Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 20 004
This grant opportunity, titled "Research Answers to National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Provocative Questions (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-CA-20-004), is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative run through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that funds research projects aimed at tackling a defined set of high-impact, underexplored problems in cancer research. The central idea is that certain cancer questions remain stubbornly unanswered not because they are unimportant, but because they have been overlooked, considered too difficult, or have fallen between the cracks of traditional research programs. NCI's Provocative Questions (PQ) Initiative tries to correct that by explicitly naming the problems as questions and inviting investigators to build focused research projects that directly address them.
A key feature of this FOA is that applicants must anchor their proposal to one specific Provocative Question from the current list of 12 PQs issued under this cycle. In other words, the research is not meant to be broad or loosely connected to general cancer priorities; it needs to be clearly aligned with the scientific problem framed by the chosen PQ. The PQs themselves are described as a mix of (1) older observations that were intriguing but never fully investigated, (2) newer findings that are paradoxical or confusing and highlight major gaps in current understanding, and (3) problems that were historically viewed as intractable but may now be solvable thanks to modern methods, new technologies, or innovative study designs.
The award uses the NIH R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven (or strongly rationale-driven) research projects that can produce meaningful advances in knowledge. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which signals that clinical trials are allowed if they are scientifically appropriate for answering the selected PQ, but they are not required. Applicants can propose basic, translational, clinical, population, behavioral, computational, or other research approaches as long as the work is tightly connected to the specific PQ being targeted.
Another emphasis is on encouraging projects that borrow tools and thinking from multiple fields when that helps solve the PQ. The FOA explicitly notes that multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches are welcomed, provided they are in service of the specific question rather than adding complexity for its own sake. This reflects NCI's intent to stimulate creative problem-solving, including combining perspectives across biology, medicine, engineering, data science, epidemiology, behavioral science, and other relevant disciplines.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and several categories beyond the usual academic applicants. Eligible applicants include 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 Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations, indicating a strong openness to diverse institutional participation and settings.
The opportunity falls under NIH's discretionary grant funding and is aligned with health and education-related federal assistance categories, listing CFDA numbers 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399. The original closing date shown is November 17, 2020, and while the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided text, the overall structure is consistent with NIH FOAs where final funding levels depend on appropriations, proposal quality, and program priorities within the defined PQ framework.
Overall, this FOA is best understood as a targeted R01 competition where NCI is trying to steer strong investigator-initiated science toward a small set of carefully chosen cancer research puzzles. The program is designed to reward proposals that are sharply focused on one provocative question, scientifically rigorous, and creative enough to unlock progress in areas where conventional approaches have not been sufficient.Apply for RFA CA 20 004
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Answers to National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Provocative Questions (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): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-01-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-17. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Research Answers to National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Provocative Questions (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-CA-20-004.
Which federal agencies are involved in this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative run through the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to fund research projects that address a defined set of high-impact, underexplored problems in cancer research that have been overlooked, considered too difficult, or not well served by traditional research programs.
What is the NCI Provocative Questions (PQ) Initiative?
The NCI Provocative Questions Initiative is an approach where NCI explicitly frames important cancer research gaps as specific questions and invites investigators to propose focused projects that directly answer one of those questions.
How specific does my application need to be to the Provocative Questions?
Applicants must anchor their proposal to one specific Provocative Question from the current list of 12 PQs for this cycle. The project should not be broad or loosely connected; it needs clear alignment to the selected PQ.
How many Provocative Questions are included in this cycle?
This cycle includes 12 Provocative Questions.
What kinds of problems do the Provocative Questions focus on?
The PQs are described as: (1) older intriguing observations that were never fully investigated, (2) newer findings that are paradoxical or confusing and expose major knowledge gaps, and (3) problems historically viewed as intractable that may now be solvable due to modern methods, technologies, or innovative study designs.
What grant mechanism does this funding opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism.
What does "R01" imply about the type of project expected?
It indicates a substantial, hypothesis-driven (or strongly rationale-driven) research project intended to produce meaningful advances in knowledge.
Are clinical trials required under this FOA?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning clinical trials are allowed if scientifically appropriate for answering the selected PQ, but they are not required.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
Yes. Clinical trials may be proposed if they are scientifically appropriate to answer the selected Provocative Question.
What types of research approaches are allowed?
Applicants may propose basic, translational, clinical, population, behavioral, computational, or other research approaches, as long as the work is tightly connected to the specific Provocative Question being targeted.
Does the FOA encourage multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary research?
Yes. Multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches are welcomed when they help solve the selected Provocative Question and are not included merely to add complexity.
What disciplines does NCI suggest could be relevant for these projects?
The FOA highlights combining perspectives across areas such as biology, medicine, engineering, data science, epidemiology, behavioral science, and other relevant fields, when appropriate for the chosen PQ.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and several additional categories beyond typical academic applicants.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments, as well as special district governments.
Are educational institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and Native American tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments) are also included as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Are housing authorities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA highlights faith-based or community-based organizations as eligible.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are specifically noted as eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA indicates eligibility for U.S. territories or possessions.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are explicitly indicated as eligible.
What kind of funding is this (mandatory vs discretionary)?
This opportunity falls under NIH's discretionary grant funding.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA numbers 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399.
What is the application closing date shown in the provided information?
The original closing date shown is November 17, 2020.
Is the award ceiling listed in the provided information?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided text.
Is the expected number of awards listed in the provided information?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided text.
How is this FOA best described overall?
It is a targeted R01 competition where NCI aims to steer strong investigator-initiated science toward a small set of carefully chosen cancer research puzzles, rewarding projects that are sharply focused on one Provocative Question, scientifically rigorous, and creatively designed to make progress where conventional approaches have not been sufficient.
Does this FOA support broad cancer research priorities?
The FOA emphasizes that projects should not be broad or only loosely connected to cancer priorities; they must be directly aligned with one specific Provocative Question.
What factors may influence final funding levels under this FOA?
Based on the provided information, final funding levels are consistent with NIH FOAs where funding depends on appropriations, proposal quality, and program priorities within the defined Provocative Question framework.
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