NCI Cancer Screening Research Network: Statistics and Data Management Center (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) | RFA CA 23 021

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 23 021

The funding opportunity titled "NCI Cancer Screening Research Network: Statistics and Data Management Center (UG1 Clinical Trial Required)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-CA-23-021) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative agreement intended to build the central statistical and data infrastructure for a new, national Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN). This FOA is one of three companion announcements that together establish the broader CSRN effort. The core purpose of the CSRN is to enable and run multi-center cancer screening clinical trials and related studies at a national scale, with an emphasis on research that improves early detection and tests emerging screening approaches in real-world healthcare environments. The long-term public health aim is to reduce cancer incidence and lessen cancer-related illness and deaths by improving how screening is performed, evaluated, and implemented.

Within that larger network, the Statistics and Data Management Center is meant to serve as the backbone for trial operations that depend on rigorous study design, high-quality data collection, and credible analysis. In practical terms, the center funded under this FOA would typically be responsible for functions like statistical leadership for protocol development, randomization and trial design support, data coordination across multiple participating sites, database development and maintenance, data quality monitoring, harmonization of data elements, interim and final analyses, reporting, and support for regulatory-compliant data practices. Because the activity is listed as "Clinical Trial Required" under a UG1 cooperative agreement mechanism, the work is expected to be closely coordinated with NCI program staff and aligned with the execution of multi-site screening trials and studies rather than being purely observational or purely methodological.

A defining feature of the CSRN described in the announcement is its intent to leverage large and diverse populations who are already receiving routine care across many types of healthcare settings. That focus signals a strong interest in studies that are feasible in everyday clinical practice, can recruit broadly across different communities, and can evaluate screening modalities as they might actually be deployed. The network is positioned to address questions about improving existing screening pathways, increasing appropriate screening uptake, reducing disparities, and assessing new or emerging screening tests or strategies, all using rigorous multi-center study designs.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common U.S.-based applicant types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the opportunity makes clear that non-U.S. entities are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed, reinforcing that the funded infrastructure and activities must be domestic.

Administratively, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with NCI leadership, and the program is categorized under Education and Health. The CFDA numbers associated with the opportunity are 93.393, 93.394, and 93.399. The original closing date listed is February 28, 2023, and the FOA was created on November 17, 2022. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text for budget guidance, project period expectations, and the exact scope of required center activities and deliverables.

Overall, this announcement is aimed at establishing a centralized, network-wide statistics and data management hub that can support complex, multi-site cancer screening trials, ensure data integrity and comparability across settings, and generate high-confidence evidence about screening approaches that can improve early detection and ultimately reduce the burden of cancer.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI Cancer Screening Research Network: Statistics and Data Management Center (UG1 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-11-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-28. (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 23 021

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