NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Academic Community Sites (UG1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

The NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Academic Community Sites funding opportunity is administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This program is part of a broader initiative to expand cancer research beyond academic medical centers and into community-based settings. The NCORP network aims to increase the generalizability of cancer research findings by engaging diverse patient populations across community hospitals, oncology practices, and healthcare systems. This specific opportunity focuses on Academic Community Sites, which are consortia led by academic institutions with established infrastructures to support clinical research across affiliated community providers. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support participation in cancer control, prevention, and care delivery research, as well as to enhance access to clinical trials conducted through the National Clinical Trials Network. Academic Community Sites are expected to play a central role in linking academic expertise with community-based patient populations. These sites must support participant accrual, contribute to research design and feasibility discussions, and facilitate implementation of studies across their affiliated networks. The program emphasizes improving representation in clinical trials, advancing cancer prevention strategies, and enhancing care delivery practices. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, which includes substantial involvement from NIH program staff. While there is no fixed budget cap for individual awards, applicants must justify their requested funding based on projected patient accrual and infrastructure needs. The total program funding is anticipated to be approximately 73 million dollars in fiscal year 2027, supporting up to 50 awards across both Community and Academic Community Sites. The project period for each award is six years. Funding supports operational costs associated with conducting research, including patient accrual activities, data management, regulatory compliance, and coordination across affiliate sites. Routine patient care costs are not allowable under this funding opportunity. Eligibility is broad and includes higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and various levels of government, provided they meet the definition of an academic center with integrated clinical and research capabilities. However, foreign organizations and certain federal entities are excluded. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to manage a network of affiliated sites and meet specific accrual benchmarks, including enrolling a minimum number of participants annually across different research categories. Additional requirements include participation in centralized review boards, adherence to regulatory standards, and engagement in community outreach to support recruitment and retention. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov using one of several approved systems, including NIH ASSIST or institutional system-to-system solutions. Applicants must follow detailed instructions outlined in the NIH Application Guide and this funding announcement. Required components include organizational descriptions, research strategy, data management plans, and multiple supporting attachments documenting prior research accrual and operational capacity. Applications must comply fully with submission guidelines to be considered for review. Key dates for this opportunity include an opening date of August 18, 2026, and a submission deadline of September 18, 2026. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. The review process includes scientific merit evaluation in March 2027, followed by advisory council review in May 2027, with the earliest anticipated start date in July 2027. This funding opportunity does not indicate recurring cycles, and late applications will not be accepted. For additional inquiries, applicants may contact the NCORP Director via email or reach out to designated NIH offices for submission or review-related questions.

Strong emphasis on demonstrating patient accrual capacity, operational infrastructure, and ability to engage diverse community populations; ensure strict compliance with NIH submission requirements and include detailed supporting documentation