The goal of this program announcement is to encourage the use of genetically engineered mouse cancer models for cancer therapy-related goals. Mouse cancer-prone models with heritable genetic alterations are usually derived to explore mechanisms that underlie basic cancer or tumor biology. Through in- depth phenotyping, these models are often discovered to have molecular genetic profiles and histopathology that are similar to the molecular signatures and tumor progression of human malignancies. Because of the similarities, the models may be appropriate to identify molecular targets for therapy or to test new molecularly targeted agents. The models may be credentialed with new agents through systematic preclinical trials to discover how well the mice mimic the clinical course of human cancer in response, or development of resistance, to therapy. Or the model strains may be used to discover the genetic determinants of response to therapeutic agents.

Colorectal Cancer Screening in Primary Care Practice
PAR-02-042
Posted: 20-DEC-01
Expires: 23-JUN-03

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. A growing body of evidence indicates that the number of individuals dying of colorectal cancer could be greatly reduced through appropriate screening. Although there is now general agreement that average-risk adults aged 50 and older should be screened for colorectal cancer, national survey data show less than half of eligible adults have ever been screened for this disease. Primary care practice is an important point of entry for colorectal cancer screening. The National Cancer Institute and Agency for Health Care Research and Quality are interested in promoting research to enhance understanding of colorectal cancer screening delivery, utilization, and outcomes in primary care practice. The objective of this Program Announcement is to encourage applications for exploratory/developmental grants (R21) designed to improve the delivery and uptake and evaluate the short-term outcomes of colorectal cancer screening in primary care practice.

Bioengineering Research Grants
PA-02-011
Posted: 11-OCT-01
Expires: 01-OCT-04

Participating Institutes and Centers (ICs) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invite applications for R01 awards to support Bioengineering Research Grants (BRGs) for basic and applied multi-disciplinary research that addresses important biological or medical research problems. The BRGs support multi- disciplinary research performed in a single laboratory or by a small number of investigators that applies an integrative, systems approach to develop knowledge and/or methods to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat disease or to understand health and behavior. A BRG application may propose hypothesis-driven, discovery-driven, developmental, or design-directed research at universities, national laboratories, medical schools, large or small businesses, or other public and private entities.

On October 1, 200l, NIH issued a related program announcement (PA) PAR-02-010 for Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRPs). The BRPs differ from the BRGs in that the BRP research will be performed by multi-disciplinary research teams from several laboratories or organizations and by several investigators.

Bioengineering Research Partnerships
PAR-02-010
Posted: 11-OCT-01
Expires: 12-AUG-02

Participating Institutes and Centers (ICs) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invite applications for R01 awards to support Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRPs) for basic and applied multi-disciplinary research that addresses important biological or medical research problems. A BRP is a multi- disciplinary research team applying an integrative, systems approach to develop knowledge and/or methods to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat disease or to understand health and behavior. The partnership must include appropriate bioengineering or allied quantitative sciences in combination with biomedical and/or clinical investigators. A BRP may propose hypothesis-driven, discovery- driven, developmental, or design-directed research at universities, national laboratories, medical schools, large or small businesses, or other public and private entities or combinations of these entities.

On October 1, 2001, NIH issued a related program announcement (PA) PA-02-011 for Bioengineering Research Grants (BRGs). The BRGs differ from the BRPs in that the BRG research will be performed in a single laboratory or by a small number of investigators.

Clinical Cancer Therapy Research
PA-02-002
Posted: 02-OCT-01
Expires: 02-OCT-03

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks grant applications to conduct clinical therapeutic studies/trials of neoplastic diseases in humans. Clinical research, by definition, is research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual. This Program Announcement (PA) encompasses a full range of therapeutic studies and clinical trials employing drugs, biologics, radiation, and surgery. The intent of the PA is to encourage clinical researchers to translate insights in cancer biology and the development of new agents into innovative cancer therapeutic studies

Applications of Innovative Technologies for the Molecular Analysis of Cancer: SBIR/STTR
PAR-01-107
Posted: 31-MAY-01
Expires: 22-JUL-03

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for research projects to evaluate the utility and pilot the application of molecular analysis technologies in studies relevant to cancer research. Molecular analysis technologies of interest include those that are entirely novel, or emerging but not currently in broad scale use where the technologies have not yet been demonstrated to be robust or reproducible in supporting molecular analysis in cancer research, or technologies currently in use for one application or set of applications, that are being evaluated for utility for alternative applications. The Program Announcement (PA) provides support for a first phase for technology evaluation and a second phase for pilot application of the technology in a study of biological interest to cancer research. The first (evaluation) phase should include proof of principle experiments that will demonstrate the utility of the technology on samples comparable to those that will be used in the second phase study. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the utility of all components of the process required for a fully integrated system, including sample preparation, molecular analysis assay, and data capture and analysis. The second (application) phase supports the transition of the technology optimized in the first (evaluation) phase to pilot application in a study of biological interest to cancer research. The design of the second phase study should allow the demonstration that the technology can reproducibly obtain molecular data from the selected sample type and produce information of biological interest to cancer research. Studies might appropriately target analysis of precancerous, cancerous, or metastatic cells, or host derived samples, from model cancer systems, preclinical or clinical research, or from population based research.

Technologies suited for this solicitation, include those that enable the detection of alterations and instabilities of genomic DNA; measurement of expression of genes and gene products; analysis and detection of gene and or cellular products including differential expression, quantitation, post translational modification, and function of proteins; identification of exogenous infectious agents in cancer; and assaying the function or major signal transduction networks involved in cancer. Additionally, technologies that will support molecular analysis in vitro, in situ, or in vivo (by imaging or other methods) are suitable for this PA. Technologies are defined as instrumentation, techniques, devices and analytical tools (e.g., computer software) but are distinct from resources such as databases, reagents, and tissue repositories.

Innovative Technologies for the Molecular Analysis of Cancer: Phased Innovation Award
PAR-01-104
Posted: 31-MAY-01
Expires: 22-JUL-03

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for research projects to develop novel technologies that will support the molecular analysis of cancers and their host environment in support of basic, clinical, and epidemiological research. Technology encompasses methods and tools that enable research including, but not limited to, instrumentation, techniques, devices, and analysis tools (e.g., computer software). Technology is distinct from resources such as databases, reagents, and tissue repositories. Applications for support of such resources will not be considered to be responsive to this Program Announcement (PA). Technologies solicited include those that are suitable for the detection of alterations and instabilities of genomic DNA; measurement of the expression of genes and gene products; analysis and detection of gene and or cellular products including post translational modification, and function of proteins; identification and characterization of exogenous infectious agents in cancer; and assaying the function of major signal transduction networks involved in cancer. This PA is intended to support the development of all required components of fully integrated systems for analysis including front end preparation of sample materials from cells, bodily fluids, and tumor specimens; novel chemistries or contrast agents; molecular detection systems; data acquisition methods; and data analysis tools. Technologies under consideration include those that will support molecular analysis either in vitro, in situ, or in vivo (by imaging or other methods) in the discovery process, as well as in pre-clinical models and clinical research.

Applications of Innovative Technologies for the Molecular Analysis of Cancer: Phased Innovation Award
PAR-01-106
Posted: 31-MAY-01
Expires: 22-JUL-03

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for research projects to evaluate the utility and pilot the application of molecular analysis technologies in studies relevant to cancer research. Molecular analysis technologies of interest include those that are entirely novel, or emerging but not currently in broad scale use where the technologies have not yet been demonstrated to be robust or reproducible in supporting molecular analysis in cancer research, or technologies currently in use for one application or set of applications, that are being evaluated for utility for alternative applications. The Program Announcement (PA) provides support for a first phase for technology evaluation and a second phase for pilot application of the technology in a study of biological interest to cancer research. The first (evaluation) phase should include proof of principle experiments that will demonstrate the utility of the technology on samples comparable to those that will be used in the second phase study. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the utility of all components of the process required for a fully integrated system, including sample preparation, molecular analysis assay, and data capture and analysis. The second (application) phase supports the transition of the technology optimized in the first (evaluation) phase to pilot application in a study of biological interest to cancer research. The design of the second phase study should allow the demonstration that the technology can reproducibly obtain molecular data from the selected sample type and produce information of biological interest to cancer research. Studies might appropriately target analysis of precancerous, cancerous, or metastatic cells, or host derived samples, from model cancer systems, preclinical or clinical research, or from population based research.

Technologies suited for this solicitation, include those that enable the detection of alterations and instabilities of genomic DNA; measurement of expression of genes and gene products; analysis and detection of gene and or cellular products including differential expression, quantitation, post translational modification, and function of proteins; identification of exogenous infectious agents in cancer; and assaying the function or major signal transduction networks involved in cancer. Additionally, technologies that will support molecular analysis in vitro, in situ, or in vivo (by imaging or other methods) are suitable for this PA. Technologies are defined as instrumentation, techniques, devices and analytical tools (e.g., computer software) but are distinct from resources such as databases, reagents, and tissue repositories.

Innovative Technologies for the Molecular Analysis of Cancer: SBIR/STTR
PAR-01-105
Posted: 31-MAY-01
Expires: 22-JUL-03

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for research projects to develop novel technologies that will support the molecular analysis of cancers and their host environment in support of basic, clinical, and epidemiological research. Technology encompasses methods and tools that enable research including, but not limited to, instrumentation, techniques, devices, and analysis tools (e.g., computer software). Technology is distinct from resources such as databases, reagents, and tissue repositories. Applications for support of such resources will not be considered to be responsive to this Program Announcement (PA). Technologies solicited include those that are suitable for the detection of alterations and instabilities of genomic DNA; measurement of the expression of genes and gene products; analysis and detection of gene and or cellular products including post translational modification, and function of proteins; identification and characterization of exogenous infectious agents in cancer; and assaying the function of major signal transduction networks involved in cancer. This PA is intended to support the development of all required components of fully integrated systems for analysis including front end preparation of sample materials from cells, bodily fluids, and tumor specimens; novel chemistries or contrast agents; molecular detection systems; data acquisition methods; and data analysis tools. Technologies under consideration include those that will support molecular analysis either in vitro, in situ, or in vivo (by imaging or other methods) in the discovery process, as well as in pre-clinical models and clinical research.

Development of Novel Technologies for In Vivo Imaging (Phased Innovation Award)
PAR-01-101
Posted: 29-MAY-01
Expires: 16-JUL-02

PURPOSE The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the development of novel image acquisition or enhancement methods for in vivo oncology, and which incorporate limited pilot or clinical feasibility evaluations using either pre-clinical models or clinical studies. This initiative is primarily intended to facilitate the development of novel imaging technologies for early detection, screening, diagnosis or image guided treatment of cancer and to facilitate specifically limited evaluation studies to show proof of concept. Specific emphasis of this PAR is directed at (a) the development of highly innovative image acquisition and enhancement methods, including high risk/high gain research on technologies that exploit our knowledge of the molecular basis of cancer, and (b) the development of other novel imaging methods and the integration of these technologies with emerging molecular imaging methods, where appropriate, for more effective health care delivery.

The primary motivation for this Program Announcement (PA) is that current technologies for the molecular analysis of disease are largely restricted to in vitro methods and need to be extended to the in vivo situation. Furthermore, the use of molecular probes or tracers for imaging molecular events in pre-clinical and clinical investigations are essential for detection of molecular changes in vivo. Developments of innovative, high-resolution imaging methods at the cellular or molecular scales are needed, with particular emphasis on identification and characterization of processes in the early formation of disease or early molecular changes during intervention or therapy. Integrations of these emerging molecular imaging methods with advances in traditional imaging methods are also required for more effective cancer investigations in vivo.

Development of Novel Technologies for In Vivo Imaging (SBIR/STTR)
PAR-01-102
Posted: 29-MAY-01
Expires: 16-JUL-02

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invite applications for the development of novel image acquisition or enhancement methods, and which may incorporate limited pilot or clinical feasibility evaluations using either pre-clinical models or clinical studies. This initiative is intended to facilitate the proof of feasibility and development of novel imaging technologies for early detection, screening, diagnosis or image guided treatment of cancer (NCI) and environmentally induced diseases (NIEHS), and to facilitate clinical evaluation studies of the development that are specifically limited to proof of concept. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) may accept assignments of grant applications that address development of novel imaging technologies that are not organ or disease specific. Specific emphasis of this PAR is directed at (a) the development of highly innovative image acquisition and enhancement methods, including high risk/high gain research on technologies that exploit our knowledge of the molecular basis of cancer and environmentally induced diseases, and (b) the development of other novel imaging methods and the integration of these technologies with emerging molecular imaging methods, where appropriate, for more effective health care delivery.

The motivation for this Program Announcement (PA) is that current technologies for the molecular analysis of disease are largely restricted to in vitro methods and need to be extended to the in vivo situation. Furthermore, developments of molecular probes or tracers for imaging molecular events in pre-clinical and clinical investigations are essential for detection of molecular changes in vivo. Developments of innovative, high-resolution imaging methods at the cellular or molecular scales are needed, with particular emphasis on identification and characterization of processes in the early formation of disease or early molecular changes during intervention or therapy. Integrations of these emerging molecular imaging methods with advances in traditional imaging methods are also required for more effective in vivo investigations of environmentally induced disease and cancer.

Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Research Network
HL-01-004
Posted: 04-JAN-01
Expires: 05-JAN-04

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute invite applications to participate in a Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Research Network (Network) of interactive clinical research groups. This network will promote the efficient comparison of novel treatment methods and management strategies of potential benefit for children and adults undergoing blood or marrow transplantation. The objective of these Requests for Applications (RFAs) is to establish and maintain (1) the infrastructure required for a network of up to twenty core clinical centers to perform multiple clinical trials for persons undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplant and (2) a Data Coordinating Center for the network. The project period for the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Research Network will be five years. There will be an administrative review after approximately three years to determine if the network has been performing important comparative studies as envisioned. If so, the announcement of a competitive renewal for an additional five years is anticipated. Thus the network is expected to be funded for a maximum of ten years.

Pathogenesis and Treatment of Lymphedema
PA-01-035
Posted: 14-DEC-00
Expires: 31-DEC-03

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invite qualified researchers to submit applications for research project grants to investigate the pathogenesis and new treatments for primary and secondary lymphedema. The purpose of this program announcement is to stimulate research on the biology of the lymphatic system, and to characterize at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and intact organism levels, the pathophysiologic mechanisms that cause the disease, and to discover new therapeutic interventions. The scope of this research includes developmental biology and genetics of the lymphatic system to identify and characterize genes important for its organization and regulation. Such knowledge will help to improve early diagnosis of affected individuals, the choice and timing of treatment, and genetic counseling. Research is also needed on the pathophysiology of the disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue secondary to chronic lymphedema, and lymphedema which results from cancers and cancer treatment, with an ultimate goal to develop more targeted and effective therapies.

Exploratory/Developmental Grants for Diagnostic Cancer Imaging
PA-01-030
Posted: 08-DEC-00
Expires: 08-DEC-03

The Biomedical Imaging Program (BIP), of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) solicits exploratory/developmental (R21) grants that articulate highly innovative research concepts in diagnostic cancer imaging. Within each area of importance in imaging, there exists a need for innovative and creative approaches leading to new avenues of research. One way to encourage research into high risk/high impact areas is to provide investigators with the initial resources required to accomplish feasibility and pilot testing of innovative ideas. The R21 mechanism will provide investigators at all career levels with a defined level of funding adequate for the initial feasibility testing of high risk/high impact concepts and, if the concepts are viable, for the generation of experimental preliminary data. This would render the investigators competitive for continued funding through other NIH research award mechanisms, thus potentially leading to the establishment of new research programs in areas that might have previously remained unexplored.

Change of Receipt Date for in Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging
CA-01-008
Posted: 31-OCT-00
Expires: 31-DEC-01

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) wishes to give notice of a change of receipt date for applications submitted in response to RFA CA-01-014, IN VIVO CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR IMAGING CENTERS (ICMICs). This RFA appeared in the August 7, 2000 issue of the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts and can be accessed at the following URL: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-01-014.html. The previous receipt date of November 28, 2000 has been changed to February 16, 2001.

Innovations in Biomedical Information Science and Technology: Phased Innovation
PA-00-117
Posted: 29-JUN-00
Expires: 27-NOV-02

Participating Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health invite applications for innovative research in biomedical information science and technology to promote the progress of biomedical research. There exists an expanding opportunity to speed the progress of biomedical research through the power of computing to manage and analyze data and to model biological processes. The NIH is interested in promoting research and developments in biomedical information science and technology that will support rapid progress in areas of scientific opportunity in biomedical research. As defined here, biomedical computing or biomedical information science and technology includes database design, graphical interfaces, querying approaches, data retrieval, data visualization and manipulation, data integration through the development of integrated analytical tools, synthesis, and tools for electronic collaboration, as well as computational research including the development of structural, functional, integrative, and analytical models and simulations. This program announcement (PA), Innovation in Biomedical Information Science and Technology, will utilize the Phased Innovation Award Mechanism (R21/R33). Specific features of this mechanism will include: o Single submission and evaluation of both a feasibility/pilot phase (R21) and an expanded development phase (R33) as one application. o Expedited transition of the R21 feasibility phase to a R33 development phase. o Flexible budgets. o Flexible staging of feasibility and development phases.

Innovations in Biomedical Information Science and Technology: SBIR/STTR
PA-00-118
Posted: 29-JUN-00
Expires: 15-DEC-02

Participating Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health invite applications for innovative research in biomedical information science and technology to promote the progress of biomedical research.

There exists an expanding opportunity to speed the progress of biomedical research through the power of computing to manage and analyze data and to model biological processes. The NIH is interested in promoting research and developments in biomedical information science and technology that will support rapid progress in areas of scientific opportunity in biomedical research. As defined here biomedical computing or biomedical information science and technology includes, database design, graphical interfaces, querying approaches, data retrieval, data visualization and manipulation, data integration through the development of integrated analytical tools, synthesis, and tools for electronic collaboration, as well as computational research including the development of structural, functional, integrative, and analytical models and simulations.

Planning Grants: National Programs of Excellence in Biomedical
PAR-00-102
Posted: 29-JUN-00
Expires: 28-NOV-02

There exists an expanding opportunity to speed the progress of biomedical research through the power of computing primarily in areas concerning management and analysis of data and modeling biological processes. The NIH is interested in establishing NPEBC to promote research and developments in biomedical information science and technology that will support rapid progress in areas of scientific opportunity in biomedical research. As defined here, biomedical computing or biomedical information science and technology includes database design, graphical interfaces, querying approaches, data retrieval, data visualization and manipulation, data integration through the development of integrated analytical tools, synthesis, data archiving, data exchange, tools for electronic collaboration, and computational research including the development of structural, functional, integrative, and analytical models and simulations. The NPEBCs are also intended to create an infrastructure of excellence in biomedical information science and technology that will support and promote multidisciplinary research and provide the environment in which to train a new generation of researchers.

Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative
PA-00-018
Posted: 02-DEC-99
Expires: 15-DEC-02

This Program Announcement (PA), issued as an initiative of the trans-NIH Bioengineering Consortium (BECON), invites grant applications for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects on nanotechnologies useful to biomedicine. Nanotechnology is defined as the creation of functional materials, devices and systems through control of matter at the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers, and the exploitation of novel properties and phenomena at the same scale. Nanotechnology is emerging as a field critical for enabling essential breakthroughs that may have tremendous potential for affecting biomedicine. Moreover, nanotechnologies developed in the next several years may well form the foundation of significant commercial platforms.

In recognition of the nascence of this area, the duration and amounts of individual grants awarded under this PA may be greater than those routinely allowed under the SBIR program. Few small businesses possess the highly specialized resources needed for nanoengineering. Therefore, this PA encourages team approaches to research in the belief that a synergistic blend of expertise and resources may be needed to allow for stronger partnerships between the small businesses and other entities in Phase I than can be developed with the funds usually available through this program. Applications are encouraged from teams of investigators from commercial, academic and other sectors of the research community. Partners to the small businesses may play important roles in these projects and may receive appropriate support for their efforts. In addition to requiring collaboration from various sectors, it is expected that this initiative will require expertise from a variety of disciplines, including engineering, chemistry, physics, material science, engineering, and biology.

Bioengineering Research Grants
PAR-99-009
Posted: 29-OCT-98
Expires: 30-OCT-01

Participating Institutes and Centers (ICs) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invite applications for Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) to support basic bioengineering research whose outcomes are likely to advance health or health-related research within the mission of the NIH. A BRG application should propose to apply basic bioengineering design-directed or hypothesis-driven research to an important medical or biological research area.

In parallel with this program announcement (PA), NIH is issuing a PA for Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRP). BRP applications differ from BRG applications in that they will be funded as R24 awards that support an interdisciplinary group of Partners who work together applying an integrative, multidisciplinary, systems approach to a significant area of basic bioengineering research.