"Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) for Cancer Research" Selection of Appropriate Funding Opportunity


Notice Number: NOT-CA-12-006

Key Dates

Release Date: December 21, 2011

Issued by

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Purpose

This Notice is designed to help potential applicants identify appropriate Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) pertaining to the program Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) for Cancer that has been reissued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The goal of the IMAT Program is to develop tools and methods that enable cancer researchers to make new discoveries, enhance our understanding of cancer etiology and proliferation, improve detection capabilities, develop diagnostic methods and treatment strategies, conduct large population studies, address and reduce disparities in clinical care, and assist in clinical decision-making.

The IMAT Program supports research in the following areas (and will comprise four separate FOAs):

  • Innovative Technology Development for Cancer Research (RFA-CA-12-002, using the R21 funding mechanism), which is intended to support research projects that are centered on the inception and preliminary development of highly innovative technologies with potentially high impact on cancer research;
  • Emerging Technology Development for Cancer Research (RFA-CA-12-003, using the R33 funding mechanism), designed to support further development (beyond the initial phase) of emerging technologies that have the potential to be transformative when used for cancer research and/or in cancer-relevant clinical care; and
  • Innovative and Applied Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science (RFA-CA-12-004, using the R21 funding mechanism, and RFA-CA-12-005, using the R33 funding mechanism), which is centered on the development and validation of novel technologies for cancer-relevant biospecimens. The emphasis is on issues related to pre-analytical variations in the collection, processing, handling, and storage of cancer-relevant biospecimens or their derivatives to improve their quality and utility in cancer research.

The complete matrix of four IMAT FOAs is provided in the Table below along with basic requirements and total amounts of set-aside funds for each theme for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013.

Table. The matrix of IMAT RFAs and an outline of their characteristics.


Mechanism

Theme and Total Set-Aside Funds 

Innovative Technology Development for Cancer Research

$5M

Validation of Emerging Technologies in Cancer Research
$3.5M

Innovative and Emerging Technologies in Biospecimen Science

$1.5M

Project Type and General Requirements

R21

Exploratory-pilot
Required: Innovative technology/approacha; Quantitative milestonesb;
Not required (but allowed): Preliminary data.

RFA-CA-12-002

RFA-CA-12-004

R33

Developmental/ validation in a biological context

Required: Feasibility data

 

RFA-CA-12-003

RFA-CA-12-005

a) Even though preliminary data are not necessary, the applicants must demonstrate the innovative nature of the particular technology or approach proposed for development.

b) Quantitative milestones for each specific aim must be provided as a way of determining during the project and at its completion whether an applicant has successfully reached the specified goal. Milestones should be clearly stated as numerical quantitative specifications for relevant measures/properties.

Please note that for comprehensive information on all of the submission requirements (including critical aspects of responsiveness), it is essential that every applicant read the full individual IMAT FOA before preparing and submitting an application in response to the selected FOA.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Tony Dickherber, Ph.D.
Program Director
Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director
National Cancer Institute
31 Center Drive, Room 10A-33
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301) 827-4374
Email: dickherberaj@mail.nih.gov
http://innovation.cancer.gov