Early-Stage Innovative Technology Development for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Cancer Institute is soliciting R61 grant applications under the Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies Program to develop early-stage, proof-of-concept technologies for the molecular or cellular characterization of cancer and the improvement of biospecimen handling and quality control. This initiative focuses on the technical feasibility of novel materials, platforms, assays, instruments, and devices for use in vitro, in situ, or in vivo. Projects must be focused on cancer-relevant use cases and are not intended for hypothesis-driven research using existing technologies. The NCI intends to commit 5.1 million dollars in fiscal year 2027 to fund approximately 20 awards, with individual application budgets limited to 150,000 dollars in direct costs per year for a project period not exceeding three years. Applications are evaluated based on the importance of the research, technical innovation, rigor and feasibility of the approach, and the expertise of the investigators and their environment. Key requirements include the submission of a research strategy limited to six pages, a data management and sharing plan, and the establishment of verifiable numerical performance targets. Eligible applicants include small businesses and other for-profit organizations, all of whom must maintain active SAM registration and eRA Commons accounts. The submission deadlines are July 10, 2026, and November 10, 2026, via Grants.gov. Additionally, recipients must adhere to strict cybersecurity incident reporting guidelines and ensure all human subject protocols are reviewed by an Institutional Review Board.