National Institutes of Health · Department of Health and Human Services
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award Extension Request (Type 4 eSubmission Clinical Trial Optional)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Sep 7, 2028 · 701 days left
- Award size
- Not stated: see the official notice
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Public college or university, Private college or university, Tribal government, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), Small business, State government, School district, Larger business, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), City or town government, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), County government, Tribal organization, 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: 474
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/705f557f-8e45-4a72-a32b-6659c96c6a6f · Printed from grantme.click/grants/6724ecf7-edec-4430-be1d-1b4be59c4adc
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
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About this grant
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) (R37) Award provides extended grant support to Early Stage Investigators (ESIs). By providing such an opportunity for longer term support to ESIs, the NCI intends to offer flexibility and opportunity for creativity and innovation and additional time to successfully launch their careers and to become more established before having to submit renewal applications (NOT-CA-18-037). The objective of the NCI's ESI MERIT Award is to allow eligible investigators the opportunity to obtain up to 7 years of support in two segments:
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.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
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 - Aug17
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Aug31
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Sep5
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - 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
110 awards to Tennessee groups in 3 counties since 1981 · 0 in Hamilton County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $127.8M | 1997 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $81.5M | 1993 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $41.4M | 1999 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $36M | 2003 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $31.4M | 2003 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $25.8M | 2009 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | $18.8M | 2011 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $17.3M | 2019 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | $14.7M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $14.4M spent that year | 2025 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | $14.2M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $14M | 2016 |
Source: USAspending.gov, Federal Audit Clearinghouse. 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. 364 pass-through grants on file · 0 in Hamilton County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Through | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | University of Southern California | $2.8M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Vumc | $2.6M spent that year | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $2.5M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $2.5M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $2.3M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $2.2M | 2023 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | The Johns Hopkins University | $1.4M | 2025 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | Baylor College of Medicine | $1.4M | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Health Research, Inc. | $1.3M | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $1.2M | 2026 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | Public Health Institute | $1.1M spent that year | 2023 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | Ohio State University, the | $1M | 2023 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).
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).
About the federal program
Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research
Program number 93.394 (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).
About the federal program
Cancer Treatment Research
Program number 93.395 (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 applications 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...
Match
None required (federal program listing).
About the federal program
Cancer Biology Research
Program number 93.396 (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 applications 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 will be considered in making funding decisions: 1) Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review; 2) Availability of funds; and 3) Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
About the federal program
Cancer Centers Support Grants, also called “Cancer Centers”
Program number 93.397 (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 applications include the following: (1) An adequate base of established programs of high quality in laboratory and clinical cancer research; (2) research activity in a variety of disciplines, and evidence of high degree of interdisciplinary coordination, interaction and cooperation among center members; (3) appropriate and adequate organization and facilities for the conduct and evaluation of center activities; (4) a qualified director with adequate authority; and (5) an adequate commitment of the parent institution or institutions to the cancer center. The center should be recognized as a major element within the organizational structure.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
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).