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NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Three RFAS - PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288) - October 2026 Deadline

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 4* (see below) // Tickets Available: 4

Cancer Data Science // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Cancer Control Science // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 

Molecular Precision/Cancer Prevention // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 

Other Cancer Research // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Each eligible institution (defined as having a unique UEI number or NIH IPF number) may submit up to a combined total of four applications (one in Cancer Data Science, one in Cancer Control Science, one in Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention, and one in Other Cancer Research) to any companion NOFO or any combination of companion NOFOs (PAR-23-286, PAR-23-287, and/or PAR-23-288).

Scientific Areas

  • (A) Cancer Data Science: For the purposes of this K99/R00 award, cancer data science is defined as an interdisciplinary field of inquiry in which quantitative and analytical approaches, processes, and systems are both developed and used to extract knowledge and insights from increasingly large and/or complex sets of data. This includes cancer-focused data integration and visualization, systems biology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, informatics, genomics, precision oncology, and developing analytics for epidemiological or biostatistical studies.
  • (B) Cancer Control Science: For the purposes of this K99/R00 award, cancer control science is defined as basic and applied research in the behavioral, social, and population sciences to create or enhance interventions that, independently or in combination with biomedical approaches reduce cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and improve quality of life. This includes research in epidemiology, behavioral sciences, health services, surveillance, cancer survivorship, and healthcare policy.
  • (C) Molecular/Precision Cancer Prevention: For the purpose of this K99/R00 award, early translational research in cancer prevention is defined as basic research to understand mechanisms of cancer formation, development and progression of cancer precursors, and to translate basic biological knowledge into novel human interventions and human-centered adaption of current interventions with the potential to reduce cancer risk, incidence, and mortality, and improve quality of life. This includes but is not limited to research in molecular and systems biology, diagnostics, vaccine and drug development, pharmacology, and biomedical engineering.
  • (D) Other Cancer Research: For the purposes of this K99/R00 award, "Other Cancer Research" includes all scientific fields supported by the NCI that are not included in (A), (B) or (C). Applicants proposing research in (D) "Other Cancer Research" may apply only if it is reasonable to expect their candidates to transition to independence with an abbreviated period of mentored research training beyond their original doctoral degrees."
Funding Type
External Deadline
10/14/2026
Internal Deadline
Internal Time
5:00PM
Solicitation Type

Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
One nominated candidate per eligible institution is accepted per year

Program Overview
The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars program funds basic biomedical research in the fields of cancer, immunology, and neuroscience, as well as pain, through the Rita Allen Foundation Award in Pain. The Rita Allen Foundation Scholars program has supported more than 200 scientists since 1976. The program embraces innovative research with above-average risk and groundbreaking possibilities. Scholars have gone on to win the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the National Medal of Science, the Wolf Prize in Medicine and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences.

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here. 

Award Amount
Scholars can receive up to $110,000 per year for a maximum of five years. Recipients of the Award in Pain can be granted $50,000 per year for up to three years.

Eligibility
To be eligible for a Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Award, candidates must either apply through the Scholars Award in Pain or be nominated by an eligible institution and have completed their training and provided persuasive evidence of distinguished achievement or extraordinary promise in research in one of the relevant fields (cancer, immunology, neuroscience. or pain). United States citizenship is not a requirement; however, awardees must be legally employed at the time of application at a U.S. degree-granting or research institution that is an invited participant in the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars Program. Awards are made to the 501(c)(3) organization; awards are not made to an individual. Scholars must perform research at a non-profit institution in the U.S. during the entire period of Rita Allen Foundation support.

Institutions should consider the following when considering whom to nominate for the Rita Allen Foundation Scholars program: 

  • Candidates should be independent investigators in the early stages of their careers and research. 
  • The caliber of early-stage investigators suggests nominees would be appointed to tenure-track positions at their respective institutions. 
  • It is preferable that candidates be in the first three years of their tenure track. (This is taken into consideration in the rating of applications by the Scientific Advisory Committee.) 
  • A senior postdoc should not be a candidate; wait until s/he is in a tenure-track position, as described. 
  • Associate professors should not be candidates. 
  • Candidates must have received committed startup funds from their respective institutions. 
  • Candidates must have lab space from their institutions. 

Rita Allen Foundation Scholars may not accept an award from the Beckman Young Investigator Program, Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, Searle Scholars Program, or Vallee Scholars Program that would take effect beginning in year one of the RAF award. Rita Allen Scholars may apply for awards from these organizations that would take effect beginning in year two of the RAF award. Other sources of funding also may influence selection. 

Funding Type
External Deadline
9/3/2026 (LOI; Anticipated)
Internal Deadline
Internal Time
5:00PM
Solicitation Type

Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Research Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique UEI or NIH IPF number) is allowed.

Purpose
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications for a Research Coordinating Center (RCC) to participate in a consortium of clinical centers that will test anti-obesity medication (AOM) treatment strategies for youth with obesity that maximize benefits and minimize risks of AOM use. Such intervention strategies should support the promotion of healthy growth and development; adequate nutritional status/intake, healthy eating and physical activity behaviors; mental health and well-being (e.g., body image, self-esteem, mood, etc.), and quality of life and be feasible to implement in clinical care settings. Priority areas include testing strategies to determine optimal developmental stage for AOM initiation, rate and amount of weight loss, AOM class, dose, frequency, and duration, and content and intensity of adjunct lifestyle therapies that may be imperative to ensure normal psychological and physical development and to potentially avoid lifelong dependence on AOMs. Investigators should also evaluate potential predictors of response/ nonresponse to various treatment strategies under evaluation. The clinical centers may conduct independent or multicenter trials but will collaborate on the development of protocols, use of common measures and data elements, use of a central laboratory and standardized procedures to collect data and biospecimens, and data analyses and manuscripts

The RCC will lead, manage, and harmonize efforts for the Consortium including 1) providing management and administrative support; 2) providing leadership and expertise on statistical design and analysis, 3) providing research coordination with a central laboratory, 4) harmonizing data collection methods and use of common data elements, 5) developing the database; 6) conducting data management and data analyses for Consortium studies; and 7) fostering research collaborations. This NOFO uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U24) and runs in parallel with a companion NOFO (RFA-DK-27-121).

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here. 
 

Funding Type
External Deadline
10/9/2026
Internal Deadline
Internal Time
5:00PM
Solicitation Type

Optimal Treatment Strategies for use of Anti-Obesity Medications (AOMs) in Children and Adolescents Clinical Centers (U01 Clinical Trial Required)

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique UEI or NIH IPF number) is allowed.


Purpose
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites applications from clinical centers to participate in a consortium to test anti-obesity medication (AOM) treatment strategies for youth with obesity that maximize benefits and minimize risks of AOM use. Such intervention strategies should support the promotion of healthy growth and development; adequate nutritional status/intake, healthy eating and physical activity behaviors; mental health and well-being (e.g., body image, self-esteem, mood, etc.), and quality of life and be feasible to implement in clinical care settings. Priority areas include testing strategies to determine optimal developmental stage for AOM initiation, rate and amount of weight loss, AOM class, dose, frequency, and duration, and content and intensity of adjunct lifestyle therapies that may be imperative to ensure normal psychological and physical development and to potentially avoid lifelong dependence on AOMs.  Investigators should also evaluate potential predictors of response/ nonresponse to various treatment strategies under evaluation. The clinical centers may conduct independent or multicenter trials but will collaborate on the development of protocols, use of common measures and data elements, use of a central laboratory and standardized procedures to collect data and biospecimens, and data analyses and manuscripts. 

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here. 

Funding Type
External Deadline
10/9/2026
Internal Deadline
Internal Time
5:00PM
Solicitation Type

Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (ADRN) (U19 Clinical Trial Optional)

Apply to Internal Competition // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1

Limiting Language
Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique entity identifier (UEI) number or NIH IPF number) is allowed.

Purpose
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to solicit applications for the Atopic Dermatitis Research Network (ADRN) program. The ADRN program will support Centers that integrate clinical and translational research to improve our understanding and management of atopic dermatitis with emphasis on chronic skin inflammation and the defense mechanisms of the skin.

Full sponsor guidelines are linked here. 

Funding Type
External Deadline
9/24/2026
Internal Deadline
Internal Time
5:00PM
Solicitation Type

Seed Instrumentation Support (SIS) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Institutionally Coordinated, please contact limited submissions if you are intersted in applying for the September 2026 deadline. 

Upcoming Webinar
July 8, 2026, at 1:00 pm (EST).

Please register using the link below to secure your spot.
https://scgcorp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yoQC9j2mSAWyu7HcCxD8Dw#/registration 

Limiting Language
Applicant organizations may submit only one application, provided that the type of instrument does not currently exist in the applicant organization (identified by UEI).

Purpose
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aims to build new research capacity and develop a sustainable research program by supporting the purchase of a single commercially available biomedical research instrument currently unavailable in the institution. Instruments funded through this program must be shared among the users to create new research opportunities, enable reproducible data generation, encourage collaborative research and training, and strengthen long-term research capabilities. The minimum award is $50,000. While there is no limit on the total cost of the instrument, the maximum award is $400,000.

Research Category
External Deadline
9/25/2026
Solicitation Type

Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Institutionally Coordinated, please contact limited submissions if you are intersted in applying for the July 2026 deadline. 

Per NIH, proposals submitted to the 6/1/2026 SIG deadline should not be resubmitted to the 7/27/2026 deadline. 

Limiting Language
The University of Arizona may submit more than one proposal provided that each application is scientifically distinct. This is an Institutionally Coordinated Submission. 

Purpose
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announces the restructured Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program that consolidates three existing shared-use instrumentation programs, i.e., the Shared Instrumentation Grant program, the High-End Instrumentation Grant program, and the Basic Instrumentation Grant program. The NOFO invites applications from groups of NIH-supported investigators to purchase or upgrade a single state-of-the-art commercially available instrument or an integrated instrumentation system. The instruments purchased through the SIG Program are required to be optimally shared among the users to ensure efficient and cost-effective research operations, enable rigorous and reproducible measurements, and encourage collaborative research and benefit broad research communities at large. The minimum award is $300,000. There is no cap on the total cost of the instrument; however, the maximum award is $5,000,000.

Research Category
External Deadline
7/27/2026
Solicitation Type

2026 NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program

IMPORTNAT NOTE: 
We are proceeding with our normal internal competition schedule even though there is not currently a live solicitation for the NSF Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program. We are monitoring the program and will provide updates as they are available. If there are major changes in a new solicitation, we will work with applicants to respond accordingly. 

The deadline to submit pre-proposals has passed, RDS will communicate next steps to applicants once the solicitation is released // Limit: 4 (subject to change, see above) // Tickets Available: 4

Limiting Language
Each performing organization may submit in revised "Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted. As a result, it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within the Track limits as described above.

Inclusion as a funded subawardee on a development proposal at a level in excess of 20% of the total budget requested from NSF, or as a funded subawardee, when allowed, on any acquisition proposal, will be counted against an organization's proposal submission limit. If you plan to partner at a level in excess of 20%, please notify RDS by the internal deadline. 

Program Description

The NSF Major Research Instrumentation Grant is awaiting a new solicitation. The old solicitation for the program is linked here. The program page is linked here. Details from the previous solicitation are included below.

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.

MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.

An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit in revised "Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted. As a result, it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within the Track limits as described above.

  • Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100,0001 and less than $1,400,000.
  • Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000.
  • Track 3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,0001 and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.

Cost sharing requirements for new awards in the MRI Program are waived for a period of 5 years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition. Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals remain.

Research Category
External Deadline
AWAITING NEW SOLICITATION
Internal Deadline
Solicitation Type

2027 Schmidt Science Polymaths

Internal Competition Undergoing Peer Review // Limit: 2 // Tickets Available: 0

Limiting Language 
We welcome you to submit up to two nominations.

Eligibility Criteria
We ask that you only nominate exceptional candidates who satisfy the following criteria:

  • Have achieved tenure or an equivalent status prior to the nomination deadline and within the past three calendar years (between January 1, 2023 and August 10, 2026),
  • Have a remarkable record of accomplishment in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and/or engineering,
  • Have a demonstrated history of pursuing and publishing results in more than one field,
  • Have a desire and plan to expand their research portfolios by exploring a substantive disciplinary or methodological shift, but have not yet launched such shifts,
  • Demonstrate a need for additional funding to enable new experiments, explorations, or shifts in research directions.

Funding Goals
The Schmidt Science Polymath Program seeks to empower intensely creative, mid-career researchers to take adventurous leaps into new research domains, experiment with new methodologies and ideas, and inspire impactful scientific breakthroughs.

The Schmidt Science Polymath Program (“the program”) recognizes extraordinary researchers with remarkable track records, promising futures, and a desire to expand their research portfolios by exploring a substantive disciplinary or methodological shift soon after achieving tenure.

The program will offer research support to professors who have achieved tenure or an equivalent status within the past three calendar years with remarkable track records and highly promising futures. Each professor will be awarded $500,000 per year, paid through their institution, for up to five years to help support a research group through talent, collaboration, equipment, and/or other resources. These grants are intended to make possible the exploration of new ideas across disciplines, using emerging technologies to test risky theories that may not otherwise receive funding or support. They are not intended to relieve the researcher of pursuing other grants to continue their mainstream work, nor to be large enough to fully support a modern lab.

Schmidt Sciences are especially interested in supporting highly creative, original, and risky research that is clearly distinct from past areas and directions.

Funding Type
External Deadline
8/10/2026 (Nomination)
Internal Deadline
Solicitation Type

2027 Searle Scholars Program

Internal Competition Undergoing Peer Review // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available 0 

Limiting Language 
The University of Arizona is invited to nominate 1 individual to apply.

Program Description
Full sponsor guidelines are linked here.

The Searle Scholars Scientific Advisory Board is primarily interested in the potential of applicants to make innovative and high-impact contributions to research over an extended period of time.

Applicants for the 2027 competition (awards which will be activated on July 1, 2027) are expected to be pursuing independent research careers in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and related areas in chemistry, medicine, and the biological sciences.

Applicants should have begun their appointment as an independent investigator at the assistant professor level on or after May 1, 2025. The appointment must be their first tenure-track position (or its nearest equivalent).

Institutions which do not have tenure-track appointments should consult with the Scientific Director of the Program regarding eligibility of selected applicants PRIOR to nominating such individuals.

The Searle Scholars Program does not ordinarily support purely clinical research but has supported research programs that include both clinical and basic components. Potential applicants who are unsure if their research is appropriate for our Program are encouraged to examine the research interests of present and former Searle Scholars on this website.

Applicants who were nominated for awards in the previous competition year but were not awarded may still meet the eligibility criteria for the current competition. Institutions should consult with the Scientific Director of the Program regarding renomination of such individuals.

Funding Type
External Deadline
9/30/2026
Internal Deadline
Solicitation Type