Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 113
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-19-113) supports research projects aimed at building and rigorously characterizing advanced, biomimetic tissue-engineered platforms that can be used to study cancer. The main idea is to move beyond overly simplified lab models by creating in vitro and ex vivo systems that better reproduce real cancer biology, including the physical structure and functional behavior of tumors and their surrounding microenvironments. These technologies are expected to help researchers model cancer pathophysiology more faithfully, making it easier to study how cancers develop, interact with surrounding tissues, and respond to therapeutic interventions.
A central feature of this announcement is its emphasis on collaborative, multidisciplinary work. Competitive projects are expected to bridge expertise across regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, biomaterials, and bioengineering, while being deeply grounded in cancer biology. The goal is to combine these fields to create experimental systems that are not just novel, but also well-characterized and useful to the broader research community. In practice, this means applicants should be thinking about both engineering performance (such as architecture, mechanical properties, perfusion, extracellular matrix features, and cell-cell interactions) and cancer-relevant biological function (such as invasion, metastasis-associated behavior, immune interactions, stromal dynamics, hypoxia, and treatment response).
Awardees funded under this FOA will form and participate in a coordinated program known as the Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative (TEC) Research Program. The Cancer TEC Program is designed to function as a community of funded teams that collectively push the field forward rather than working in isolation. Program goals include catalyzing the development of innovative, carefully validated tissue-engineered systems for cancer research; expanding the range of these systems across multiple cancer types so the toolkit is not limited to a narrow set of diseases; and encouraging researchers to use biomimetic tissue-engineered platforms to explore key cancer phenomena that are difficult to study with traditional models. In other words, the program is trying to both improve the technology itself and increase its adoption and usefulness across cancer research.
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism, with clinical trials listed as optional, meaning proposals may include a clinical trial component if it is appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity areas fall under education and health, with CFDA numbers listed as 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399. The posted award ceiling in the provided source data is $400,000 (typically interpreted as a limit tied to direct costs per year unless otherwise specified in the full FOA), and the opportunity was created on 2018-12-17, with an original closing date of 2022-01-07. The source data also notes "ExpectedAwards:" without a value provided, so the number of awards is not specified in the excerpt.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations as well as some non-U.S. participation. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility is consistent with the collaborative nature of the program and its intent to pull together diverse expertise and institutional strengths.
Overall, this FOA is aimed at accelerating next-generation cancer research models that more closely mirror real human disease, while building an interconnected research community around tissue-engineered cancer technologies. A strong application, based on the description provided, would be expected to propose a cutting-edge biomimetic platform, demonstrate a clear plan for thorough characterization and validation, show tight integration between engineering and cancer biology, and fit within the shared goals of the Cancer TEC Research Program to broaden model availability across cancer types and enable deeper exploration of cancer behavior in physiologically realistic systems.Apply for PAR 19 113
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" with Funding Opportunity Number PAR-19-113.
What is the main purpose of PAR-19-113?
The FOA supports research projects that build and rigorously characterize advanced, biomimetic tissue-engineered platforms for cancer research. The intent is to move beyond overly simplified laboratory models by creating in vitro and ex vivo systems that better reproduce real tumor biology and the tumor microenvironment.
What kinds of research models is NIH looking for under this FOA?
Projects are expected to develop biomimetic tissue-engineered technologies, including in vitro and ex vivo systems, that more faithfully reproduce the physical structure and functional behavior of tumors and their surrounding microenvironments.
Why does this FOA emphasize "biomimetic" platforms?
The emphasis is on models that better match real cancer pathophysiology so researchers can study how cancers develop, interact with surrounding tissues, and respond to therapeutic interventions in a more physiologically realistic setting than traditional simplified models.
What is meant by "rigorously characterizing" the platform?
Based on the FOA description, applicants are expected to do more than build a new system. They should provide a clear plan for thorough characterization and validation of the platform, including both engineering performance and cancer-relevant biological function.
What engineering features are considered relevant in competitive applications?
The FOA highlights engineering performance aspects such as architecture, mechanical properties, perfusion, extracellular matrix (ECM) features, and cell-cell interactions.
What cancer biology functions are considered relevant in competitive applications?
The FOA highlights cancer-relevant biological functions such as invasion, metastasis-associated behavior, immune interactions, stromal dynamics, hypoxia, and treatment response.
Is this opportunity focused on a single cancer type?
No. A stated program goal is to expand the range of tissue-engineered systems across multiple cancer types so the toolkit is not limited to a narrow set of diseases.
What is the Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative (TEC) Research Program?
Awardees funded under this FOA will form and participate in a coordinated program called the Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative (TEC) Research Program. It is intended to operate as a community of funded teams that collectively advance the field rather than working in isolation.
What are the goals of the Cancer TEC Research Program?
The goals described include: catalyzing innovative and carefully validated tissue-engineered systems for cancer research; expanding these systems across multiple cancer types; and encouraging broader use of biomimetic tissue-engineered platforms to study cancer phenomena that are difficult to address with traditional models.
Does the FOA require collaboration?
Collaboration is a central theme. Competitive projects are expected to be collaborative and multidisciplinary, bridging expertise in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, biomaterials, and bioengineering, while being deeply grounded in cancer biology.
What does "deeply grounded in cancer biology" imply for applicants?
It suggests the engineered platform should be designed with clear relevance to cancer pathophysiology and include cancer-focused functional readouts (for example, invasion, immune interactions, hypoxia, and treatment response) rather than being purely an engineering demonstration.
What NIH grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism.
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are optional. Proposals may include a clinical trial component if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required under this FOA.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
The activity areas are listed as education and health.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed are 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399.
What is the award ceiling listed in the provided information?
The posted award ceiling in the provided source data is $400,000. The description notes this is typically interpreted as a limit tied to direct costs per year unless otherwise specified in the full FOA.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
The excerpted source data shows "ExpectedAwards:" but does not provide a value. Based on the information provided here, the number of expected awards is not specified.
When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2018-12-17, and the original closing date listed is 2022-01-07.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations as well as non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Eligible applicants listed include various government entities, higher education institutions (public and private), tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses.
Are state and local governments eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant list includes state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, as well as special district governments.
Are schools and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Are for-profit organizations and small businesses eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and also includes small businesses.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted among eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights U.S. territories or possessions as eligible applicant categories.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligible applicant list explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).
Are minority-serving institutions specifically called out as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and other categories.
What kind of application is likely to be competitive based on the description provided?
Based on the summary provided, a strong application would propose a cutting-edge biomimetic platform, include a clear plan for thorough characterization and validation, demonstrate tight integration between engineering and cancer biology, and align with the Cancer TEC Research Program goals (including broader model availability across cancer types and enabling deeper exploration of cancer behavior in physiologically realistic systems).
Is the program trying to create tools just for the awardee's lab, or for broader use?
The description emphasizes usefulness to the broader research community and increased adoption of biomimetic tissue-engineered platforms across cancer research, suggesting that community utility is an important consideration.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 19 113) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 111 Funding Number: PA 19 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 112 Funding Number: PA 19 112 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 130 Funding Number: PA 19 130 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Laboratories for Early Clinical Evaluation of Pharmacotherapies for Substance Use Disorders (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 19 018 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 133 Funding Number: PAR 19 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 136 Funding Number: PAR 19 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Analytical Tools and Approaches for (Multidimensional) Scholarly Research Assessment and Decision Support in the Biomedical Enterprise (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 030 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Analytical Tools and Approaches for (Multidimensional) Scholarly Research Assessment and Decision Support in the Biomedical Enterprise (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 031 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U2C Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 028 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Drug Discovery For Nervous System Disorders (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 147 Funding Number: PAR 19 147 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Discovery For Nervous System Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 146 Funding Number: PAR 19 146 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 159 Funding Number: PAR 19 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 153 Funding Number: PAR 19 153 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 150 Funding Number: PAR 19 150 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 149 Funding Number: PAR 19 149 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Accelerating the Pace of Child Health Research Using Existing Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 162 Funding Number: PAR 19 162 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mobile Technologies Extending Reach of Primary Care for Substance-Use-Disorders (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 022 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mobile Technologies Extending Reach of Primary Care for Substance-Use-Disorders (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 021 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (UM1 Clinical Trials Required) Apply for RFA CA 19 007 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| Virtual Reality Tools to Enhance Evidence Based Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 033 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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