July 6, 2022
PAR-21-341 - Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
The purpose of this Notice is to inform the applicant community of changes to the Scientific Research Objectives in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) PAR-21-341– Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional).
The following sections of PAR-21-341 have been amended.
Part 1. Overview Information, Funding Opportunity Purpose
Currently Reads:
Through this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages the submission of exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) applications that focus on different aspects of cancer control by modifying behavior, screening, and understanding etiologic factors contributing to the development of cancer, and developing ways to control cancer. The overarching goal is to provide support to promote the early and conceptual stages of research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance population-based cancer research, such as the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of cancer research (e.g. epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, health care delivery or clinical).
Revised to Read (in bold italics):
Through this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages the submission of exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) applications that focus on different aspects of cancer control by modifying behavior, screening, and understanding etiologic factors contributing to the development of cancer, and developing ways to control cancer. The overarching goal is to provide support to promote the early and conceptual stages of research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance population-based cancer research, such as the development of novel techniques, agents, interventions, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of cancer research (e.g. epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, health care delivery or clinical).
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description, Purpose
Currently Reads:
Through this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages the submission of exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) applications, which can be completed in 2 years, that focus on different aspects of cancer control by modifying behavior, screening, and understanding etiologic factors contributing to the development of cancer, and developing ways to control cancer. The overarching goal is to provide support to promote the early and conceptual stages of research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance population-based cancer research, such as the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of cancer research (e.g. epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, health care delivery or clinical).
Revised to Read (in bold italics):
Through this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages the submission of exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) applications, which can be completed in 2 years, that focus on different aspects of cancer control by modifying behavior, screening, and understanding etiologic factors contributing to the development of cancer, and developing ways to control cancer. The overarching goal is to provide support to promote the early and conceptual stages of research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance population-based cancer research, such as the development of novel techniques, agents, interventions, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of cancer research (e.g. epidemiologic, biomedical, behavioral, health care delivery or clinical).
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description, Scientific Research Objectives
Currently Reads:
Behavioral research addresses key psychosocial and behavioral targets across the cancer control continuum, from prevention to end-of-life care. Priorities include basic behavioral and psychosocial science, interventions in cancer control areas such as tobacco use, diet, and energy balance, sun protection, and processes and effects of communication and informatics. Research topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Identifying, assessing, and/or testing the effects of engaging novel interventional targets related to cancer-related risk behaviors based on basic behavioral science research;
- Examining the design, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral studies delivered by connected health technologies (e.g., wearables, sensors, telemedicine, patient portals, mobile health);
- Evaluating multilevel communication processes among individuals and in public health practice, community settings, clinics, and health care systems to advance and improve cancer prevention and control;
- Integration of patient-level cognitive measurements across multiple studies of cancer-related cognitive impairments; and
- Development of new methods or tools to assess the contribution of interoception to behaviors that influence cancer risk.
Revised to Read (in bold italics):
Behavioral research addresses key psychosocial and behavioral targets across the cancer control continuum, from prevention to end-of-life care. Priorities include basic behavioral and psychosocial science, interventions in cancer control areas such as tobacco use, diet, and energy balance, sun protection, and processes and effects of communication and informatics. Research topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Identifying, assessing, and/or testing the effects of engaging novel interventional targets related to cancer-related risk behaviors based on basic behavioral science research;
- Designing early phase formative and experimental studies that identify treatment targets, define and refine interventional components, and describe optimal intervention characteristics (e.g., dosage, frequency, duration, and mode of delivery). The use of new frameworks for developing behavioral interventions based on basic behavioral research - such as the Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBIT) model for developing behavioral treatments for chronic diseases - are especially useful for providing a phased, systematic approach to developing innovative, new behavioral interventions for cancer-related behavioral risk factors.
- Multilevel interventions addressing complex health behaviors and the social determinants of health to advanced cancer care and reduce health disparities;
- Examining the design, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral studies delivered by connected health technologies (e.g., wearables, sensors, telemedicine, patient portals, mobile health);
- Evaluating multilevel communication processes among individuals and in public health practice, community settings, clinics, and health care systems to advance and improve cancer prevention and control;
- Integration of patient-level cognitive measurements across multiple studies of cancer-related cognitive impairments; and
- Development of new methods or tools to assess the contribution of interoception to behaviors that influence cancer risk.
All other aspects of this FOA remain unchanged.
Mukesh Verma, Ph.D.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6889
Email: vermam@mail.nih.gov
Tanya Agurs-Collins, Ph.D., R.D.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6956
Email: collinsta@mail.nih.gov
and Human Services (HHS)
