NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Research Bases (UG1 Clinical Trial Required)

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health, is offering funding under the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Research Bases initiative. This program is designed to strengthen cancer research conducted in community settings by expanding access to clinical trials and improving the applicability of research findings across diverse populations. NCORP operates as a nationwide network that connects research institutions, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations to conduct studies focused on cancer prevention, control, treatment, and care delivery. The Research Bases component serves as the central infrastructure for scientific leadership, study development, and data management within this network. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support organizations that can design, implement, and analyze multi-institutional clinical trials and human subjects research in cancer control, prevention, and care delivery. Research Bases are expected to lead efforts in developing clinical trials, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing data, and supporting affiliated community and academic sites. The program emphasizes improving patient outcomes, reducing cancer incidence and mortality, and enhancing quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. Research activities must include cancer control research and may also include cancer prevention and cancer care delivery research. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from NIH program staff throughout the project period. The National Cancer Institute intends to commit approximately $74.5 million in fiscal year 2027 to fund up to seven awards. While application budgets are not capped, they must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project. The expected project period is six years. Funds may be used for study development, trial execution, data management, regulatory compliance, and operational infrastructure. However, costs associated with routine patient care, facility renovations, and certain laboratory research activities are not supported. Eligibility is broad but includes specific requirements. Applicants must be U.S.-based organizations such as higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, or government bodies. However, new applications must be submitted by entities with established cancer research capabilities, such as NCI-designated Cancer Centers, National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) groups, or affiliated cancer foundations. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, although limited collaboration with foreign components may be permitted under strict conditions. Applicants must also complete required federal registrations, including SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons, prior to submission. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or NIH systems such as ASSIST. Applicants must follow detailed instructions outlined in the NIH Application Guide and this funding announcement. Required components include detailed research plans, organizational structure documentation, data management plans, and multiple supporting attachments related to clinical trial performance and infrastructure. Applications will undergo a rigorous peer review process evaluating significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and research environment. Additional considerations include human subject protections, data management, and study feasibility. The application timeline includes an opening date of August 18, 2026, and a submission deadline of September 18, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Scientific review is expected in March 2027, followed by advisory council review in May 2027, with the earliest project start date anticipated in July 2027. This funding opportunity does not indicate recurring cycles but is part of a broader NCORP initiative with periodic reissuances. For questions, applicants may contact the NCORP Director at the National Cancer Institute via email at NCORP@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 240-276-7048.

Ensure strong institutional infrastructure and demonstrated clinical trial capability; align research with NCORP priorities; emphasize feasibility and patient impact