National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Note: Not all NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) participate in Announcements. Applicants should carefully note which ICOs participate in this announcement and view their respective areas of research interest at the ICO-Specific Scientific Interests website. ICOs that do not participate in this announcement will not consider applications for funding.
U54 Specialized Center- Cooperative Agreements
See Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits applications for research on developing a comprehensive and cohesive understanding of cancer metastasis. Towards this goal, the NCI will support U54 Specialized Centers that together will continue to serve as the hub of the Metastasis Research Network (MetNet). Each MetNet Center should propose an overarching scientific theme that will be pursued through two or three scientific inter- and multidisciplinary basic research projects. The projects should use integrative system level approaches to elucidate and integrate a mechanistic understanding of the non-linear, dynamic, and emergent processes in metastasis. Overarching themes should encompass the interplay between at least two central elements in the metastatic process such as early dissemination, cellular, soluble and/or physical microenvironment crosstalk, dormancy, or mechanisms of responses by metastatic cells to therapies. Studies on all types of cancer are welcome, including rare and pediatric metastatic cancers.
Research proposed by MetNet Centers is expected to advance our understanding towards a more comprehensive appreciation of metastasis as a whole body, systems-level problem.
To provide fundamental information on the cause and nature of cancer in people, with the expectation that this will result in better methods of prevention, detection and diagnosis, and treatment of neoplastic diseases. Cancer Biology Research includes the following research programs: cancer cell biology; cancer immunology, hematology and etiology; DNA and chromosomal aberrations; tumor biology and metastasis; and structural biology and molecular applications.
| Application Due Dates | Review and Award Cycles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Renewal / Resubmission / Revision (as allowed) | AIDS - New/Renewal/Resubmission/Revision, as allowed | Scientific Merit Review | Advisory Council Review | Earliest Start Date |
| September 25, 2026 * | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | March 2027 | May 2027 | July 2027 |
All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date.
Not Applicable
It is critical that applicants follow the Multi-Project (M) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the How to Apply - Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the How to Apply - Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.
There are several options available to submit your application through Grants.gov to NIH and Department of Health and Human Services partners. You must use one of these submission options to access the application forms for this opportunity.
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to encourage applications that will contribute to developing a comprehensive and cohesive understanding of cancer metastasis. Towards this goal, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will support several U54 Specialized Research Centers that together will form the hub of the Metastasis Research Network (MetNet). Each MetNet Center should propose an overarching scientific theme that will be pursued through two or three inter- and multidisciplinary basic research projects. The projects should use integrative systems approaches to elucidate a mechanistic understanding of the non-linear, dynamic, and emergent processes in metastasis. Overarching themes should encompass the interplay between at least two central components in the metastatic process such as early dissemination; cellular, soluble and/or physical microenvironment crosstalk; dormancy; or mechanisms of metastatic cell responses to therapies. This research is expected to advance our understanding towards a more comprehensive appreciation of metastasis as whole body, system-level problem.
Complexity of Metastatic Dissemination. Metastatic cancer accounts for a majority of cancer-associated deaths from solid tumors. Our understanding of the mechanisms associated with metastasis is complicated by the fact that some genetically distinct cancer cells can disseminate early, and, for some cancers, before progression to clinically defined invasive stages of the primary cancer. Dissemination occurs in the context of a multitude of complex reciprocal and emergent interactions among the tumor and its soluble and physical microenvironments that can promote dynamic crosstalk between multiple organ systems. Despite increased understanding of many of the individual steps in metastasis, less is known about how each step is influenced by or influences distant tissues and the whole organism. Dissemination can also occur non-linearly, via multiple concurrent, partially overlapping routes that require the acquisition of cell autonomous and microenvironment-mediated metastasis-promoting phenotypes. Because the molecular requirements are distinct for growth in different organs and environments, defining such phenotypes is challenging. However, use of integrative approaches that incorporate the host micro- and macroenvironment, immune-mediated events, and crosstalk among the primary tumor, pre-metastatic and metastatic sites can aid in shedding light on the complexity and dynamic nature of metastasis.
Understanding the Spectrum of the Metastatic Process. Metastasis research has often focused on discrete elements of the metastatic process, such as the acquisition of an invasive and migratory phenotype with experimental systems mimicking intravasation and extravasation using advanced stage tumor models or accelerated metastasis models in murine systems. Although these systems may use human cells, the extent to which these models reflect the mechanisms of metastasis in patients is unclear. Improving physiologically relevant models that capture the entire metastatic process and further developing probes to track and monitor the in vivo dynamics of metastatic cell states would help facilitate understanding of the spectrum of metastasis. In patients with cancer, metastatic cells lie dormant or quiescent at the secondary site for weeks, months, or years, only to recoup proliferative ability and develop overt metastases that appear later in clinical progression and/or after primary treatment. The molecular, cellular, and tissue-level mechanisms that contribute to early dissemination, dormancy, and eventual growth of detectable metastatic lesions are not well understood and definitive in vivo measures of early metastasis and metastatic dormancy are needed to continue to propel the field to the next level. Also, it is of high clinical importance that we improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying responses of metastatic cells to cancer therapy, which depend not only on the genetics of the metastatic lesion, but also on the emergent properties of the physical, chemical, and cellular microenvironment of the metastatic site.
Metastasis as a whole-body, systems-level challenge. The cooperation between the host and multiple cellular phenotypes leading to metastasis and supporting metastatic outgrowth makes metastasis research a whole-body, systems-level/physiology challenge. Therefore, undertaking metastasis research using dynamic, holistic systems-level approaches –taking an integrated perspective that considers the whole organism –could generate mechanistic models that encompass dynamic biological scales, and provide opportunities to derive a more comprehensive picture of metastasis. Such approaches incorporating the complexities associated with the dissemination of cancer cells from a primary lesion to establishment and growth at a distal site will help identify common/unique components across cancers and tissues, and identify potential dependencies that may be vulnerable to perturbation or intervention.
Overarching goal of the MetNet: The MetNet Research Centers will continue to serve as hub for the MetNet research program. These Centers will involve multi-investigator teams working in distinct but functionally related areas of metastasis. Each center should use multi-and/or inter-disciplinary approaches drawn from, but not limited to, cancer biology, cell biology, physiology, bioengineering, physics, systems biology, and/or bioinformatics. MetNet Centers must incorporate robust experimental approaches and analytical technologies that bridge multiple molecular, cellular, and organ-level processes towards a systems-level view addressing critical questions related to the non-linear, dynamic and emergent processes of metastasis. MetNet Centers should place emphasis on understanding two or more core components:
The interaction and crosstalk of metastatic cells with the stromal compartment, immune and nervous systems, vasculature, and the physical and soluble micro- or macroenvironments;
The acquisition of, maintenance of, or emergence from metastatic dormancy; and
The response of metastatic cells, including those that are dormant, to therapies and the development of therapeutic resistance.
Through this NOFO, NCI invites applications in which each MetNet Center identifies an overarching theme that serves to integrate the individual center projects towards understanding the interplay and crosstalk between two or more of the bulleted topics above and ensures that the results of the research are greater than the sum of its parts.
Examples of individual research center project topics that could be integrated towards a systems-level understanding of metastasis include, but are not limited to:
Development of clinically relevant experimental and/or in silico models that concurrently address multiple dynamic and plastic steps in the metastatic process, including the role of the macroenvironment (i.e., large-scale and long-term environment and conditions that affect an organism);
Development of tools to identify and track metastatic cells in vivo, including metastatic dormant cells or other micro- or macro- metastatic lesions;
Determination of cell intrinsic and/or microenvironmental factors that facilitate early tumor cell dissemination including microbial components or angiogenic, immunogenic, neurogenic and other stromal cells and structural proteins;
Definition of molecular and phenotypic signatures and organ-specific tumor microenvironments that define the dormant state in various secondary organs or metastatic sites and how those molecules and phenotypes act in concert with the mechanisms underlying metastatic dormancy;
Determination of cell intrinsic, microenvironmental, and/or systemic factors that support maintenance of a dormant state, dynamic phenotypic switching, and/or exit from dormancy;
Mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system during metastatic processes;
Definition of the evolutionary dynamics, selective pressures, and seeding routes promoting the dissemination of rare cancers, such as pediatric cancers.
Determine how metastatic cells develop resistance to therapies;
MetNet Research Center Expertise: This NOFO requires applicants assemble collaborating teams with principal expertise in metastasis. The Center should consist of a research team of investigators with complementary expertise organized around a metastasis research theme, such as those described in the Research Objectives section above. Expertise could involve basic cancer biology, cell biology, engineering, physics, physiology, development or application of novel technologies and approaches to data integration. Consequently, the MetNet Centers will require leadership having the ability to manage and understand the various approaches needed.
Each Center will consist of the following components:
Overall Network organization: The overall network will consist of the centers funded through this initiative, pilot projects initiated in the out years (2nd through 5th years of funding), and individual research projects funded through the MetNet U01 research project NOFO. The MetNet will function as a collaborative network encouraging individual Centers to share resources and data, model systems, cross validate ideas and observations, and integrate data.
Governance of the MetNet: The MetNet Centers will be governed by the MetNet Steering Committee. Details on the composition and functions of the MetNet Steering Committee are provided in Section VI, Terms and Conditions of Cooperative Agreement.
Evaluation of the Program: As the efficiency of the funded research is an important priority for the NIH and NCI, MetNet Centers will be required to participate in an external evaluation process of the MetNet program coordinated by NCI Program staff (see Section VI, Terms and Conditions of Cooperative Agreement.)
The following types of projects are non-responsive for this NOFO, and applications meeting these criteria will not be reviewed:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants uncertain whether their intended project meets the requirements of this NOFO are encouraged to contact the Scientific/Research Contact listed below in Section VII.
See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.
Cooperative Agreement: A financial assistance mechanism used when there will be substantial Federal scientific or programmatic involvement. Substantial involvement means that, after award, NIH scientific or program staff will assist, guide, coordinate, or participate in project activities. See Section VI.2 for additional information about the substantial involvement for this NOFO.
The OER Glossary and the How to Apply - Application Guide provides details on these application types. Only those application types listed here are allowed for this NOFO.
Not Allowed: Only accepting applications that do not propose clinical trials. Note: Applications may propose activities involving human subjects that are not deemed clinical trials.
NCI intends to commit $6.8M in FY 2027 to fund 4 awards.
Application budgets may not exceed $1.3M per year in direct costs.
The maximum project period is 5 years.
NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.
Higher Education Institutions - Includes all types
Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
For-Profit Organizations
Local Governments
Federal Governments
Other
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. See NIH Grants Policy Statement 16.8 Collaborative International Research Awards.
Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.
Applicant organizations
Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the How to Apply- Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as possible. Failure to complete registrations in advance of a due date is not a valid reason for a late submission, please reference NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications for additional information.
Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s))
All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.
All PD(s)/PI(s) must be registered with ORCID. The personal profile associated with the PD(s)/PI(s) eRA Commons account must be linked to a valid ORCID ID. For more information on linking an ORCID ID to an eRA Commons personal profile see the ORCID topic in our eRA Commons online help.
Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support.
For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the How to Apply - Application Guide.
This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1.2- Definitions of Terms.
Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.
The NIH will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time per NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.7.4 Submission of Resubmission Application. This means that the NIH will not accept:
The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST or an institutional system-to-system solution. A button to apply using ASSIST is available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See the administrative office for instructions if planning to use an institutional system-to-system solution.
It is critical that applicants follow the Multi-Project (M) Instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide, except where instructed in this notice of funding opportunity to do otherwise (in this NOFO, in a policy notice, or other notice from NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts) and where instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide are directly related to the Grants.gov downloadable forms currently used with most NIH opportunities. Conformance to the requirements in the How to Apply - Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.
All page limitations described in the How to Apply- Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.
| Component | Component Type for Submission | Page Limit | Required/Optional | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 12 | Required | 1 | 1 |
| Admin Core | Admin Core | 6 | Required | 1 | 1 |
| Shared Resource Core | Core | 6 | Optional | 0 | 2 |
| Research Projects | Project | 12 | Required | 2 | 3 |
The following section supplements the instructions found in How to Apply- Application Guide and should be used for preparing a multi-component application.
When preparing the application, use Component Type 'Overall'.
All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
Complete entire form.
Follow standard instructions.
Follow standard instructions.
Project Summary /Abstract: Succinctly describe the overall research theme of the MetNet Center and how the individual Research Projects contribute to an integrated, systems-level understanding of metastasis.
Project Narrative: State how the outcomes of the MetNet Center will contribute to a more comprehensive picture of metastasis, and the potential impact on public health. A project narrative is only required for the overall component.
Facilities & Other Resources: In addition to the information required in the standard instructions, highlight available facilities and/or services dedicated specifically to metastasis research (e.g., microscopy facilities, comparative medicine cores, etc.). Indicate on what basis these resources will be available to other MetNet investigators (e.g., in-lab, freely available, fee-for-service, etc.).
Enter primary site only.
A summary of Project/Performance Sites in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons compiled from data collected in the other components will be generated upon submission.
Include only the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) and any multi-PDs/PIs (if applicable to this NOFO) for the entire application.
A summary of Senior/Key Persons followed by their Biographical Sketches in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons will be generated upon submission.
The only budget information included in the Overall component is the Estimated Project Funding section of the SF424 (R&R) Cover.
A budget summary in the Overall section of the assembled application image in eRA Commons compiled from detailed budget data collected in the other components will be generated upon submission.
Introduction to Application: For Resubmission and Revision applications, an Introduction to Application is required in the Overall component.
Specific Aims: State the overall vision and goals for the MetNet Center. The Specific Aims should be overarching, at a high level, and distinct from the aims of the individual components. The Specific Aims should identify the themes being addressed and how their successful completion will lead to a more comprehensive picture of the non-linear, dynamic, and emergent processes of metastasis.
Research Strategy: Present a concise overall vision and plan for the proposed MetNet Center. The vision should focus on the plans for the funding period of the Center and how the work will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of metastasis. This section should describe the fundamental question(s) in metastasis research that will be addressed by the Center and how they integrate to form an overall central research theme centered on at least two of the identified elements: 1) the mechanisms of, likelihood, timing, and frequency of early dissemination; 2) interaction and crosstalk of metastatic cells with the stromal, immune and nervous systems, vasculature, and physical micro- or macroenvironment; 3) the acquisition of, maintenance of, or emergence from metastatic dormancy; and 4) the mechanisms of response of metastatic cells, including those that are dormant, to therapies and therapeutic resistance. Items to be addressed include:
Letters of Support: In addition to standard items included in letters of support, applicants must provide letters from the respective leadership official(s) in the lead institution(s) documenting specific institutional commitments to the proposed center.
Resource Sharing Plan:
Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply - Application Guide.
Other Plan(s):
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:
Appendix:
Only limited items are allowed in the Appendix. Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in How to Apply- Application Guide; any instructions provided here are in addition to the How to Apply - Application Guide instructions.
When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply - Application Guide, with the following additional instructions:
If you answered "Yes" to the question "Are Human Subjects Involved?" on the R&R Other Project Information form, there must be at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or a Delayed Onset Study record within the application. The study record(s) must be included in the component(s) where the work is being done, unless the same study spans multiple components. To avoid the creation of duplicate study records, a single study record with sufficient information for all involved components must be included in the Overall component when the same study spans multiple components.
Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information
All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed.
Delayed Onset Study
Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
When preparing your application, use Component Type 'Admin Core.'
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
Complete only the following fields:
Follow standard instructions.
Human Subjects: Answer only the 'Are Human Subjects Involved?' and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations?' questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the 'Are Vertebrate Animals Used?' question.
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
The most commonly referenced Research Plan attachments are listed below for your convenience. NOFO–specific instructions are required for the Specific Aims and the Research Strategy in each component.
Specific Aims: Outline the specific goals of the Administrative Core.
Research Strategy: The Administrative Core is expected to have appropriate and effective administrative and organizational capabilities to: support metastasis research; foster synergy and integration of the Research Center; and support planning and evaluation activities. Applications must describe the structure of the Administrative Core using the following subsections (instead of the standard sub-sections).
In lieu of the standard Research Strategy subsection (Significance, Innovation, Approach) use the sub-sections defined below to present a concise overall vision and plan for the proposed MetNet Center:
Sub-section A.
Center logistics and communication: Describe the strategies for communication across the Research Center leadership (multiple PD(s)/PI(s)) and key Research Center investigators, and between project teams consisting of multidisciplinary investigators. Describe the Center's strategy to work and communicate with the other Centers that will be part of the MetNet, and with the NCI. State who will be the lead for each level of communication. Provide a strategy for integration of new and early-stage investigators into the Research Center structure and environment.
Sub-section B.
Center Pilot Projects: Describe how the Administrative Core will coordinate the solicitation, evaluation, and support of 1-year Center pilot projects in years 2-5. Indicate how pilot projects will be solicited and prioritized to ensure that they address and advance the overall research theme of the Research Center. Outline the evaluation process of the proposed pilot project, including specific details, e.g., what body/panel will review the application, who will be in charge of final project selection and communication to NCI program staff, and how the pilot project progress will be evaluated within the Center. Final approval of pilot project selection will be at the discretion of NCI Program Staff and required to remove any restriction on pilot project fund use. Note: Do NOT propose any pilot projects in the application. However, the description may signal anticipated general directions and/or circumstances when pilot projects may be deemed particularly needed (e.g., the emergence of new knowledge or technology that creates a new opportunity to advance the theme of the Research Center but not covered by the full research projects).
Sub-section C.
External Advisory Committee: Each awarded MetNet Center will recruit external experts (from outside of the Center) who will serve as scientific advisors to the MetNet Center leadership. External Advisory Committee members may be derived from the primary Center institution. Describe the anticipated general composition of the external advisory panel, the range of expertise to be sought, and how the panel might be expected to contribute to the Center's activities. It is important that no potential External Advisory Committee members be contacted or recruited before the review of the application has been completed.
Letters of Support: Include letters of support as appropriate.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply- Application Guide.
Other Plan(s): All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:
Appendix: Only limited items are allowed in the Appendix. Follow all instructions for the How to Apply- Application Guide; any instructions provided here are in addition to those in the How to Apply- Application Guide instructions.
When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply- Application Guide.
If you answered "Yes" to the question "Are Human Subjects Involved?" on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or a Delayed Onset Study record.
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
Delayed Onset Study
Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
When preparing your application, use Component Type 'Core.'
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
Complete only the following fields:
Follow standard instructions.
Human Subjects: Answer only the 'Are Human Subjects Involved?' and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations?' questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the 'Are Vertebrate Animals Used?' question.
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
The Core Lead(s) must each commit and maintain through the life of the award a minimum of 0.6 calendar-months per year of effort. If there are multiple Core Leads, it is not necessary that each commit equal effort to the project.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
The most commonly referenced Research Plan attachments are listed below for your convenience. NOFO–specific instructions are required for the Specific Aims and the Research Strategy in each component.
Specific Aims: Outline the specific goals of the Shared Resource Core, including which projects are supported by the Shared Resource Core, and how the goals will enhance the MetNet Center and metastasis research.
Research Strategy: The Shared Resource Cores may be physical or virtual infrastructures (e.g. imaging, or cloud-based computing or storage) providing a biological, pathological, computational or engineering resource that supports other Center components in their activities. Each Shared Resource Core is expected to support at least two Research Projects and the services and resources provided to other Research Center components should be clearly defined. Issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to:
Any proposed new shared resources must not duplicate analogous resources already established in the applicant institutions. If existing cores and resources are to be used, then funding to augment such existing resources may be requested. Description of how work related to the Center will be prioritized within such a core must be provided.
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply- Application Guide.
Other Plan(s): All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:
Appendix: Only limited items are allowed in the Appendix. Follow all instructions for the How to Apply- Application Guide; any instructions provided here are in addition to those in the How to Apply- Application Guide instructions.
When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply- Application Guide, with the following additional instructions:
If you answered "Yes" to the question "Are Human Subjects Involved?" on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or a Delayed Onset Study record.
Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
Delayed Onset Study
Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
When preparing your application, use Component Type 'Project.'
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.
Complete only the following fields:
Follow standard instructions.
Human Subjects: Answer only the 'Are Human Subjects Involved?' and 'Is the Project Exempt from Federal regulations?' questions.
Vertebrate Animals: Answer only the 'Are Vertebrate Animals Used?' question.
Project Summary/Abstract: Provide an abstract/summary for the proposed Research Project, including how it fits within the research theme of the MetNet Center.
List all performance sites that apply to the specific component.
Note: The Project Performance Site form allows up to 300 sites, prior to using additional attachment for additional entries.
Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package.
Note: The R&R Budget form included in many of the component types allows for up to 100 Senior/Key Persons in section A and 100 Equipment Items in section C prior to using attachments for additional entries. All other SF424 (R&R) instructions apply.
The most commonly referenced Research Plan attachments are listed below for your convenience. NOFO–specific instructions are required for the Specific Aims and the Research Strategy in each component.
Specific Aims: State the specific aims of the Research Project and provide the rationale and a description of how they fit into the overall research theme of the Research Center.
Research Strategy: The Research Projects constitute the most important activities of the Research Center and should focus on robust approaches that consider and integrate the entirety of the system to generate mechanistic models to the metastasis research questions related to the theme of the Research Center.
Applicants should use the standard structure of the Research Strategy section (i.e., sub-sections Significance, Innovation, and Approach).
Within these sub-sections, address the following additional aspects of each project:
Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the How to Apply- Application Guide.
Other Plan(s): All instructions in the How to Apply - Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:
Appendix: Only limited items are allowed in the Appendix. Follow all instructions for the How to Apply- Application Guide; any instructions provided here are in addition to those in the How to Apply- Application Guide instructions.
When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or NIH-defined clinical trials follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the How to Apply- Application Guide, with the following additional instructions:
If you answered "Yes" to the question "Are Human Subjects Involved?" on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or a Delayed Onset Study record.
Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information
All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
Delayed Onset Study
Note: Delayed onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start). All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.
Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations must follow policies described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, and procedures for foreign institutions described throughout the How to Apply - Application Guide.
See Part 2. Section III.1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov
Part I. contains information about Key Dates and times. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday, the application deadline is automatically extended to the next business day.
Organizations must submit applications to Grants.gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies) using ASSIST or other electronic submission systems. Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH's electronic system for grants administration. NIH and Grants.gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission. Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants.gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late. Applications that miss the due date and time are subjected to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.3.9.2 Electronically Submitted Applications.
Applicants are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.
Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in How to Apply- Application Guide.
This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.
All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 7.9.1 Selected Items of Cost.
Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the How to Apply - Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.
For information on how applications will be automatically assembled for review and funding consideration after submission, refer to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ElectronicReceipt/files/Electronic_Multi-project_Application_Image_Assembly.pdf.
Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.
For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit How to Apply - Application Guide. If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII.
Important reminders:
All PD(s)/PI(s) and component Project Leads must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.
The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization's profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in How to Apply - Application Guide.
See more tips for avoiding common errors.
Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by components of participating organizations, NIH. Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.
Recipients or subrecipients must submit any information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. See Mandatory Disclosures, 2 CFR 200.113 and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4.1.35.
Send written disclosures to the NIH Chief Grants Management Officer listed on the Notice of Award for the IC that funded the award and to the HHS Office of Inspector Grant Self Disclosure Program at grantdisclosures@oig.hhs.gov.
Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy.
Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. Applications submitted to NIH in support of the NIH mission are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.
For this particular NOFO, note the following: Reviewers will provide an overall Impact Score for the entire MetNet Center. In addition, reviewers will also provide individual "criterion scores" for the Overall application but not for the other components. All other components of the Center [i.e., Administrative Core, Research Projects, and optional Shared Resource Core] will be evaluated but each will receive only one overall numerical rating. Reviewers will be assigned to evaluate the entire application.
For the evaluation of the MetNet Center application, the Research Projects will be assessed as the scientific basis of each Center with additional components enhancing and integrating the overall research program. The overall Impact Score will reflect the synergy and integration provided by inclusion of each MetNet Center component.
Reviewers will provide an overall impact score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).
Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? Is the prior research that serves as the key support for the proposed project rigorous? If the aims of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?
Specific to this NOFO: How well does the research theme of the proposed Research Center address fundamental questions in metastasis research?
Are the PD(s)/PI(s), collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project? If Early Stage Investigators or those in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project?
Specific to this NOFO: How well does the MetNet Center leadership team have the appropriate breadth and balance of expertise in metastasis? How well do the Research Center Project Leads and other key personnel have the necessary specialized research expertise? How well do the proposed interactions and collaborations between the MetNet Center PD(s)/PI(s), Project Leads, and other key personnel unite the components and advance the science of the Center?
Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?
Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Have the investigators included plans to address weaknesses in the rigor of prior research that serves as the key support for the proposed project? Have the investigators presented strategies to ensure a robust and unbiased approach, as appropriate for the work proposed? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed? Have the investigators presented adequate plans to address relevant biological variables, such as sex, for studies in vertebrate animals or human subjects?
If the project involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, are the plans to address:
1) the protection of human subjects from research risks, and
2) inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion or exclusion of individuals of all ages (including children and older adults), justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?
Specific to this NOFO: How well does the overall research theme of the Research Center integrate perspectives and robust multipronged systems-level approaches that encompass the dynamics and multiple biological scales to derive a more cohesive picture of metastasis? How well does the proposed research approach consider non-linear, dynamic, and emergent processes of metastasis?
Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?
As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact score, but will not give separate scores for these items.
Integration
For research that involves human subjects but does not involve one of the categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate the justification for involvement of human subjects and the proposed protections from research risk relating to their participation according to the following five review criteria: 1) risk to subjects, 2) adequacy of protection against risks, 3) potential benefits to the subjects and others, 4) importance of the knowledge to be gained, and 5) data and safety monitoring for clinical trials.
For research that involves human subjects and meets the criteria for one or more of the categories of research that are exempt under 45 CFR Part 46, the committee will evaluate: 1) the justification for the exemption, 2) human subjects involvement and characteristics, and 3) sources of materials. For additional information on review of the Human Subjects section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Human Subjects.
This NOFO only accepts applications that do not propose clinical trials. Note: Applications may propose activities involving human subjects that are not deemed clinical trials.
When the proposed project involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for inclusion. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Inclusion in Clinical Research.
The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following three points: (1) a complete description of all proposed procedures including the species, strains, ages, sex, and total numbers of animals to be used; (2) justifications that the species is appropriate for the proposed research and why the research goals cannot be accomplished using an alternative non-animal model; and (3) interventions including analgesia, anesthesia, sedation, palliative care, and humane endpoints that will be used to limit any unavoidable discomfort, distress, pain and injury in the conduct of scientifically valuable research. Methods of euthanasia and justification for selected methods, if NOT consistent with the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, is also required but is found in a separate section of the application. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals Section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animals Section.
Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.
For Resubmissions (as applicable), the committee will evaluate the application as now presented, taking into consideration the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group and changes made to the project.
For Renewals (as applicable), the committee will consider the progress made in the last funding period.
For Revisions (as applicable), the committee will consider the appropriateness of the proposed expansion of the scope of the project. If the Revision application relates to a specific line of investigation presented in the original application that was not recommended for approval by the committee, then the committee will consider whether the responses to comments from the previous scientific review group are adequate and whether substantial changes are clearly evident.
As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact score.
Reviewers will assess whether the project presents special opportunities for furthering research programs through the use of unusual talent, resources, populations, or environmental conditions that exist in other countries and either are not readily available in the United States or augment existing U.S. resources.
Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).
Reviewers will comment on whether the Resource Sharing Plan(s) (e.g., Sharing Model Organisms) or the rationale for not sharing the resources, is reasonable.
For projects involving key biological and/or chemical resources, reviewers will comment on the brief plans proposed for identifying and ensuring the validity of those resources.
Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.
Reviewers will consider the following criteria to determine an impact score:
Reviewers will consider the following criteria to determine an impact score:
Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.
Impact Score
Significance
Investigator(s)
Innovation
Approach
Environment
Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s) convened by CSR, in accordance with NIH peer review policies and practices, using the stated review criteria. Assignment to a Scientific Review Group will be shown in the eRA Commons.
As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will receive a written critique.
As part of the scientific peer review, all applications: May undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific and technical merit (generally the top half of applications under review) will be discussed and assigned an overall impact score.
Requests for reconsideration of initial peer review will not be accepted for applications submitted in response to this NOFO.
Applications will be assigned to the National Cancer Institute. Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this NOFO. Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the National Cancer Advisory Council or Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:
If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.5.1. Just-in-Time Procedures. This request is not a Notice of Award nor should it be construed to be an indicator of possible funding.
Prior to making an award, NIH reviews an applicant's federal award history in SAM.gov to ensure sound business practices. An applicant can review and comment on any information in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov. NIH will consider any comments by the applicant in the Responsibility/Qualification records in SAM.gov to ascertain the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and performance record of managing Federal awards per 2 CFR Part 200.206 "Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants." This provision will apply to all NIH grants and cooperative agreements except fellowships.
After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access their Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons. Refer to Part 1 for dates for peer review, advisory council review, and earliest start date.
Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 2.4.4 Disposition of Applications.
A Notice of Award (NoA) is the official authorizing document notifying the applicant that an award has been made and that funds may be requested from the designated HHS payment system or office. The NoA is signed by the Grants Management Officer and emailed to the recipient's business official.
In accepting the award, the recipient agrees that any activities under the award are subject to all provisions currently in effect or implemented during the period of the award, other Department regulations and policies in effect at the time of the award, and applicable statutory provisions.
Recipients must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.6. Funding Restrictions. Any pre-award costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the applicant's own risk. For more information on the Notice of Award, please refer to the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 5. The Notice of Award and NIH Grants & Funding website, see Award Process.
Institutional Review Board or Independent Ethics Committee Approval: Recipient organizations must ensure that protocols are reviewed by their IRB or IEC. To help ensure the safety of participants enrolled in NIH-funded studies, the recipient must provide NIH copies of documents related to all major changes in the status of ongoing protocols.
Recipient-selected pilot projects, including those that involve studies with greater than minimal risk to human subjects, require prior approval by NIH prior to initiation.
The following Federal wide and HHS-specific policy requirements apply to awards funded through NIH:
All federal statutes and regulations relevant to federal financial assistance, including those highlighted in NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 4 Public Policy Requirements, Objectives and Other Appropriation Mandates.
By applying for or accepting federal funds from HHS, recipients certify compliance with all federal antidiscrimination laws and these requirements and that complying with those laws is a material condition of receiving federal funding streams. Recipients are responsible for ensuring subrecipients, contractors, and partners also comply.
Applicants and recipients are strongly encouraged to refer to the NIH Director's Statement of Priorities, entitled "Advancing NIH's Mission Through a Unified Strategy."
Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations. Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.340, by accepting an NIH award, the recipient agrees that continued funding for the award is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds, recipient satisfactory performance, compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the award, and may also otherwise be terminated, to the extent authorized by law, if the agency determines that the award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities, in line with 2 CFR 200.340(a)(4).
Pursuant to the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, Div. N, § 405, Pub. Law 114-113, 6 USC § 1533(d), the HHS Secretary has established a common set of voluntary, consensus-based, and industry-led guidelines, best practices, methodologies, procedures, and processes.
Successful recipients under this NOFO agree that:
When recipients, subrecipients, or third-party entities have:
Cybersecurity plans and procedures must at minimum include the following:
All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate; racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety. If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.
For applications involving substance abuse, the application must not support harm reduction. Please see Updated Funding Guidance for Recipients on Supplies and Services.
For applications involving funding Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) or medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), this funding should be used to provide comprehensive treatment and recovery support services rather than medication-only models for opioid use disorder. Services should include medications, where clinically indicated, in conjunction with psychosocial and other treatment and recovery support services. Funding can also be used to support individualized tapering and discontinuation of medications when clinically indicated. Please see Updated Funding Guidance for Recipients on MAT/MOUD.
As of October 1, 2025, HHS has adopted 2 CFR Part 200, with some modifications included in 2 CFR Part 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR Part 75. However, for NIH, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2026, (P.L. 119-75, Division B, Title II, Sec. 224), the provisions relating to indirect costs in 45 CFR 75 continue to apply to NIH awards. Consistent with the statute, NIH will not apply updated thresholds outlined within 2 CFR Part 200, at this time.
The following special terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) administrative guidelines, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant administration regulations at 2 CFR Part 200, and other HHS, PHS, and NIH grant administration policies.
The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will be the cooperative agreement, an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism), in which substantial NIH programmatic involvement with the recipients is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under the cooperative agreement, the NIH purpose is to support and stimulate the recipients' activities by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the recipients in a partnership role; it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activities. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility resides with the recipients for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities may be shared among the recipients and NIH as defined below.
The PD(s)/PI(s) will have the primary responsibility for:
Recipients will retain custody of and have primary rights to the data and software developed under these awards, subject to Government rights of access consistent with current HHS, PHS, and NIH policies.
NIH staff have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards, as described below:
Areas of Joint Responsibility include:
The MetNet will have a Steering Committee as a governing body. The MetNet Steering Committee will consist of:
Each member of the Steering Committee will have one vote. NCI Project Scientists have one combined vote. Additional NIH/NCI program staff and other government staff may participate in MetNet Steering Committee meetings as non-voting members. The structure is designed to allow awarded investigators and NCI staff to work together to facilitate trans-MetNet activities based on synergistic expertise and projects.
When needed, two PD(s)/PI(s) - one representing the U54 Centers and one representing the U01 research projects will co-chair the Steering Committee . All MetNet Steering Committee decisions and recommendations that require voting will be based on a majority vote.
The Steering Committee may have additional non-voting members.
The MetNet Steering Committee will meet monthly and at the MetNet Annual Investigator Meeting as needed.
The MetNet Steering Committee will:
Dispute Resolution:
Any disagreements that may arise in scientific or programmatic matters (within the scope of the award) between recipients and NIH may be brought to Dispute Resolution. A Dispute Resolution Panel composed of three members will be convened: a designee of the Steering Committee chosen without NIH staff voting, one NIH designee, and a third designee with expertise in the relevant area who is chosen by the other two; in the case of individual disagreement, the first member may be chosen by the individual recipient. This special dispute resolution procedure does not alter the recipient's right to appeal an adverse action that is otherwise appealable in accordance with PHS regulation 42 CFR Part 50, Subpart D and HHS regulation 45 CFR Part 16.
A Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) is required for any NIH-funded or conducted research that will generate scientific data. Applicants must submit the DMS Plan at the time of application using the NIH DMS Plan Format Page. The DMS Plan must address the elements in the structured format. Where the DMS Plan Format Page requires a "Yes or No" response, no additional narrative is allowed. The Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan must be provided in the Overall component.
A final RPPR, invention statement, and the expenditure data portion of the Federal Financial Report are required for closeout of an award, as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.6 Closeout. NIH NOFOs outline intended research goals and objectives. Post award, NIH will review and measure performance based on the details and outcomes that are shared within the RPPR, as described at 2 CFR Part 200.301.
We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.
eRA Service Desk - Questions regarding ASSIST, eRA Commons, application errors and warnings, documenting system problems that threaten submission by the due date, and post-submission issues.
Grants.gov Support Center - Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and services (e.g., Workspace, subscriptions).
MetNet Research Program
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6206
Email: NCIMetNet@mail.nih.gov
Center for Scientific Review (CSR)
Email: NOFOReviewContact@csr.nih.gov
Office of Grants Administration
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6291
Email: NCIFinancialContact@nih.gov
Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.