NCI Cancer Moonshot Scholars Diversity Program (CMSDP) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 22 050

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 22 050

The NCI Cancer Moonshot Scholars Diversity Program (CMSDP) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that invites applications for R01 research project grants proposing independent cancer-relevant studies that align with NCIs scientific mission. The main purpose of this program is not only to support strong cancer research, but also to broaden who is leading that research. In practical terms, the CMSDP is designed to increase the number of Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) from underrepresented groups (URGs) who successfully receive R01 awards, while strengthening the overall research enterprise by diversifying NCIs investigator pool. The announcement explicitly points applicants to NIH guidance on diversity (for example, NOT-OD-20-031, NIHs Notice of Interest in Diversity), signaling that the program is part of a larger NIH-wide effort to improve representation across the biomedical research workforce.

This opportunity uses the R01 mechanism and is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose either clinical trial research or non-clinical trial research, as long as the project fits within NCIs mission and the specific expectations of the FOA. Because this is an R01, the program is aimed at supporting independent, investigator-driven projects rather than training or career development awards, and it is especially focused on helping qualified ESIs from URGs reach the milestone of securing an independent R01, which is often a key step in establishing a long-term research career and lab program.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and public entities. Eligible applicants listed include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, along with public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The FOA also allows applications from Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized, as well as tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. A wide range of nonprofit organizations are eligible, including those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). For-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other organization types are also included among eligible applicants. In addition, the FOA highlights specific institution and organization categories that are encouraged or explicitly included as eligible, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also notes eligible agencies of the federal government, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

The foreign eligibility rules are specific. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, the FOA allows "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means that while the main applicant must be eligible and domestic, certain defined parts of the project work may be conducted outside the U.S. when justified and consistent with NIH policy.

Administratively, the opportunity is identified as RFA-CA-22-050 and falls under the discretionary grant category. The funding activity category is listed under education and health, and the CFDA number associated with the program is 93.398. The posting indicates an original closing date of February 6, 2024, and a creation date of September 1, 2022. An explicit award ceiling amount and expected number of awards are not provided in the supplied source data, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text or NIH funding page for any budget limits, project period constraints, and the final details on anticipated award numbers.

Overall, the CMSDP can be understood as an NCI Cancer Moonshot-aligned effort to fund competitive, independent cancer research projects through R01 support while directly addressing persistent gaps in representation among R01-funded Early Stage Investigators. It combines a standard NIH research grant structure with a clear programmatic emphasis on expanding participation and strengthening the cancer research workforce by supporting investigators from underrepresented backgrounds and institutions that serve historically underrepresented communities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Cancer Moonshot Scholars Diversity Program (CMSDP) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.398.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-09-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 22 050

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