Part 1. Overview Information

Key Dates

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.

No late applications will be accepted for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

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.

1. Use the NIH ASSIST system to prepare, submit and track your application online.
2. Use an institutional system-to-system (S2S) solution to prepare and submit your application to Grants.gov and eRA Commons to track your application. Check with your institutional officials regarding availability.
   
   



Table of Contents
Part 1. Overview Information
Key Dates
Part 2. Full Text of Announcement
Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Notice of Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose

This is a limited competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and only the current recipients or subrecipients, (including second-tier subrecipients), with a substantial role in the existing Network Group Operations Center infrastructure supported under RFA-CA-17-056 are eligible to apply. This NOFO is one of six NOFOs that support the comprehensive effort by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to provide the infrastructure for the conduct of national clinical trials through the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). The primary goal of the NCTN is the conduct of multi-center, late-phase, clinical treatment trials (i.e., randomized phase 2 and phase 3 trials) and advanced imaging trials across a broad range of cancers, modalities, and diverse patient populations as part of the NCI's overall clinical research program for adults, adolescents and young adults, and children with cancer. The NCTN also conducts, as necessary, preliminary studies needed for development of definitive trials, especially umbrella/basket trials and rare tumor trials, when an extensive, national patient catchment area is required.

The NCTN Program supports the following clinical trials infrastructure components through individual awards made under the respective NOFOs indicated below:

NCTN - Network Group Operations Centers under RFA-CA-24-030 (U10) - this NOFO

NCTN - Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers under RFA-CA-24-031 (U10)

NCTN - Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network under RFA-CA-24-032 (U10)

NCTN - Network Lead Academic Participating Sites under RFA-CA-24-033 (UG1)

NCTN - Network Radiotherapy & Imaging Core Services Center under RFA-CA-24-034 (U24

NCTN - Network Group Integrated Translational Science Centers under RFA-CA-24-035 (UG1)

Through this NOFO, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits applications from institutions/organizations that propose to maintain a Network Group Operations Center for the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). The NCTN Network Group Operations Centers will provide scientific leadership for developing and implementing multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional trials in a range of cancer types and special populations with specific scientific strategy and goals.

Background

The NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) was established for the conduct of large-scale, national, oncology treatment and advanced imaging clinical trials in an era of precision medicine.

Recent advances in deciphering the cancer genome, along with the emergence of successful targeted agents, immunotherapies, and cellular therapies, have fundamentally changed our approach to cancer treatment and have introduced new challenges to performing clinical trials. Due to the low incidence of certain molecular abnormalities, the development of targeted therapies often requires an infrastructure for the conduct of clinical trials that can screen large numbers of patients with the same or different cancer type to identify those patients whose tumors contain the distinct molecular targets of the therapies being tested. Immunotherapeutic approaches also present a similar challenge in that not all tumor types respond to this approach, and selecting the cancer types most likely to respond is critical for success.

The NCTN's integrated and collaborative network infrastructure has allowed the Program to meet the challenges of evaluating emerging therapies within its broad investigator base drawn from NCI-designated Cancer Centers, the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), Minority/Underserved NCORPs, and other academic and community hospitals and private practitioners across the U.S. and internationally. The primary focus of the NCTN is the conduct of multi-center, late-phase, clinical treatment trials (i.e., randomized phase 2 and phase 3 trials) and investigation of new advanced imaging techniques; however, appropriate preliminary studies needed for development of potential definitive trials, especially umbrella/basket trials and rare tumor trials oriented to discovery, are also conducted when an extensive, national patient catchment area is required. With its state-of-the-art clinical trials infrastructure, the NCTN can implement and completes trials rapidly. The NCTN has streamlined trial registration, data management, and tumor banking processes. It has a Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) to provide online access to all necessary study materials and a Central Institutional Review Board (CIRB) to make ethics review easier and less redundant across the country. The NCTN also has appeal for industry partners such as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that collaborate on NCTN trials, including precision medicine trials harnessing next generation DNA and RNA sequencing methods to inform treatment choices. NCTN's resources are ideal for screening large numbers of patients to identify patients whose tumors exhibit the molecular features that may be responsive to new, targeted treatments and/or immunotherapy approaches. In addition, biospecimens collected from patients on NCTN trials are available to help determine the underlying biological reasons for response and resistance to therapy.

The NCTN also promotes the evaluation of multi-modality treatments, including surgery and radiotherapy in combination with novel agents, and has a commitment to the conduct of trials in special populations (e.g., children, adolescents, young adults, and underserved populations) as well as in rare tumor types. This focus allows the NCTN Program to complement, rather than duplicate, research conducted by the private sector. Annual accrual to NCTN trials has remained in the 17,500 to 22,000 patient range in mostly large phase 2 and phase 3 trials, but with a larger number of patients screened on study to determine whether they might benefit from the therapy under evaluation.

Each of the key components of the NCTN Program is described briefly below.

• Network Group Operations Centers: The Operations Centers provide scientific leadership for developing and implementing multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional trials in a range of diseases and special populations with specific scientific strategy and goals. The Operations Centers' scientific goals may include strategic innovation in advanced technology for specific research areas (e.g., advanced imaging methods/agents, radiotherapy) and the testing of innovative concepts and tools in prospective, multi-institutional clinical trials. Operations Centers are responsible for trial operations including timely protocol development and management, compliance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) regulatory and patient protection requirements, audits, training, quality assurance, and site support. The Operations Centers are expected to be closely integrated with their corresponding Statistics and Data Management Center in all aspects of trial operations through jointly developed policies and procedures for clinical trial development and conduct. The Operations Centers are also responsible for Network Group administration, including financial management, monitoring of member institution/site performance, coordination of biospecimen collection from patients on clinical trials, and adherence to all applicable NIH/NCI policies and regulations. Network Group Operations Centers may also provide trial operations for NCI Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (NCI/DCTD, approved, multi-center phase 2 and phase 3 trials originating outside the Network Groups in special situations.
• Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers: These Centers are responsible for providing the statistical expertise required to ensure effective scientific design and conduct of clinical trials as well as leadership in innovation in statistical methodology. These Centers are also responsible for data management, data analysis, and statistical analysis for NCTN trials led by their affiliated Network Group Operations Center as well as for translational and other ancillary studies associated with the trials.
• Network Group Integrated Translational Science Centers - These awards provide support for leadership and expertise to facilitate incorporating translational science into Network Group clinical trials.
• Network Lead Academic Participating Sites: These academic institutions/sites provide scientific leadership in development and conduct of clinical trials in association with one or more adult U.S. Network Groups as well as substantial accrual to clinical trials conducted across the entire NCTN.
• Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Center: This institution/organization provides scientific and technical expertise for incorporation of appropriate, integrated quality assurance/control and image data management for applicable clinical trials conducted by the NCTN that require specialized quality assurance/control or imaging data management and/or assessment for radiotherapy and imaging interventions. In addition, the Center may also provide similar services for other approved NCI-supported clinical trials network programs (e.g., NCI/DCTD/CTEP early phase clinical trial network program and the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention (NCI/DCP) NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP).
• Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network: This Canadian organization is a non-profit clinical trials organization capable of being a full partner with the U.S. Network in the conduct of large-scale, multi-site clinical trials that have relevance for U.S. cancer patient populations. Incorporation of a Canadian Clinical Trials Network as a collaborating partner brings an additional advantage as U.S. Network Groups are anticipated to have Canadian member sites. A Canadian network can help reduce duplicative regulatory staff at U.S. NCTN Group Operations Centers.

Interactions with Other NCI-supported Programs. In addition to the six key components of the NCTN that are described above that are directly funded by the NCTN Program, other NCI grant and contract-supported Programs and their awardees as well as NCI Advisory Committees have important supporting roles in carrying out the research objectives of the NCTN Program. Thus, the NCTN awardees are expected to interact as appropriate with such entities/programs as the NCI Clinical Trials Tumor Banks, the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and Minority/Underserved NCORPs, the NCI Cancer Trials Support Unit, the pediatric and adult NCI Central Institutional Review Boards, and NCI Advisory and Scientific Committees, including the NCI Scientific Steering Committees.

Main Research Objectives and Requirements of this NOFO

Main Components of Network Group Operations Center Applications

1. Administrative Core

The Administrative Core is the principal component for the organizational, administrative, and scientific management of the Network Group Operations Center. The Administrative Core provides leadership, oversight, and coordination/integration between the Clinical Trials Development and Member Site Core for the NCTN Group Operations Center as well as supporting the Center's participation in the collective management of the NCTN Program and other significant collaborations.

2. Clinical Trials Development Core

This functional component provides expertise and operational efficiency for clinical trial development and conduct for NCTN trials that the Network Group Operations Center leads.

3. Member Site Core

This functional component provides robust accrual to NCTN trials by the applicant's member institutions/sites, including trials led by the applicant and those led by other NCTN Network Group Operations Centers. This component also provides oversight of the performance of member institutions/sites with respect to both accrual and trial conduct.

See Section VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations.

Investigators proposing NIH-defined clinical trials may refer to the Research Methods Resources website for information about developing statistical methods and study designs.

Section II. Award Information

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made from this NOFO.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

• Only the current award recipients under RFA-CA-17-056 are eligible to submit applications in response to this NOFO.

Federal Governments

• Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
• U.S. Territory or Possession

Other

• Independent School Districts
• Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
• Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
• Regional Organizations

Only the current recipients or subrecipients, (including second-tier subrecipients), with a substantial role in the existing Network Group Operations Center infrastructure supported under RFA-CA-17-056 are eligible to apply. Substantial role may be defined as employing one or more of the existing multiple PD/PIs, receiving a substantial (25% or more) amount of the current award or employing a significant number of the staff required to support the existing infrastructure. An organization applying for an NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Group Operations Center award cannot apply for a Network Statistics and Data Management Center under this NOFO for the same project period.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organization) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. 

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.

• System for Award Management (SAM) – Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code.
  • NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code – Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM.
  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) - A UEI is issued as part of the SAM.gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application.
• eRA Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants.gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application.
• Grants.gov – Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Grants.gov registration.

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.

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. Individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. See, Reminder: Notice of NIH's Encouragement of Applications Supporting Individuals from Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Groups as well as Individuals with Disabilities, NOT-OD-22-019. 

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.

An individual who is designated as a PD/PI on the application for this NOFO, NCTN Network Group Operations Center, must not be designated as a PD/PI on an application for any of the NCTN key components listed below:

• Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers (RFA-CA-24-031)
• Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network  (RFA-CA-24-032)
• Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (RFA-CA-24-033)
• Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Centers (RFA-CA-24-034) and
• Network Group Integrated Translational Science Centers (RFA-CA-24-035).

However, an individual who is designated as a PD/PI on the application for the NCTN Network Group Operations Center can, if appropriate, be listed as key personnel on the application for the associated Network Group Statistics and Data Management Center (RFA-CA-24-031) and/or on an application for the Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Centers (RFA-CA-24-034), but not on applications for the other RFAs listed above or on applications for other NCTN Network Group Operations Centers.

2. Cost Sharing

This NOFO does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 1.2- Definitions of Terms.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility

Number of Applications

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:

• A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission (A1) application.
• A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application.
• An application that has substantial overlap with another application pending appeal of initial peer review (see NIH Grants Policy Statement 2.3.9.4 Similar, Essentially Identical, or Identical Applications).

Each organization may submit only 1 application in response to this NOFO.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

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.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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 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.

Letter of Intent

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

By the date listed in Part 1. Overview Information, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

• Descriptive title of proposed activity
• Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
• Names of other key personnel
• Participating institution(s)
• Number and title of this funding opportunity

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Margaret Mooney, M.D.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6006
Email: [email protected]
 

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the How to Apply- Application Guide and the Table of Page Limits must be followed.

Instructions for the Submission of Multi-Component Applications

The following section supplements the instructions found in How to Apply- Application Guide and should be used for preparing a multi-component application.

Overall Component

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.

SF424(R&R) Cover (Overall)

Complete entire form.

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Overall)

Note: Human Embryonic Stem Cell lines from other components should be repeated in cell line table in Overall component.

Research & Related Other Project Information (Overall)

Follow standard instructions.

Project/Performance Site Locations (Overall)

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.

Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Overall)

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.

Budget (Overall)

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.

PHS 398 Research Plan (Overall)

Specific Aims: Describe succinctly the specific objectives and goals of the Network Group Operations Center (OPS CENTER) as a whole, including the impact that the OPS CENTER will have in advancing oncology care through the development and conduct of clinical treatment trials (and primary imaging trials, if applicable).

Research Strategy: Organize the Overall Research Strategy section with sub-sections in the specified order and using the instructions provided below. Start each sub-section with the appropriate sub-section heading: Sub-section A. Overall Significance; Sub-section B. Overall Innovation; Sub-section C. Overall Approach; and Sub-section D. Overall Progress Report.

Sub-section A. Overall Significance: Explain the importance of the OPS CENTER's goals, including the overarching problems or critical barriers to developing scientifically important and relevant trials and ensuring the appropriate enrollment of patients across a broad range of cancers (including rare cancers) and in special populations (including minority and underserved populations and for adolescents and young adults). Define the overall research directions for the development of clinical trials in specific disease areas and patient populations. In particular, the applicant team must identify the diseases that the proposed Operations Center will pursue in its research and outline how its particular research agenda will benefit the NCTN Program as a whole. Explain how the OPS CENTER as a whole will improve scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice in clinical trial design and conduct. Also, explain how the OPS CENTER incorporates and improves the use of NCTN tools in the conduct of clinical trials and how it participates in the collective management of the NCTN Program and collaborations with other NCTN Groups and NCI-sponsored programs.

Sub-section B. Overall Innovation: Explain how the OPS CENTER seeks to shift current clinical trial development and conduct given its overall research strategy. Describe any novel (or refinements/improvements) in concepts, approaches, or methodologies that are being developed or used and any advantage that may have over existing methodologies with respect to the development, design, and conduct of clinical trials. Explain how the OPS CENTER incorporates appropriate translational science (including integral and integrated biomarkers) into its clinical trials.

Sub-section C. Overall Approach: Describe the overall strategy and methodology to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the OPS CENTER and its research agenda. Describe how the OPS CENTER will achieve robust accrual by its members not only for the NCTN trials that it leads but also for trials led by other U.S. Network Groups and the Canadian Clinical Trials Collaborating Clinical Trials Network. Describe how the OPS CENTER involves a broad range of investigators, patient advocates, and other members of the oncology community in the design, conduct, and monitoring of clinical trials. Explain how the OPS CENTER mentors new/junior investigators in clinical research within the NCTN.

Sub-section D. Overall Progress Report: This Progress Report should cover the period of March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024 and should include a summary of the most significant achievements of the OPS CENTER in terms of support for clinical trials designed and activated over this period as well as patient enrollment by its members to trials (both trials led by the OPS CENTER and trials led by other Network Groups). This Progress Report should also include how the OPS CENTER has integrated and centralized functions to form an efficient operational organization for the NCTN. This Progress Report should highlight the OPS CENTER's major contributions to the collective management of the NCTN Program and significant collaborations with other NCTN Groups and other NCI-sponsored programs.

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:

• All applicants planning research (funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH) that results in the generation of scientific data are required to comply with the instructions for the Data Management and Sharing Plan. All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, must address a Data Management and Sharing Plan.
• Data Management and Sharing Plan must be provided in the Overall component only.

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.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information (Overall)

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.

PHS Assignment Request Form (Overall)

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed.

Administrative Core

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. 

SF424 (R&R) Cover (Administrative Core)

Complete only the following fields:

• Applicant Information
• Type of Applicant (optional)
• Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
• Proposed Project Start/Ending Dates

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Administrative Core)

Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.

Research & Related Other Project Information (Administrative Core)

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 Narrative: Do not complete. Note: ASSIST screens will show an asterisk for this attachment indicating it is required. However, eRA systems only enforce this requirement in the Overall component and applications will not receive an error if omitted in other components.

Other Attachments: Applicants must provide the following additional materials specified below for the Administrative Core. Each attachment should be uploaded as a separate PDF using the indicated filenames (which will serve as application bookmarks).

Attachment 1. Auditing Policy (use filename AdminCoreAuditing).

In this attachment, provide documentation of the auditing policy for the OPS CENTER for NCTN trials, including how patient cases are selected for auditing and how data is validated at site and in associated clinical trial databases.

Attachment 2. Conflict of Interest Policy (use filename AdminCoreCOI).

In this attachment, provide documentation of the Conflict of Interest Policy used by the OPS CENTER to ensure that staff working on the design, monitoring, and analysis of specific trials do not have any conflicts of interest with respect to the trials. In this attachment, the OPS CENTER should also describe the policies it has in place to ensure that outcome data for appropriate trials is guarded/blinded from other investigators on the study team (e.g., clinical investigators/study PIs) prior to the study's final analysis to avoid investigator bias in oversight/conduct of the trial.

Attachment 3. Data Safety and Monitoring Board Members (use filename AdminCoreDSMB).

In this attachment, provide documentation of the full members (i.e., voting members) on the Network Group Data Safety and Monitoring Board that oversees randomized phase 2 NCTN clinical trials and all phase 3 trials NCTN as of August 31, 2024. The major background of each member should be designated briefly as well (e.g., physician clinician, statistician, patient advocate).

Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Administrative Core)

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.

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Administrative Core)

• In the Project Director/Principal Investigator section of the form, use Project Role of ‘Other’ with Category of ‘Project Lead’ and provide a valid eRA Commons ID in the Credential field.
• In the additional Senior/Key Profiles section, list Senior/Key persons that are working in the component.
• Include a single Biographical Sketch for each Senior/Key person listed in the application regardless of the number of components in which they participate. When a Senior/Key person is listed in multiple components, the Biographical Sketch can be included in any one component.
• If more than 100 Senior/Key persons are included in a component, the Additional Senior Key Person attachments should be used.

Budget (Administrative Core)

Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package. The following additional instructions apply to the Administrative Core for this NOFO.

Please Note: The total budget for the OPS CENTER should be appropriate to support a reasonable level of total patient accrual (i.e., patient enrollment numbers by types of accrual) anticipated using the prior funding period as a guide. However, in the budget narrative of the Administrative Core, the applicant can explain how the level of non-capitation infrastructure support required across the various Cores is modified by the complexity of the trials being supported in addition to the number of patient enrollments by accrual type (e.g., a higher level of infrastructure support may be needed for more complex trials).

Funds for tumor banks, correlative science research, and/or reference laboratories are not supported under the NCTN Program and should not be included in the application. Funding for integral and integrated laboratory and/or biomarker studies for NCTN trials can be covered by BIQSFP applications as well as through other sources of funding (e.g., R01/P01 grants, industry and charitable support), and potentially through administrative supplements for specific trials under the NCTN Cooperative Agreement.

Also, the NCI does not support costs associated with routine patient care as a budget expense under this NOFO.

a) PD/PI Effort Commitment. The minimal effort commitment for the Contact PI/PD must be 1.8 person-months per year. The effort commitment for the other PDs/PIs (if multiple) must be a minimum of 1.8 person-months per year. These effort commitments cannot be reduced in later years of the award.

b) Travel Expenses. Applicants must budget travel funds for two persons (two PDs/PIs or one PD/PI and an additional senior investigator) to attend one NCTN Leadership Management Committee in-person meeting per year or other NCTN-affiliated meeting in additional to other travel expenses. Applicants should also budget travel funds for one to two persons to attend an annual in-person meeting on special NCTN initiatives.

c) Alterations/Renovations: Costs for alterations and renovations are not allowable under the NCTN Program.

d) Other Expenses. Applicants must include in the budget appropriate expenses to cover support for the Data Safety Monitoring Board activities and auditing activities.

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.

PHS 398 Research Plan (Administrative Core)

Specific Aims: State concisely the goals of the Administrative Core of the OPS CENTER in terms of providing leadership, oversight, and coordination/integration between the Clinical Trials Development and Member Site Core for the NCTN as well as its role in contributing to the collective management of the NCTN Program and supporting/coordinating significant collaborations.

Research Strategy: Organize the Administrative Core Research Strategy section with sub-sections in the specified order and using the instructions provided below. Start each sub-section with the appropriate sub-section heading: Sub-section A. Administrative Core Organizational Leadership and Structure and Sub-section B. Administrative Core Collective Management & Collaborative Research.

Sub-section A. Administrative Core Organizational Leadership and Structure: Describe the senior administrative leadership team (including the Director of Operations position and function for the Group) and the organizational structure of the OPS CENTER and its key governance policies. The applicant should also provide a diagram illustrating the organizational structure of the OPS CENTER. Explain how the OPS CENTER sets priorities for development of clinical trials for the NCTN. Describe how the OPS CENTER provides oversight and coordination of trial development, patient accrual, trial conduct, and on-site auditing for NCTN trials. Describe the chain of responsibility for decision making and conflict resolution at the OPS CENTER as well as how the OPS CENTER addresses succession planning for senior leadership positions. Describe how administrative functions are centralized for efficiency, particularly with respect to providing agreements and distribution of capitation funding to member sites through one central office.

• Sub-section B. Administrative Core Collective Management & Collaborative Research: Explain how the OPS CENTER contributes to the collective management of the NCTN Program through examples of participation in the NCI Scientific Steering Committees (SSC) and associated Task Forces and Working Groups, NCTN Core Correlative Sciences Committee, the NCI CIRBs, the NCTN Central Auditing Project, NCTN General Auditing and Risk-based Central Monitoring, the NCTN Data Quality Portal Projects, and other NCTN initiatives such as the NCTN Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) Working Group and NCI NCTN Precision Medicine Trial Working Groups. Describe the OPS CENTER's current collaborations and future plans for collaborations with other NCTN Network Groups on clinical trials, including AYA trials, as well as other aspects of trial design and trial conduct. Describe how the OPS CENTER provides co-PI(s) and/or Champions (i.e., study liaisons for accrual and trial monitoring and conduct) from its Group for trials led by other NCTN Network Groups, particularly late-phase trials (i.e., phase 2/3 and phase 3 trials).

Data Safety Monitoring Plans: Data Safety Monitoring Plans (including a Data Safety Monitoring plan/policy for early phase trials and a Data Safety and Monitoring Board plan/policy for all randomized phase 2 trials and all phase 3 trials) are required for this NOFO. If an adult Network Group OPS CENTER leads adolescent and young adult (AYA) trials, the plans should explain how oversight is provided for that population (e.g., having a physician member on the DSMB with expertise in the AYA oncology patient population). Reviewers will comment on whether the plans/policies are reasonable. Although these plans are required in the application; prior to funding of an award, all plans will also need to be reviewed and approved by NCI/DCTD program staff prior to any award being made to ensure that the plans are in compliance with the NIH/NCI regulations and Terms of Award for this key component of the NCTN Program.

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.

NOTE: The Data Management and Sharing Plan as applicable to this section should be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in the Overall component above.

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.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information (Administrative Core)

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.

Clinical Trials Development Core

When preparing your application, use Component Type ‘Clinical Trials Core.’

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted.

SF424 (R&R) Cover (Clinical Trials Development)

Complete only the following fields:

• Applicant Information
• Type of Applicant (optional)
• Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
• Proposed Project Start/Ending Dates

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Clinical Trials Development Core)

Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.

Research & Related Other Project Information (Clinical Trials Development Core)

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 Narrative: Do not complete. Note: ASSIST screens will show an asterisk for this attachment indicating it is required. However, eRA systems only enforce this requirement in the Overall component and applications will not receive an error if omitted in other components.

Other Attachments: Applicants must provide the following additional materials specified below for the Clinical Trials Development Core should be uploaded as a separate PDF using the indicated filenames (which will serve as application bookmarks).

Attachment 1. Summary of Key Leadership Staffing for OPS CENTER (use filename KeyLeadershipStaff). In this attachment, provide information on the current leadership positions in the OPS CENTER held by investigators with their institutional affiliation as of the date that this attachment was prepared for inclusion in the application. These leadership positions should include Executive and Oversight Committees (all members should be listed); Data Safety and Monitoring Board (all members should be listed); Scientific Committees of the OPS CENTER (list only Chair and Vice-Chair positions - do not include subcommittee heads); and Administrative Committees of the OPS CENTER ((list only Chair and Vice-Chair positions - do not include subcommittee heads). Please Note: For key positions by OPS CENTER investigators in NCI Scientific Steering Committees, Task Forces & Working Groups, etc., that information should be provided in the text of "Sub-section B. Administrative Core Collective Management & Collaborative Research" under the Research Strategy section of the Research Plan for the Administrative Core. A table can be used to show this information with column headings for the Staffing Category for the OPS CENTER (i.e., type of committee), Member status (i.e., Chair, Vice-Chair, Member) general category of Network Group/NCI Steering Committee/NCI Initiative, specific category or activity; Member Name, Member Title, Member Institution, and Length of Service in the Position. The date the table was prepared should be provided as a sub-heading (e.g., Information Current as of MM, DD, YY).

Attachment 2. Summary of Important Primary Scientific Achievements on NCTN Clinical Trials by Major Cancer Category, Trial Phase, and Trial Number (use filename PrimaryScienceAchievements). In this attachment, provide information on important primary scientific achievements of the OPS CENTER that were reported out since March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024. Important primary scientific achievements refer to the Primary Endpoint(s) for an NCTN clinical trial specified in the protocol document. Applicants should briefly explain the importance of the achievement regardless of whether results were positive or negative as it is the importance of the achievement itself that is the focus for review, not the number of publications. A table can be used to show this information with column headings for the general cancer site category (e.g., breast, hematology - leukemia, gastrointestinal - colorectal cancer), trial phase, year of publication of study primary outcome or FDA indication or other significant impact, Network Group Trial # and brief title, experimental agent/regimen, primary endpoint result/indication, manuscript or abstract reference, brief description of the importance of the primary scientific achievement (incorporated into practice guideline, new FDA indication), date trial activated, date trial closed to accrual, and total accrual (total number of patients enrolled on the trial). The timeframe for the table should be provided as a sub-heading (e.g., March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).

Attachment 3. Summary of Other Important Achievements for NCTN Clinical Trials by Major Cancer Category, Trial Phase, and Trial Number (use filename OtherScienceAchievements). In this attachment, provide information on other important achievements associated with trials that were reported out since March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024 by the OPS CENTER. Other important achievements refer to important information from secondary endpoints of NCTN clinical trials specified in the protocol such as validation of an integrated biomarker or other important analyses (e.g., meta-analyses; special population analyses). Applicants should briefly explain the importance of the achievement as it is the importance of the achievement itself that is the focus for review, not number of publications. A table can be used to show this information with column headings for the general cancer site category (e.g., breast, hematology - leukemia, gastrointestinal - colorectal cancer), trial phase, year of publication of study primary outcome or FDA indication or other significant impact, Network Group Trial # and brief title, experimental agent/regimen, description of secondary endpoint or sub-study result, manuscript or abstract reference, brief description of the importance of the secondary endpoint or sub-study result, date trial activated, date trial closed to accrual, and total accrual (i.e., total number of patients enrolled on the trial). The timeframe for the table should be provided as a sub-heading (e.g., March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024). Please Note: Quality of Life (QOL) sub-studies in NCTN trials funded by DCP NCORP Research Base grants should not be included in this table but can be referenced/described in the collaborations section of the Research Strategy section of the Research Plan for the Administrative Core (i.e., in Sub-section B. Administrative Core Collective Management & Collaborative Research").

Attachment 4. Operational Timelines for Development of Clinical Trial Proposals (Letters of Intent [LOIs] and Concepts) (use filename SummaryTrialActivationTimelines). In this attachment, provide information on the timeline for the development and activation/opening of NCTN trials. This information should be provided only for NCTN trials that activated on or after March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024 with the exception of the ComboMATCH and myeloMATCH master protocols and sub-protocols as these NCI Precision Medicine Initiatives were developed under a different process and timeline due to changes in information technology (IT) implementation, regulatory framework, and laboratory set-up. This information should be in provided in a series of tables so that the data can be provided separately by trial phase and Investigational New Drug (IND) status as different operational timelines are used for phase 1 and phase 2 trials versus phase 3 trials and IND studies often require additional operational complexities related to drug supply and regulatory requirements.

• There should be three separate tables for IND trials: one table for Pilot and Phase 1 trials, one table for Phase 2 trials (including phase 1/2 trials), and one table for Phase 3 trials (including Phase 2/3 trials). Each table should have the following with column headings for the major cancer category, trial phase, type of proposal (LOI or Concept), Operational Efficiency Working Group (OEWG) start date, date of LOI/Concept approval, date of 1st protocol submission, # of protocol submissions prior to activation, date final NCI/DCTD final protocol approval, date study activated/open for patient accrual, # total days in development, comments on trial development (if needed). The data in the tables should be sorted by major cancer category, type of proposal (LOI or Concept), OEWG start date, and trial #. Under each of the three tables, the Median # Days in Development for all trials in the table should be presented. Also, the timeframe should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., for All Trials Activated from March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).
• There should be three separate tables for non-IND trials: one table for Pilot and Phase 1 trials, one table for Phase 2 trials (including phase 1/2 trials), and one for Phase 3 trials (including Phase 2/3 trials). Each table should have the following with column headings for the major cancer category, trial phase, type of proposal (LOI or Concept), Operational Efficiency Working Group (OEWG) start date, date of LOI/Concept approval, date of 1st protocol submission, # of protocol submissions prior to activation, date final NCI/DCTD final protocol approval, date study activated/open for patient accrual, # total days in development, Comments on trial development (if needed). The data in the tables should be sorted by major cancer category, type of proposal (LOI or Concept), Operational Efficiency Working Group (OEWG) start date, and trial #. Under each of the 3 tables, the Median # Days in Development for all trials in the table should be presented. Also, the timeframe should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., for All Trials Activated from March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).

Attachment 5. Operational Timelines for Trial Conduct by Major Cancer Category and Trial Phase (use filename SummaryTrialConductTimelines). In this attachment, provide information on the timeline for the conduct of NCTN trials that were open to patient enrollment on or after March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024. This information should be a table with column headings for major cancer category, trial phase, type of proposal (LOI or Concept), trial # and brief title, date trial activated/opened to patient enrollment, trial status (open, temporarily closed, closed to accrual, etc.), total patient accrual target, # of patients accrued to date (8/31/2024), % projected monthly accrual rate, estimated trial closure date to accrual, anticipated primary completion date per clinicaltrials.gov. The table should be sorted by major cancer category, trial phase, date of activation, and trial #. Also, the timeframe should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., for All Trials Open on or after March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).

Attachment 6. Operational Timelines for Trial Completion by Major Cancer Category and Trial Phase (use filename SummaryTrialCompletionTimelines). In this attachment, provide information on the timeline for all NCTN trials that were completed with outcomes reporting (or without outcomes reporting if trial closed due to very poor accrual) between March 1, 2019 and August 31, 2024. This information should be a table with column headings for major cancer category, trial phase, trial # and brief title, date trial activated/opened to patient enrollment, date trial closed, total patient accrual target specified in protocol, total # patients enrolled, primary completion date per clinicaltrials.gov, publication or abstract date, publication or abstract reference, comments on trial completion (if needed - e.g., to explain if trial closed due to poor accrual and no outcome results were ever generated.) Also, the timeframe should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., for All Trials that Closed between March 1, 2019 and August 31, 2024).

Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Clinical Trials Development Core)

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.

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Clinical Trials Development Core)

• In the Project Director/Principal Investigator section of the form, use Project Role of ‘Other’ with Category of ‘Project Lead’ and provide a valid eRA Commons ID in the Credential field.
• In the additional Senior/Key Profiles section, list Senior/Key persons that are working in the component.
• Include a single Biographical Sketch for each Senior/Key person listed in the application regardless of the number of components in which they participate. When a Senior/Key person is listed in multiple components, the Biographical Sketch can be included in any one component.
• If more than 100 Senior/Key persons are included in a component, the Additional Senior Key Person attachments should be used.

Budget (Clinical Trials Development Core)

Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package. The following additional budget instructions apply for the Clinical Trials Development Core in this NOFO.

a) Applicants may include funding to cover quality assurance/control functions associated with clinical trials when approved by NCI/DCTD in study protocols such as central pathology review to confirm diagnoses, central review/reads of radiographic images, study team review to determine protocol compliance with dose administration and dosage modification of agents, and study team review of adequacy of protocol-specified surgical procedures may be assessed (e.g., through review of operative notes, study-specific surgical forms, and pathology reports) by the Network Group study team for the trial.

b) Network Group Operations Center budgets should not include scientific services related to development of innovations in advanced imaging or radiotherapy treatments unless it is a specific, essential component of the Network Group’s overall research strategy and it was explicitly funded for a Network Group in the previous funding period/award for the Group.

PHS 398 Research Plan (Clinical Trials Development Core)

Specific Aims:  State concisely the goals of the OPS CENTER Clinical Trials Development Core in terms of providing expertise and operational efficiency for clinical trial development and conduct for NCTN trials that the OPS CENTER leads.

Research Strategy: Organize the Research Strategy section with sub-sections in the specified order and using the instructions provided below. Start each sub-section with the appropriate sub-section heading: Sub-section A. Clinical Trials Development Program and Sub-section B. Operational Management Program.

Sub-section A. Clinical Trials Development Program: Describe the Core's capability to develop, activate, conduct, and monitor clinical trials in a timely manner. Describe the applicant’s senior research teams (for scientific research committees and administrative committees) and the plans and processes the Core will use with its study teams to pursue its goals and research agenda within the NCTN. Summarize the capabilities and experience of the Core's development team in successfully developing, overall organizing, and coordinating large-scale, definitive clinical trials as well as experience in leveraging resources from multiple funding sources for the conduct of ancillary studies (e.g., correlative science studies) associated with clinical trials. Describe how the Core provides appropriate training programs for protocol chairs, institutional site PD(s)/PI(s), and clinical research associates (CRAs). The applicant should also describe how it mentors new/junior investigators and patient advocates in clinical trial research within the NCTN.

Sub-Section B. Operational Management Program: Describe how the Core optimizes the operational efficiency in both clinical trial development (including adherence to Operational Efficiency Working Group (OEWG) timelines) and in timely accrual to trials after activation. Indicate how the Core takes advantage of the available, NCI-supported standard tools and services for the conduct of clinical trials (e.g., Common Data Management System, Oncology Patient Enrollment System, and Regulatory Support System for the NCTN). Address how the Core will assure compliance with NCI/NIH and other Federal regulations regarding study monitoring and clinical research.

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.

NOTE: The Data Management and Sharing Plan as applicable to this section should be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in the Overall component above.

Appendix:

No Appendix materials are allowable for this research plan (Administrative Core). 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.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information (Clinical Trials Development Project Name)

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.

Member Site Core

When preparing your application, use Component Type ‘Member Site Core.’

All instructions in the How to Apply- Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions, as noted. 

SF424 (R&R) Cover (Member Site Core)

Complete only the following fields:

• Applicant Information
• Type of Applicant (optional)
• Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project
• Proposed Project Start/Ending Dates

PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement (Member Site Core)

Enter Human Embryonic Stem Cells in each relevant component.

Research & Related Other Project Information (Member Site Core)

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 Narrative: Do not complete. Note: ASSIST screens will show an asterisk for this attachment indicating it is required. However, eRA systems only enforce this requirement in the Overall component and applications will not receive an error if omitted in other components.

Other Attachments: Applicants must provide the following additional materials specified below for the Member Site Core. Each attachment should be uploaded as a separate PDF using the indicated filenames (which will serve as application bookmarks).

Attachment 1. Summary Accrual for All NCTN Clinical Trials by Trial Phase by Members of the OPS CENTER (use filename SummaryAllAccrual). In this attachment, provide documentation of patient accrual on NCTN clinical trials from March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024 by members of the OPS CENTER. Accrual figures should include the unique number of patients enrolled on each NCTN trial regardless of whether the accrual was a screening or an intervention accrual (biospecimen submissions should not be counted as accrual). However, because of the large number of screening accruals on the three large NCTN Precision Medicine Trials of the LUNGMAP Screening Protocol (LUNGMAP), Adult MATCH (trial # EAY131), and ALCHEMIST (trial # A151216), patient accrual to these trials should be presented separately from all other accrual. Therefore, the accrual information should be provided in two tables - one table for the number of unique patients enrolled by OPS CENTER members on the three NCTN Precision Medicine Trials with large screening components (i.e., LUNGMAP, EAY131, A151216) and one table for accrual to all other NCTN trials. The column headings for each table should include all trial phases (pilot/other, phase 1, phase 2 (including phase 1/2 trials), phase 3 (including phase 2/3 trials) and total column summing accrual across all trial phases. Each table should have three rows with the first row representing the number of patients enrolled by OPS CENTER members on trials LEAD BY THE OPS CENTER, the second row representing the number of patients enrolled by OPS CENTER members on trials led by OTHER NCTN NETWORK GROUPS, and the third row being the total of rows #1 and #2. The timeframe for the period of accrual should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).

Attachment 2. Summary of Accrual by Major Cancer Category and Trial Phase by Members of the OPS CENTER (use filename SummaryAccrualMajorCancerSite). In this attachment, provide documentation of patient accrual by major cancer category and trial phase by members of the OPS CENTER from March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024. Accrual figures should include the unique number of patients enrolled on each NCTN trial regardless of whether the accrual was a screening or an intervention accrual (biospecimen submissions should not be counted as accrual). However, because of the large number of screening accruals on the three NCTN Precision Medicine Trials of LUNGMAP Screening Protocol (LUNGMAP), Adult MATCH (trial # EAY131), and ALCHEMIST (trial # A151216), patient accrual to these trials should be presented separately from all other accrual. Therefore, the accrual information can be provided in two tables - one table for the number of unique patients enrolled by OPS CENTER members on the three NCTN Precision Medicine Trials with large screening components (i.e., LUNGMAP, EAY131, A151216) and one table for accrual by OPS CENTER members to all other NCTN trials. The column headings for each table should include major disease category (e.g., breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), all trial phases (pilot/other, phase 1, phase 2 (including phase 1/2 trials), phase 3 (including phase 2/3 trials), and total column summing accrual across all trial phases by major disease category. Each table should have three rows for each major cancer category with the first row representing the number of patients enrolled by OPS CENTER members on trials led by the OPS CENTER, the second row representing the number of patients enrolled by OPS CENTER members on trials led by other NCTN Network Groups, and the third row being the total of rows #1 and #2 for that major disease category. The timeframe for the period of accrual should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).

Attachment 3. Summary of Accrual by Major Cancer Category and Trial Phase to All Trials Led by the OPS CENTER by members of the OPS CENTER and Other NCTN Groups (use filename SummaryAccrualAllMembersNCTN). In this attachment, provide documentation of patient accrual by major cancer category and trial phase to all trials led by the OPS CENTER by the entire NCTN from March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024. Accrual figures should include the unique number of patients enrolled on each NCTN trial led by the OPS CENTER regardless of whether the accrual was a screening or an intervention accrual (biospecimen submissions should not be counted as accrual). The column headings for the table should include major disease category (e.g., breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), all trial phases (pilot/other, phase 1, phase 2 (including phase 1/2 trials), phase 3 (including phase 2/3 trials), and total column summing accrual across all trial phases by major disease category. The table should have three rows for each major cancer category with the first row representing the number of patients enrolled by OPS CENTER members on trials led by the OPS CENTER, the second row representing the number of patients enrolled by members of other NCTN Groups on trials led by the OPS CENTER, and the third row being the total of rows #1 and #2 for that major disease category. The timeframe for the period of accrual should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).

Attachment 4. Summary of OPS CENTER's Canadian Member Sites Accrual (use filename SummaryAccrualCanadianMembers). Since accrual of Canadian sites that belong to both the Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network and U.S. Network Group Operations Centers is synergistic, OPS CENTERS of U.S. Groups may detail the accrual that comes from their Canadian members when the OPS CENTER leads the trial but its Canadian members have credited the Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network due to regulatory requirements (i.e., Clinical Trials Applications/CTAs required by Health Canada are held by the Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network). This information can be provided in a table with column headings for major cancer category, trial phase, trial #, trial brief title, and total accrual from OPS CENTER's Canadian members on the trial. The table should be sorted by major cancer category, trial phase, and trial #. The timeframe for the period of accrual should be provided as a sub-heading for each table (e.g., March 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024).

Attachment 5. Summary of On-Site Auditing Activity for OPS CENTER Member Sites (use filename SummaryAuditMemberSites). In this attachment, provide information on the # of audits performed by OPS CENTER for its member institutions from March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024. In general, the NCI Clinical Trials Monitoring Branch (CTMB) Guidelines for Auditing NCTN clinical trials require all participating sites to be audited at least once every 36 months. On-site auditing information for OPS CENTER members should be provided in a table by member site category only (not by individual sites). This table should have column headings for major site category (e.g., main members, affiliates of main members), # of active sites during reporting period, # of sites terminated during reporting period, # of sites withdrawn during reporting period, # routine audits performed & % of those audits with specific ratings (acceptable, acceptable with follow-up, unacceptable) by audit category (Institutional Review Board/Informed Consent Content, Pharmacy, and Patient Cases) during the reporting period), and # re-audits & off-cycle audits performed & % of those audits with specific ratings (acceptable, acceptable with follow-up, unacceptable) by audit category (Institutional Review Board/Informed Consent Content, Pharmacy, and Patient Cases) during the reporting period). Sites that are terminated or withdrawn within the reporting period and later re-activated should still be counted in the columns of the report if they were audited.

Attachment 6. Constitution and By-Laws for Site & Investigator Membership in the OPS CENTER (use filename MembershipConstitutionByLaws). In this attachment, provide information on the Constitution & By-Laws for the OPS CENTER related to both site and investigator membership to illustrate how both sites and investigators are recruited and evaluated.

Project /Performance Site Location(s) (Member Site Core)

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.

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Member Site Core)

• In the Project Director/Principal Investigator section of the form, use Project Role of ‘Other’ with Category of ‘Project Lead’ and provide a valid eRA Commons ID in the Credential field.
• In the additional Senior/Key Profiles section, list Senior/Key persons that are working in the component.
• Include a single Biographical Sketch for each Senior/Key person listed in the application regardless of the number of components in which they participate. When a Senior/Key person is listed in multiple components, the Biographical Sketch can be included in any one component.
• If more than 100 Senior/Key persons are included in a component, the Additional Senior Key Person attachments should be used.

Budget (Member Site Core)

Budget forms appropriate for the specific component will be included in the application package. The following additional budget instructions apply for the Member Site Core in this NOFO.

1. General determination of level of "per-case management" funding (aka capitation funding) for Member Sites. The NCTN provides general total cost support for different types of accrual for member sites depending on the accrual type category. Total cost funding for "per case management" for treatment intervention trials is expected to be provided in following estimated amounts by accrual category per enrolled patient listed below:

• IND-Exempt Intervention Treatment Trial: $3.700
• Non-CTEP IND Intervention Treatment Trial: $4,200
• CTEP IND Intervention Treatment Trial: $5,000
• Primary Imaging Base Intervention Trial: $1,350
• Screening Only on Treatment/Primary Imaging Trials: $700 (patient does not go onto intervention of trial)
• One Biospecimen Collection “Package” per Patient: $600 (for Intervention Treatment/Primary Imaging Trial enrollments only)

Please Note: "Per-case management" funding may be provided out of the Member Site Core capitation budget for collections of radiologic images (not costs of the actual imaging) but only for NCI/DCTD approved integral and/or integrated imaging studies embedded in NCTN trials and the collection must be coordinated through the Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Center. Quality assurance/control for significant radiotherapy interventions in NCTN trials is performed by the Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Centers. "Per-case management" funding may be provided for biospecimens collected for NCI/DCTD approved integral and/or integrated studies in embedded NCTN trials as well as for optional biospecimen collections for future unspecified research if approved by NCI/DCTD.

To justify the budget, the applicant needs to describe using an "Accrual InputTable or Narrative" in the budget narrative detailing the number of patients expected to be accrued in the "screen only" category for treatment and/or imaging trials, intervention category for treatment trials, intervention category for primary imaging trials, and 1 patient biospecimen collection for each enrollment on a treatment or primary imaging trial by category site type. The applicant should use the prior funding period as a guide for reasonable estimates of future patient enrollments by accrual type with appropriate justification for any significant changes in anticipated levels of patient enrollments.

b) Additional Capitation for the Pediatric Network Group Member Sites. The pediatric Network Group Operations Center may also provide additional infrastructure support for select high-performance pediatric sites based on the overall level of patient accrual at those sites since they are not eligible for the adult Network Lead Academic Participating Sites awards which provide this type of support to high-performance sites engaged in NCTN trials that enroll adult cancer patients. This additional funding is calculated to provide an estimated, additional, total cost of between $1,600 to $2,700 to selected sites per intervention accrual. The pediatric Network Group Operations Center application may also include a specification/algorithm with justification for distributing this infrastructure support over a broader range of sites (i.e., distribute this funding over a wider group of sites and/or at more than 1 set dollar level). This justification should be presented in the budget narrative for this Core.

c) Additional Capitation for Unreimbursed Imaging for Primary Imaging Trials. Capitation funding to cover data management and imaging costs for complex imaging used in primary imaging trials (above the base intervention per-case amount described above) would be provided to all NCTN participating sites by the 1 Network Group Operations Center which has a NCTN Program approved specialty focus in this area that leads these trials (including providing the funding to other Network Group Operations Centers for their members which participate in the trials) as these studies are expected to be limited in number relative to the number of treatment trials. This funding is provided on a trial-by-trial basis as approved by NCI/DCTD. An estimate of the capitation needed for this purpose should be provided only by the one appropriate NCTN Network Group which has this specialty focus in its NCTN OPS CENTER budget for this Core.

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.

PHS 398 Research Plan (Member Site Core)

Specific Aims:  State concisely the goals of the OPS CENTER Member Site Core in terms of providing robust accrual for NCTN trials by member sites to trials led by the OPS CENTER as well as to trials led by other NCTN OPS CENTERS. The aims should also include the goals of oversight of member sites for accrual and trial conduct.

Research Strategy: (Please note that there are no sub-sections for the Research Strategy section of this Core.) Describe the Core's plan for accrual to NCTN trials by the OPS CENTER's member institutions/sites. This plan should encompass accrual to trials led by the applicant as well as trials that will be led by other NCTN Groups (i.e., the other U.S. Network Groups Operations Centers and the Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network). Describe any special accrual focus for its member sites with respect to rare cancers and special populations. Explain how member sites are recruited and selected as well as how they are monitored for patient accrual as well as monitored and audited for performance, with information provided on audit results for the overall membership.

The attachments for this Core do not include information on non-NCTN collaborator accrual. Information on non-NCTN collaborator accrual should be provided in this research strategy section for NCTN trials led by the OPS CENTER from March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2024. The OPS CENTER applicant should provide this accrual information by major cancer category, trial phase, and trial #. The applicant should also describe how these sites are monitored/audited on these trials.

Resource Sharing Plan: Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification:

• Consistent with achieving the goals of the program, Resource Sharing Plans are expected for all applications but should be provided only under the Overall Component.

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.

PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information (Member Site Core)

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.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

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

4. Submission Dates and Times

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.

5. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental review.

6. Funding Restrictions

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.

7. Other Submission Requirements and Information

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 NCI, 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 [email protected].

Post Submission Materials

Applicants are required to follow the instructions for post-submission materials, as described in the policy.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

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 NOFO, note the following:

Scoring: Reviewers will provide an overall impact score for the entire application. In addition, reviewers will also provide individual "criterion scores" for the Overall application but not for the other components.

All other components of the Network [i.e., Administrative Core, Clinical Trials Development Core, and Member Site Core] will be evaluated but each will receive only an overall adjectival rating.

A proposed Clinical Trial application may include study design, methods, and intervention that are not by themselves innovative but address important questions or unmet needs. Additionally, the results of the clinical trial may indicate that further clinical development of the intervention is unwarranted or lead to new avenues of scientific investigation.

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.

Significance

Does the OPS Center 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 OPS Center rigorous? If the aims of the OPS Center 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?

Are the scientific rationale and need for a clinical trial to test the proposed hypothesis or intervention well supported by preliminary data, clinical and/or preclinical studies, or information in the literature or knowledge of biological mechanisms? For trials focusing on clinical or public health endpoints, is this clinical trial necessary for testing the safety, efficacy or effectiveness of an intervention that could lead to a change in clinical practice, community behaviors or health care policy? For trials focusing on mechanistic, behavioral, physiological, biochemical, or other biomedical endpoints, is this trial needed to advance scientific understanding?

Investigator(s)

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?

With regard to the proposed leadership for the project, do the PD/PI(s) and key personnel have the expertise, experience, and ability to organize, manage and implement the proposed clinical trials and meet milestones and timelines? Do they have appropriate expertise in study coordination, data management and statistics? For a multicenter trials, is the organizational structure appropriate and does the application identify a core of potential center investigators and staffing for a coordinating center?

Innovation

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?

Does the design/research plan include innovative elements, as appropriate, that enhance its sensitivity, potential for information or potential to advance scientific knowledge or clinical practice?

Approach

Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the OPS CENTER? Have the investigators included plans to address weaknesses in the rigor of prior research that serves as the key support for the proposed OPS CENTER? 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 OPS CENTER 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/gender, 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?

Does the application adequately address the following, if applicable

Study Design

Are the OPS CENTER'S overall research strategy/strategies justified and appropriate to address primary and secondary outcome variable(s)/endpoints that will be clear, informative and relevant to the hypothesis being tested? Is the scientific rationale/premise of the studies based on previously well-designed preclinical and/or clinical research? Given the methods used to assign participants and deliver interventions, are the studies design adequately powered to answer the research question(s), test the proposed hypothesis/hypotheses, and provide interpretable results? Are the trials appropriately designed to conduct the research efficiently? Are the studies populations (size, gender, age, demographic group), proposed intervention arms/dose, and duration of the trials appropriate and well justified?

Are potential ethical issues adequately addressed? Is the process for obtaining informed consent or assent appropriate? Is the eligible population available? Are the plans for recruitment outreach, enrollment, retention, handling dropouts, missed visits, and losses to follow-up appropriate to ensure robust data collection? Are the planned recruitment timelines feasible and is the plan to monitor accrual adequate? Has the need for randomization (or not), masking (if appropriate), controls, and inclusion/exclusion criteria been addressed? Are differences addressed, if applicable, in the intervention effect due to sex/gender and race/ethnicity?

Are the plans to standardize, assure quality of, and monitor adherence to, the trials protocol and data collection or distribution guidelines appropriate? Is there a plan to obtain required study agent(s)? Does the application propose to use existing available resources, as applicable?

Data Management and Statistical Analysis

Are planned analyses and statistical approach appropriate for the proposed study design and methods used to assign participants and deliver interventions? Are the procedures for data management and quality control of data adequate at clinical site(s) or at center laboratories, as applicable? Have the methods for standardization of procedures for data management to assess the effect of the intervention and quality control been addressed? Is there a plan to complete data analysis within the proposed period of the award?

Environment

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 OPS Center proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?

If proposed, are the administrative, data coordinating, enrollment and laboratory/testing centers, appropriate for the trials proposed?

Does the application adequately address the capability and ability to conduct the trials at the proposed site(s) or centers? Are the plans to add or drop enrollment centers, as needed, appropriate?

If international site(s) is/are proposed, does the application adequately address the complexity of executing the clinical trials?

If multi-sites/centers, is there evidence of the ability of the individual site or center to: (1) enroll the proposed numbers; (2) adhere to the protocol; (3) collect and transmit data in an accurate and timely fashion; and, (4) operate within the proposed organizational structure?

Additional Review Criteria - Overall

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.

Study Timeline

Are the study timelines described in detail, taking into account start-up activities, the anticipated rate of enrollment, and planned follow-up assessment? Are the projected timeline feasible and well justified? Does the OPS Center incorporate efficiencies and utilize existing resources (e.g., CTSAs, practice-based research networks, electronic medical records, administrative database, or patient registries) to increase the efficiency of participant enrollment and data collection, as appropriate?

Are potential challenges and corresponding solutions discussed (e.g., strategies that can be implemented in the event of enrollment shortfalls)?

Protections for Human Subjects

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.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan

When the proposed project involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for the inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals of all ages (including children and older adults) to determine if it is justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Inclusion in Clinical Research.

Vertebrate Animals

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 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.

Biohazards

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.

Resubmissions

Not Applicable.

Renewals

For Renewals, the committee will consider the progress made in the last funding period.

Revisions

Not Applicable.

Additional Review Considerations - Overall

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.

Applications from Foreign Organizations

Not Applicable

Select Agent Research

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).

Resource Sharing Plans

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.

Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources:

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.

Budget and Period of Support

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

Scored Review Criteria – Cores

For each of the Network's components below (i.e., Administrative Core, Statistical Core, Data Management Core), reviewers will provide an overall adjectival rating. Reviewers will consider the following aspects while determining scientific and technical merit of each component. Criterion scores will not be provided for the Cores.

Review Criteria for Administrate Core

• Are the scientific qualifications, involvement, leadership, and time commitment of the PD(s)/PI(s) sufficient for requirements of the OPS CENTER?
• Are the plans for organizational and administrative management, including scientific and fiscal management, appropriate for the OPS CENTER? Are major administrative functions centralized for efficiency, particularly with respect to providing agreements and distribution of capitation funding to member sites through one central office?
• Are plans for coordination and communication adequate to accomplish the objectives of the OPS CENTER and for the OPS CENTER to participate in the Collective Management of the NCTN Program?
• Does the OPS CENTER participate in significant collaborations with other NCTN Network Groups on trials as well as with other NCI-sponsored programs on trial-related initiatives? Does the OPS CENTER provide co-PI(s) and/or Champions (i.e., study liaisons for accrual and trial monitoring and conduct) from its Group for trials led by other NCTN Network Groups, particularly late-phase trials (i.e., phase 2/3 and phase 3 trials)?
• Are methods in place to monitor progress in other Cores services and to determine whether the other Core resources are being utilized effectively?
• Are the qualifications, experience, and commitment of the Administrative Core Leader(s), especially for the Director of Operations position, adequate?
• Is there a clearly described chain of responsibility for decision making and a succession plan should the need arise?

Review Criteria for Clinical Trials Development Core

• Does the OPS CENTER articulate a clear research strategy to complement the research of the NCTN Program? How well will the applicant contribute to the development of and/or accrual to clinical trials in rare cancers and special populations?
• Do the research experience and qualifications of the leadership of the Core's Scientific Research Committees provide multi-disciplinary representation (e.g., medical oncology, radiation oncology, imaging, surgery, pathology, translational science, patient advocacy) across a broad range of diseases appropriate to the stated research goals? Are the experience and qualifications of the leadership of the applicant's Administrative Committees appropriate for development and oversight of the administrative management categories needed for conducting both early phase and especially late phase, multi-institutional clinical trials (e.g., support functions for trials including support for outreach and enrollment of minority and underserved patient populations)?
• Does the OPS CENTER have a mentorship program for new/junior investigators that provides opportunities for leadership of clinical trials (e.g., developing concepts for trial proposals, serving as study chairs for trials, participating in scientific committees in support or leadership roles, participating in other clinical trial activities) at appropriate levels as well as the potential to provide opportunities to these investigators to participate in the future in NCTN activities or initiatives? Does the OPS CENTER mentor and involve patient advocates in clinical trial activities with clear roles and responsibilities?
• How appropriate are the OPS CENTER's policies and standardized procedures for development and monitoring of trial proposals and protocols for ensuring that trial development meets NCI-mandated trial activation timelines for operational efficiency (i.e., OEWG timelines) and accrual to trials are completed in a timely manner? How well has the OPS CENTER integrated the use of NCTN tools into its processes for development and conduct of clinical trials?

Review Criteria for Member Site Core

• Are the policies and procedures for institution/site membership (included in the Constitution and By-laws of the OPS CENTER) clear and appropriate for the NCTN Program?
• Does the OPS CENTER have the potential to provide accrual to clinical trials conducted across the NCTN as a whole, especially in the applicant's stated areas/diseases of research interest, rare tumors, and special populations (e.g., minority, underserved, and AYA populations)?
• How appropriate are the applicant's proposed policies and procedures in meeting the onsite audit requirements of the NCI Clinical Trials Monitoring Branch Guidelines (CTMB) for its member institutions/sites? How appropriate are the applicant's plans to appropriately address issues with member institutions/sites noted at the time of audit, including non-compliance, data quality, data reporting requirement, and timeliness of audits and re-audits?

Additional Review Criteria - Cores

As applicable for the Cores and Projects proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall adjectival rating, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Study Timeline

Specific to applications involving clinical trials

Is the study timeline described in detail, taking into account start-up activities, the anticipated rate of enrollment, and planned follow-up assessment? Is the projected timeline feasible and well justified? Does the project incorporate efficiencies and utilize existing resources (e.g., CTSAs, practice-based research networks, electronic medical records, administrative database, or patient registries) to increase the efficiency of participant enrollment and data collection, as appropriate?

Are potential challenges and corresponding solutions discussed (e.g., strategies that can be implemented in the event of enrollment shortfalls)?

Protections for Human Subjects

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.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan

When the proposed project involves human subjects and/or NIH-defined clinical research, the committee will evaluate the proposed plans for the inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals on the basis of sex/gender, race, and ethnicity, as well as the inclusion (or exclusion) of individuals of all ages (including children and older adults) to determine if it is justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed. For additional information on review of the Inclusion section, please refer to the Guidelines for the Review of Inclusion in Clinical Research.

Vertebrate Animals

The committee will evaluate the involvement of live vertebrate animals as part of the scientific assessment according to the following five points: 1) proposed use of the animals, and species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers to be used; 2) justifications for the use of animals and for the appropriateness of the species and numbers proposed; 3) adequacy of veterinary care; 4) procedures for limiting discomfort, distress, pain and injury to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research including the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices; and 5) methods of euthanasia and reason for selection if not consistent with the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. For additional information on review of the Vertebrate Animals section, please refer to the Worksheet for Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section.

Biohazards

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.

Additional Review Considerations - Cores

As applicable for the Cores and Projects 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 adjectival rating.

Applications from Foreign Organizations

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.

Select Agent Research

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).

Resource Sharing Plans

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.

Authentication of Key Biological and/or Chemical Resources:

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.

Budget and Period of Support

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s) convened by NCI, 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.

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.

Appeals of initial peer review will not be accepted for applications submitted in response to this NOFO.

Applications will be assigned on the basis of established PHS referral guidelines to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center. 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 appropriate national Advisory Council or Board. The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

• Scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as determined by scientific peer review.
• Availability of funds.
• Relevance of the proposed project to program priorities.

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.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

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.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

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.

Individual awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, the NIH and are subject to the IC-specific terms and conditions identified in the NoA.

ClinicalTrials.gov: If an award provides for one or more clinical trials. By law (Title VIII, Section 801 of Public Law 110-85), the "responsible party" must register and submit results information for certain “applicable clinical trials” on the ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System Information Website (https://register.clinicaltrials.gov). NIH expects registration and results reporting of all trials whether required under the law or not. For more information, see https://grants.nih.gov/policy/clinical-trials/reporting/index.htm

Institutional Review Board or Independent Ethics Committee Approval: Grantee institutions must ensure that all 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.

Data and Safety Monitoring Requirements: The NIH policy for data and safety monitoring requires oversight and monitoring of all NIH-conducted or -supported human biomedical and behavioral intervention studies (clinical trials) to ensure the safety of participants and the validity and integrity of the data. Further information concerning these requirements is found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/hs/data_safety.htm and in the application instructions (SF424 (R&R) and PHS 398).

Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption Requirements: Consistent with federal regulations, clinical research projects involving the use of investigational therapeutics, vaccines, or other medical interventions (including licensed products and devices for a purpose other than that for which they were licensed) in humans under a research protocol must be performed under a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigational new drug (IND) or investigational device exemption (IDE).

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The following Federal wide and HHS-specific policy requirements apply to awards funded through NIH:

• The rules listed at 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the terms and conditions in the Notice of Award (NoA). The NoA includes the requirements of this NOFO. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Recipients, and Activities.
• If a recipient receives an award, the recipient must follow all applicable nondiscrimination laws. The recipient agrees to this when registering in SAM.gov. The recipient must also submit an Assurance of Compliance (HHS-690). To learn more, see the Laws and Regulations Enforced by the HHS Office for Civil Rights website.
  • HHS recognizes that NIH research projects are often limited in scope for many reasons that are nondiscriminatory, such as the principal investigator’s scientific interest, funding limitations, recruitment requirements, and other considerations. Thus, criteria in research protocols that target or exclude certain populations are warranted where nondiscriminatory justifications establish that such criteria are appropriate with respect to the health or safety of the subjects, the scientific study design, or the purpose of the research. For additional guidance regarding how the provisions apply to NIH grant programs, please contact the Scientific/Research Contact that is identified in Section VII under Agency Contacts of this NOFO.

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.

Recipients are responsible for ensuring that their activities comply with all applicable federal regulations.  NIH may terminate awards under certain circumstances.  See 2 CFR Part 200.340 Termination and NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.5.2 Remedies for Noncompliance or Enforcement Actions: Suspension, Termination, and Withholding of Support.

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:

• Development of research strategy for clinical trial development across a range of cancer types, modalities, and treatment approaches and appropriate conduct, monitoring, and results reporting of NCI-approved trials.
• Recruitment of permanent member sites for patient enrollment to NCTN trials and oversight of member sites for the conduct of trials they participate in across the NCTN, including evaluation of member site performance and auditing per NCTN Program Clinical Trials Monitoring Branch (CTMB) Guidelines.
• Mentoring of new/junior investigators as well as patient advocates in clinical trials research/activities.
• Ensuring that all U.S. member sites are members of the NCI CIRBs and use the NCI CIRB for applicable NCTN multi-site clinical trials.
• Provision of standard operating procedures covering all aspects of clinical trial design, trial conduct (including compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and risk-based central monitoring for applicable NCTN IND trials), development and compliance with data safety/monitoring plans and Data Safety Monitoring Board policy for applicable trials, and training for Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) at member participating sites and Study Chairs/Teams about their responsibilities for study monitoring.
• Responsibilities as a drug sponsor for investigational agent or device development for IND and/or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical trials when the NCTN Network Group holds the IND and/or IDE for an NCTN trial.
• Participation in the collective management of the NCTN, including participation in appropriate NCTN Program activities and initiatives (e.g., NCI Scientific Steering Committees, NCTN Core Correlative Science Committee).
• Compliance with NCTN Program/NCI/NIH timelines and policies for registration of trials in clinicaltrials.gov and NCI's Clinical Trials Reporting Program (CTRP), publication, and trial data deposit in the NCTN/NCORP Data Archive.
• Use of NCTN Program's common data management system including use of NCTN reporting tools for adverse event reporting and risk-based central monitoring.
• Compliance with NCTN Network Operating Principles to ensure member sites have the opportunity to participate in any network-wide adult or adolescent and young adult (AYA) NCTN trial (both trials led by the Network Group Operations Center as well as trials led by other NCTN Network Groups) and receive funding for per-case management per NCI/DCTD designated allocations.
• Compliance with Part 1 of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Program Guidelines/Handbook dated December 15, 2012 (https://ctep.cancer.gov/initiativesPrograms/docs/NCTN_Program_Guidelines.pdf) and any subsequent updated versions of the Guidelines/Handbook.
• Compliance will comply with the Handbook for Clinical Investigators Conducting Therapeutic Clinical Trials Supported by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), DCTD, NCI at (https://ctep.cancer.gov/investigatorResources/investigators_handbook.htm), the NCI Guidelines for Auditing Clinical Trials for the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Program including NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) and Research Bases at (https://ctep.cancer.gov/branches/ctmb/clinicalTrials/monitoring_coop_ccop_ctsu.htm), NCI/DCTD CRADA agreements, and the Intellectual Property Option to Collaborators at (https://ctep.cancer.gov/branches/rab/intellectual_property_option_to_collaborators.htm) for NCTN trials.
• 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 and within the limits of any accepted binding NCI/NIH collaborative agreements with biotechnology and as governed by NCI-approved Data Management and Sharing Plans and NCI-approved review for use of biospecimens collected in association with NCTN trials. 

NCI program staff have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards. The substantially involved NCI program staff member(s), acting as Project Scientist(s), will coordinate in a centralized fashion the various activities of the recipients. Specific responsibilities of the NCI Project Scientist(s) will include, but will not be limited to

• Responsibility for ensuring trials proposed are within the research scope of the NCTN Program.
• Final review and approval of trial Concepts after evaluation by NCI Scientific Steering Committees as well as review and approval of Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Concepts not evaluated by an NCI Scientific Steering Committee and final protocols and subsequent amendments for all NCTN trials.
• Approval of non-U.S. member sites for permanent Group Operations Center's membership roster.
• Evaluation and approval of clinical trial collaborations with non-NCTN, non-U.S. trial sites and organizations including review of any agreements/MOUs for compliance with NIH/NCI, federal, and NCTN policies. Review and approval of agreements/MOUs between the U.S. Groups and other entities related to NCTN trials for compliance with NCI/NIH, federal, and NCTN policies.
• Responsibilities as a drug sponsor for investigational agent or device development for NCI-sponsored or co-sponsored IND and/or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical trials, including determination of appropriate non-U.S. sponsors when NCI/DCTD holds the IND and/or IDE for an NCTN trial.
• Serving as scientific liaisons to recipients of this key component of the NCTN Program and participation in scientific meetings of this key component as well as informing Network investigators of scientific opportunities resulting from NCI-supported clinical research programs.
• Advising recipients concerning mechanisms established by the recipients for quality control of therapeutic and diagnostic modalities.
• Oversight of data and safety monitoring plans and boards for NCTN clinical trials. Oversight of data management and monitoring programs for NCTN trials as well as onsite auditing programs and quality assurance programs for the NCTN Program, including oversight of core services for radiotherapy and imaging support in NCTN trials.
• Facilitating coordination of the clinical trial activities and collaborations between the Network and other NCI-sponsored programs and investigators.
• Designation of "per-case management" funding amounts for all NCTN trial components.
• Final review and approval of requests for use of any biospecimens collected in association with NCTN trials and oversight of the NCTN Core Correlative Sciences Committee.
• Ensuring compliance with FDA requirements for investigational agents and ensuring compliance with OHRP and other federal regulations for research involving human research subjects including compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines for applicable NCTN IND trials.
• Monitoring the progress and performance of this key component of the NCTN Program. 

The NCI will have access to all data (including imaging data) collected and/or generated under this Cooperative Agreement and may periodically review the data. The NCI may also review all records related to recipients' performance under the award for appropriate collection, review, and distribution of biospecimens collected in association with NCTN trials.

The NCI reserves the right to reduce the budget or withhold an award in the event of substantial recipient underperformance or other substantial failures to comply with the terms of the award.

Additionally, an NCI program director acting as a Program Official will be responsible for the normal scientific and programmatic stewardship of the award and will be named in the award notice

Areas of Joint Responsibility include:

• General aspects of collaboration on study development and conduct especially with respect to compliance with federal regulations for clinical trial research (e.g., ensuring that when new avenues of cancer therapy involving investigational drugs are pursued, trials are designed, when appropriate, such that the clinical information obtained would be acceptable to the FDA for inclusion in a potential licensing application), conduct of Data and Safety Monitoring Boards (DSMBs) for phase 3 trials and randomized phase 2 trials, development of collaborative trials and international trials, collective management of the NCTN including participating in the NCTN Leadership Management Committee which makes recommendations to NCI for modifications to the Program as well as to standard NCTN common tools and services.
• Review of recommendations from the NCI Clinical Trials and Translational Research Advisory Committee (CTAC) on strategic directions for the NCTN Program.

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.

3. Data Management and Sharing

Consistent with the 2023 NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, when data management and sharing is applicable to the award, recipients will be required to adhere to the Data Management and Sharing requirements as outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Upon the approval of a Data Management and Sharing Plan, it is required for recipients to implement the plan as described. 

• When multiple years are involved, recipients will be required to submit the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement Section 8.4.1 Reporting. To learn more about post-award monitoring and reporting, see the NIH Grants & Funding website, see Post-Award Monitoring and Reporting.

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.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

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)

Finding Help Online: https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help  (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)

General Grants Information (Questions regarding application instructions, application processes, and NIH grant resources)
Email: [email protected] (preferred method of contact)
Telephone: 301-480-7075

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and Workspace)
Contact Center Telephone: 800-518-4726
Email: [email protected]

Margaret Mooney, M.D,
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6006
Email: [email protected]

Referral Officer
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6390
Email: [email protected]

Crystal Wolfrey
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Telephone: 240-276-6277
Email: [email protected]

Section VIII. Other Information

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.