Innovations in Cancer Sample Preparation (Sbir/Sttr)

The summary for the Innovations in Cancer Sample Preparation (Sbir/Sttr) grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the National Institutes of Health, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Innovations in Cancer Sample Preparation (Sbir/Sttr): This RFA will utilize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanisms, but will be run in parallel with a RFA of identical scientific scope (CA-05-004, http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-05-004.html) that will utilize the exploratory/developmental research Phase I (R21) mechanism, the exploratory/developmental research Phase II (R33) mechanism, and the phased innovation (R21/R33) mechanisms. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for research projects involving the development and significant enhancement or adaptation of sample preparation methodologies and technologies, the development of assays to assess sample quality, and studies designed to elucidate the criteria by which to judge sample quality. The outcome will be products and methods designed to optimize sample utility. Samples may originate from residual material not necessary for patient care or from cell lines, model organisms, or other sources relevant to cancer research. The development of new and/or improved cancer sample preparation methodologies and technologies, the development of assays to assess sample quality, and studies to elucidate the criteria needed to judge sample quality cover a wide range of project sizes and innovation levels. This RFA will allow the submission of applications involving Phase I, Phase II, and Fast- Track mechanisms. Phase I (R41 or R43) applicants may propose small, highly innovative feasibility studies or small, short-term exploratory studies to meet one of the RFA goals. Fast-Track applicants should propose projects that require a small feasibility study followed by a well-defined development plan. Successful completion of the Phase I feasibility study and the resulting transition to Phase II will be judged by NCI staff according to Fast-Track review criteria. Projects for which feasibility has already been established through the award of a Phase I grant (through this or another relevant RFA) may be proposed as Phase II (R42 or R44) applications. Feasibility means that some preliminary experiments have been performed and that sufficient technical data exist to support proof of principle of the technology/hypothesis. This initiative is part of a broader technology development program within the NCI. That program underscores the desire of NCI to develop and integrate novel technologies focused on the molecular analysis of cancers and their micro-environment in support of cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment. In the research continuum of discovery, development, and delivery, this program thus emphasizes the link between development and delivery. This specific initiative aims to foster the development of sample preparation techniques and methodologies that are essential for effective research, technology development, and validation that will eventually lead to clinical applications. This RFA capitalizes on both the success and intent of the original NCI- sponsored Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program in bringing together a multi-disciplinary group of scientists and engineers to work on cancer and the expansion of interest in technology development across the NCI and other NIH institutes and centers. This continuation of the IMAT program consists of the following three initiatives: Innovative Technologies for the Molecular Analysis of Cancer; Innovations in Cancer Sample Preparation; and Application of Emerging Technologies for Cancer Research. This RFA is designed to support research focused on sample preparation methods. Projects focused on the development of novel technologies may be most suitable for RFA (CA-05-006), Innovative Technologies for the Molecular Analysis of Cancer SBIR/STTR (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa- files/RFA-CA-05-006.html ). Projects focused on evaluating emerging technologies that are ready for initial clinical or biological application in cancer research may be most suitable for RFA (CA-05-007), Application of Emerging Technologies for Cancer Research SBIR/STTR (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-05-007.html) (see MECHANISM OF SUPPORT).