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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)

Open · Opportunity PAR-25-324 · Assistance Listing 93.393, 93.395, 93.394, 93.399, 93.396, 93.397

Key facts

Deadline
Due Sep 7, 2028 · 701 days left
Award size
Not specified — see notice
Cost share / 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, Other (see eligibility), State government, School district, Larger business, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), City or town government, Special district (utility, fire, etc.), County government, Tribal organization
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. Grant-ready checklist

How this fits you

  • Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
  • No cost share required
  • Tennessee recipients since 2023: 201

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

More from National Institutes of Health

Read the official notice View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar Sign in to save

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:

Eligibility (from the 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.

Should we apply? (2-minute check) Ask a partner for a letter

Your schedule, working back from the deadline

  1. 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
  2. Aug17
    Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
    Suggested: partners need time to write and sign letters.
  3. Aug31
    Finish a complete draft for a final review
    University grant offices require final versions about 5 business days before the sponsor deadline. Emory Office of Sponsored Programs
  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 your tracker and private calendar.

Who in Tennessee has won this program

87 awards to Tennessee recipients in 3 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:

Past Tennessee recipients
RecipientWhereAmountFY
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby County$127.8M1997
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby County$81.5M1993
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby County$41.4M1999
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$36M2003
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby County$31.4M2003
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$25.8M2009
Meharry Medical CollegeNashville, Davidson County$18.8M2011
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$17.3M2019
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$14M2016
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson County$14M1997
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$12.8M2010
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson County$12.6M2014

Source: 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 grantee

This federal money also reaches local groups as subawards. 114 subawards on file. Largest shown:

Tennessee subaward recipients
RecipientWhereThroughAmountFY
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyUniversity of Southern California$2.8M2023
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyVanderbilt University Medical Center$2.5M2023
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyVanderbilt University Medical Center$2.3M2023
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyVanderbilt University Medical Center$2.2M2023
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyThe Johns Hopkins University$1.4M2025
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyBaylor College of Medicine$1.4M2025
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson CountyHealth Research, Inc.$1.3M2025
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Davidson CountyVanderbilt University Medical Center$1.2M2026
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyOhio State University, the$1M2023
St Jude Children'S Research Hospital IncMemphis, Shelby CountyWashington University, the$1M2024
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson CountyVanderbilt University$1M2026
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Davidson CountyRegents of the University of Michigan$974K2023

Source: USAspending.gov subaward reports (prime recipients report subawards of $30,000 or more).

About the program (93.393)

Cancer Cause and Prevention Research

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...

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Examples of funded projects

Not Applicable.

Program listing on SAM.gov

About the program (93.394)

Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research

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...

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Examples of funded projects

Not Applicable.

Program listing on SAM.gov

About the program (93.395)

Cancer Treatment Research

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...

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Examples of funded projects

Not Applicable.

Program listing on SAM.gov

About the program (93.396)

Cancer Biology Research

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.

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Examples of funded projects

Not Applicable.

Program listing on SAM.gov

About the program (93.397)

Cancer Centers Support Grants — Cancer Centers

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.

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Examples of funded projects

Not Applicable.

Program listing on SAM.gov

About the program (93.399)

Cancer Control — Cancer Control Grants

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.

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Examples of funded projects

Not Applicable.

Program listing on SAM.gov

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