Immuno-Oncology Translation Network (IOTN): Cancer Immunotherapy Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 19 015

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 19 015

The Immuno-Oncology Translation Network (IOTN): Cancer Immunotherapy Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-19-015) is an NIH cooperative agreement designed to speed up practical, near-term advances in cancer immunotherapy as part of the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative. Its central focus is translational immuno-oncology: pushing discoveries about how the immune system interacts with tumors toward strategies that can more effectively treat established adult cancers or prevent cancers from developing in the first place. The announcement aligns with the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel scientific priority (Recommendation B) calling for a dedicated translational science network built around immunotherapy approaches for adult cancers.

The program specifically supports organ site-specific cancer immunotherapy research projects that will operate as components of the broader Immuno-Oncology Translation Network. Rather than funding isolated, stand-alone studies, this FOA is meant to grow a coordinated network of multidisciplinary teams that work collaboratively, share insights and resources, and collectively accelerate progress. The overall network goals emphasize understanding both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms that influence tumor growth and progression, identifying and validating new immune targets, and testing novel immune-based treatments and rational combination approaches (for example, pairing immunotherapies with standard treatments or other modalities) with the aim of producing durable anti-cancer immune responses.

A key expectation is that the work be largely preclinical but strongly clinically relevant. Projects are intended to use models, experimental systems, and endpoints that meaningfully reflect human disease and could plausibly support future clinical translation. Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, NIH program staff typically have substantial scientific involvement compared with a standard research project grant, which generally means funded teams should be prepared for active coordination, milestone-driven progress, and participation in network-level activities that help integrate efforts across sites and disease areas. Importantly, the FOA explicitly does not allow clinical trials under this mechanism, reinforcing that the primary deliverables should be translational and preclinical advances rather than interventional studies in human participants.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, non-U.S. (foreign) institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. However, foreign components, as defined under NIH policy, are allowed, meaning an otherwise eligible U.S. applicant can include certain well-justified foreign collaborations or elements within the project structure.

Administrative details in the opportunity summary indicate it is categorized as a discretionary funding opportunity using the cooperative agreement instrument. The originating agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the activity category falls under environment and health. The original closing date listed was February 8, 2019, and the award ceiling shown is $500,000. Overall, the opportunity is structured to build a connected translational immunotherapy ecosystem that can move new immune targets and therapeutic concepts toward the clinic more quickly by using clinically grounded preclinical studies, collaborative team science, and network-level coordination.

• The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Immuno-Oncology Translation Network (IOTN): Cancer Immunotherapy Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.273, 93.353, 93.853, 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-10-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-02-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA CA 19 015

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