Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Assistance Listings
- 93.395 -- Cancer Treatment Research
- 93.121 -- Oral Diseases and Disorders Research
- 93.396 -- Cancer Biology Research
Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026
View version history on Grants.gov
Description
Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits grant applications proposing to utilize bacteria, archaebacteria, bacteriophages, or other non-oncolytic viruses and their natural products to study the underlying mechanisms of the complex interactions between microorganisms, tumors, and the immune system, and to explore their clinical potential for cancer imaging, therapeutics or diagnostics. Projects can focus on using microorganisms as anti-tumor agents, as activators of anti-tumor immunity, or as delivery vehicles for treatment, diagnosis, or imaging,...
complementing or synergizing with existing tools and approaches. This NOFO will support basic mechanistic and preclinical studies in cell culture and animal models. Applicants are encouraged to address both the microbial and tumor aspects of microbial tumor interactions relevant to microbial-based cancer therapy (including therapies for oral cancer), tumor imaging, tumor detection, or diagnosis.
The R21 FOA is intended to encourage exploratory projects that are at an early conceptual stage feasibility study (inception through preliminary development) to demonstrate the core functional capabilities of the proposed approach. The proposed projects may involve considerable risk and should be aimed at producing breakthroughs in microbial-based cancer therapy, imaging, or diagnosis.
This funding opportunity is part of broader NCI-sponsored research on microbial-based cancer therapy.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Government
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Public and Indian housing authorities
- State governments
- Special district governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
Business
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
Miscellaneous
- Other
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Additional information
Other Eligible Applicants include the following:
Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.
Grantor contact information
Description
NIH Grants Information
grantsinfo@nih.gov
See Section VII. Agency Contacts within the full opportunity announcement for all other inquires.
Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| PAR-25-108-Full-Announcement.html | PAR-25-108 Full Announcement Text | Nov 12, 2024 05:09 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-108.html
Archived: June 12, 2025
Award
$--
Program Funding
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Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$--
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
PAR-25-108
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No
Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
--
Category of Funding Activity:
Education
Health
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
November 12, 2024
Archive date:
June 12, 2025
