.3M2025
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyOhio State University, the$1M2023
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyThe General Hospital Corporation$663K2023
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson CountyOhio State University, the$568K2024
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson CountyUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston$519K2024
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyBaylor College of Medicine$507K2026
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyWashington University, the$415K2025
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc.Memphis, Shelby CountyNorthwestern University$393K spent that year2025
State of TennesseeNashvilleUniversity of Utah$373K spent that year2025
Meharry Medical CollegeNashville, Davidson CountyVanderbilt University Medical Center$369K2023
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyNorthwestern University$350K2023
St Jude Children's Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyNorthwestern University$350K2024

Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).

More from National Institutes of Health

About the federal program

Cancer Cause and Prevention Research
Program number 93.393 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Cooperative agreement (a grant with close agency involvement), project grant

How applications are judged

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; 2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...

Match

None required (federal program listing).

This program on SAM.gov

About the federal program

Cancer Control, also called “Cancer Control Grants”
Program number 93.399 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Project grant

How applications are judged

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives.

Match

None required (federal program listing).

This program on SAM.gov

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