Forecast to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Advanced Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional)

The Advanced Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management funding opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the National Cancer Institute. This program is part of the Informatics Technology for Cancer Research initiative, which focuses on advancing computational and data-driven tools to support cancer research across its full continuum. The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning that federal program staff will have substantial involvement in guiding and coordinating funded projects alongside recipients. The overarching goal is to enhance technologies that improve the acquisition, analysis, visualization, and interpretation of cancer-related data. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the advanced development and dissemination of emerging informatics technologies that have already passed early prototyping stages and demonstrate strong potential for broad impact. These technologies must address needs across cancer biology, clinical research, early detection, prevention, epidemiology, and patient care. Applicants are expected to show how their tools offer clear advantages over existing solutions, and how they will engage end users throughout development. The program emphasizes usability, scalability, and community adoption, with required plans for outreach, collaboration, and training. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities related to software and informatics development, including machine learning models, data integration platforms, visualization tools, and clinical decision support systems. Projects must focus primarily on technology enhancement rather than data generation, which is limited to a small portion of the budget. Awardees are also required to allocate a portion of their funding to collaborative activities and participate in program-wide initiatives. There is no cost-sharing requirement for applicants. Eligible applicants include a broad array of organizations such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit entities, and government agencies, including foreign organizations. However, certain restrictions apply, such as limitations on foreign subawards. Individuals serving as principal investigators must have the necessary expertise and be affiliated with an eligible organization. All applicants must complete required federal registrations, including SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, prior to submission. Applications must be submitted electronically through approved systems such as Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST. The submission process requires adherence to detailed NIH application instructions, including completion of standard forms and a comprehensive research strategy. Required components include plans for software sharing, data management, user engagement, and validation of methods. Applications are evaluated through a rigorous peer review process based on criteria such as significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and environment. The application timeline includes multiple due dates within the funding cycle, with submissions accepted beginning June 1, 2026, and deadlines on July 1, 2026 and October 19, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time on the deadline date. The review process includes scientific merit review, advisory council review, and funding decisions, with earliest project start dates beginning in April 2027. Awards may last up to five years, with annual progress reporting required. The program is recurring and part of an ongoing NIH initiative, with similar funding opportunities issued periodically. Applicants are encouraged to engage early with program contacts for guidance on project alignment. For questions, applicants may contact the National Cancer Institute via the provided program email address. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant investment in advancing informatics tools that can accelerate cancer research and improve outcomes across the healthcare system.

Emphasize clear advantage over existing technologies; demonstrate strong user engagement plans; provide evidence of prior tool impact; include realistic milestones and validation strategies