Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Mechanisms of Fusion-Driven Oncogenesis in Childhood Cancers (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Key Dates

None

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to support a new initiative, the Targeting Fusion Oncoproteins in Childhood Cancers (TFCC) Network, for the purpose of identifying and developing novel treatment strategies for childhood cancer fusion oncoproteins. The TFCC will have two components: (1) UM1 Next Generation Chemistry Centers (NGC) for Fusion Oncoproteins, which will focus on combining innovative chemical biology technologies and chemoproteomic approaches to target fusion-driven cancers; and (2) U01 research projects focused on molecular mechanisms by which fusion oncoproteins drive pediatric cancers with the goals of identifying potential drug targets and understanding their mechanistic underpinnings on disease formation.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to establish meaningful collaborations for U01 research projects and develop a responsive grant application.

The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2023 with an expected application due date in late Fall 2023. Details of a planned pre-application webinar will be announced after the publication of the NOFO.

To find out more about the program, potential applicants are encouraged to view the presentation on establishing a “Targeting Fusion Oncoproteins in Childhood Cancers Network” at the NIH Videocast Past Events (https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=49366) beginning at 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 40 seconds into the meeting. The slides included in the presentation are downloadable at https://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/bsa/0323/Smith.pdf.

This Notice encourages investigators with expertise and insights into fusion oncoproteins to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations focusing on fusion oncoproteins that combine expertise in pediatric oncology, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and systems biology are encouraged and these investigators should consider applying for this application.

U01 applications should focus on the molecular mechanisms by which fusion oncoproteins drive pediatric cancers with the goal of identifying critical vulnerabilities or potential drug targets. Applications must focus on fusion oncoproteins found in tumors that have a high risk of treatment failure and for which there has been little progress in identifying targeted agents. As such, applications focusing on fusion oncoprotein targets for which clinical proof of concept has been achieved are excluded from eligibility. Applications focused on pediatric solid tumors and brain tumors are encouraged.

Funding Information

Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
Private Institution of Higher Education
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)
Small Business
For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)
State Government
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)
County governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
U.S. Territory or Possession
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
Regional Organization
Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government

Applications are not being solicited at this time. 

Inquiries

Keren Witkin, Ph.D.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Division of Cancer Biology 
Telephone: 240-276-6250
Email: witkinkeren@mail.nih.gov
 

Malcolm Smith, M.D., Ph.D.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
Telephone: 240-441-7623
Email: Malcolm.Smith@nih.gov