Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 17 009
Mechanisms of Cancer Drug Resistance and Sensitivity (U54) (RFA-CA-17-009) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services funding opportunity designed to build a coordinated research network focused on one of the central problems in cancer treatment: why tumors stop responding to therapy (drug resistance) or, in some cases, respond exceptionally well (drug sensitivity). The program proposes the creation of a set of Drug Resistance and Sensitivity Centers (DRSCs) that work in a connected, collaborative structure to develop and apply innovative approaches for studying the biological and molecular mechanisms that drive these outcomes. The practical aim is to generate knowledge and tools that can later be leveraged in real-world clinical settings, ultimately supporting better treatment choices, improved durability of responses, and more effective strategies to prevent or overcome resistance.
The award mechanism is a U54 cooperative agreement, which typically indicates that funded centers are expected to operate with substantial NIH involvement beyond what is seen in a standard research grant. In practice, that usually means the NIH plays an active role in coordinating the network, aligning goals across sites, encouraging data and resource sharing, and ensuring that the centers function as an integrated program rather than as isolated projects. The network model is meant to accelerate progress by combining complementary expertise (for example, tumor biology, pharmacology, genomics, computational modeling, and translational science) and by enabling cross-center comparisons and validation of findings. By emphasizing both resistance and sensitivity, the initiative also recognizes that understanding the mechanisms behind strong therapeutic responses can be just as informative as studying failure modes, especially for identifying biomarkers and defining patient subgroups most likely to benefit from specific treatments.
The scientific scope centers on mechanisms of tumor response to anticancer therapies. That includes studying how cancer cells adapt under drug pressure, how tumor heterogeneity contributes to survival of resistant subclones, and how interactions within the tumor microenvironment (such as immune cells, stromal components, and signaling factors) can protect tumors or alter drug penetration and activity. It also encompasses the study of sensitivity, which can reveal vulnerabilities and dependencies that make tumors particularly susceptible to certain agents or combinations. While the summary description does not list specific required methods, the intent strongly implies support for advanced experimental systems and analytic strategies that can uncover causal mechanisms, not just correlations, and that can point toward actionable interventions.
The program sits within NIH cancer-related funding activity categories (CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395) and is positioned as a discretionary opportunity in the education and health activity area. The funding opportunity was created on December 8, 2016, and had an original closing date of March 3, 2017, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation aimed at launching a defined cohort of centers.
From a funding standpoint, the award ceiling is listed as $750,000, and the expected number of awards is five. This suggests a selective, center-based program intended to fund a small number of well-resourced hubs that can meaningfully contribute to a shared national effort. Because this is framed as a network, the program’s impact depends not only on the strength of each center but also on their ability to coordinate, share findings, and collectively develop strategies that are broadly useful across cancer types and therapeutic modalities.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can support high-level biomedical research and center operations. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and a range of governmental entities (state, county, city/township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts). The eligibility list also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, along with an “others” category that refers applicants to additional eligibility language. This wide eligibility reflects the fact that tackling cancer drug resistance often requires multidisciplinary teams and infrastructure that may be housed in universities, medical centers, research institutes, or private-sector research settings, sometimes in partnership.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an NIH-led effort to stand up a small network of collaborative centers dedicated to uncovering the mechanisms behind cancer drug resistance and sensitivity, with a clear translational motivation. By building a coordinated platform of DRSCs, the FOA aims to speed the discovery of mechanisms that can be exploited clinically, whether through new therapeutic combinations, new drug targets, improved patient selection strategies, or approaches that anticipate and block resistance before it becomes clinically dominant.Apply for RFA CA 17 009
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mechanisms of Cancer Drug Resistance and Sensitivity (U54)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394, 93.395.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 08, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 03, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Mechanisms of Cancer Drug Resistance and Sensitivity (U54) and is identified as RFA-CA-17-009.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services funding opportunity.
What is the main goal of the program?
The program is designed to build a coordinated research network focused on a central problem in cancer treatment: understanding why tumors stop responding to therapy (drug resistance) or, in some cases, respond exceptionally well (drug sensitivity). The intent is to generate knowledge and tools that can later be leveraged in clinical settings to support better treatment choices, improve durability of responses, and develop strategies to prevent or overcome resistance.
What kind of research structure does this opportunity support?
The opportunity proposes creating a set of Drug Resistance and Sensitivity Centers (DRSCs) that operate as a connected, collaborative network rather than isolated projects. The network model is meant to accelerate progress through coordination, comparisons across centers, and validation of findings.
What is the award mechanism?
The award uses a U54 cooperative agreement mechanism.
What does a U54 cooperative agreement imply for how the program will operate?
A U54 cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial NIH involvement beyond what is common in standard research grants. In practice, this generally means NIH plays an active role in coordinating the network, aligning goals across sites, encouraging data and resource sharing, and helping ensure the funded centers function as an integrated program.
What scientific topic areas are within scope?
The scientific scope centers on mechanisms of tumor response to anticancer therapies, including both resistance and sensitivity. Topics described include cancer cell adaptation under drug pressure, tumor heterogeneity and resistant subclones, and influences from the tumor microenvironment (such as immune cells, stromal components, and signaling factors) that can protect tumors or alter drug penetration and activity.
Why does the initiative emphasize both drug resistance and drug sensitivity?
The initiative recognizes that understanding mechanisms behind strong therapeutic responses can be as informative as studying failure modes. Insights from sensitivity can help identify vulnerabilities and dependencies, and can support biomarker discovery and defining patient subgroups most likely to benefit from specific treatments.
Does the summary specify required methods or technologies?
No specific required methods are listed in the provided summary. However, the intent strongly implies support for advanced experimental systems and analytic strategies aimed at uncovering causal mechanisms (not only correlations) and pointing toward actionable interventions.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The expected number of awards is five.
What is the funding ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is listed as $750,000.
What does the combination of a $750,000 ceiling and five expected awards suggest about the program?
It suggests a selective, center-based program intended to fund a small number of well-resourced hubs. Because the program is structured as a network, impact depends not only on each center's strength but also on their ability to coordinate, share, and collectively develop broadly useful strategies across cancer types and therapeutic modalities.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 8, 2016.
What was the original closing date for the solicitation?
The original closing date was March 3, 2017, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation aimed at launching a defined cohort of centers.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with NIH cancer-related CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395.
What general activity area is this opportunity associated with?
It is positioned as a discretionary opportunity in the education and health activity area.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and a range of governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special district governments, and independent school districts).
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
Are housing authorities included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The eligibility list includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
What does the "others" eligibility category mean?
The eligibility list includes an "others" category that refers applicants to additional eligibility language (as noted in the opportunity description).
What is meant by a coordinated network of centers in this program?
A coordinated network means the centers are expected to work in a connected, collaborative structure that supports shared goals, comparison of results across sites, cross-center validation, and the development and sharing of data and resources.
What kinds of expertise are implied to be valuable in this network?
The description highlights combining complementary expertise such as tumor biology, pharmacology, genomics, computational modeling, and translational science to accelerate discovery and validation.
What translational outcomes does the program aim to support?
The practical aim is to produce knowledge and tools that can be leveraged in real-world clinical settings, including supporting improved treatment choices, more durable responses, and strategies to prevent or overcome resistance. The description also notes potential downstream utility for new therapeutic combinations, new drug targets, improved patient selection strategies, and approaches that anticipate and block resistance before it becomes clinically dominant.
How does the tumor microenvironment fit into the scope described?
The scope explicitly includes how the tumor microenvironment (including immune cells, stromal components, and signaling factors) can contribute to resistance or sensitivity by protecting tumors or altering drug penetration and activity.
Is this opportunity focused on only one cancer type or therapy?
The provided description frames the effort as broadly relevant across cancer treatment, with an emphasis on generating strategies and insights that can be useful across cancer types and therapeutic modalities.
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| Integration and Validation of Emerging Technologies to Accelerate Cancer Research (R33) Apply for RFA CA 17 023 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 023 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $325,000 |
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| SBIR Phase II Bridge Awards to Accelerate the Development of Cancer Therapeutics, Imaging Technologies, Interventional Devices, Diagnostics, and Prognostics toward Commercialization (R44) Apply for RFA CA 17 024 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 024 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Pediatric Early Phase Clinical Trials Network (UM1) Apply for RFA CA 17 027 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 027 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $3,600,000 |
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| Coordinating Center for Improving Management of Symptoms Across Cancer Treatments (IMPACT) (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 043 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 043 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| Mechanisms of Cancer Drug Resistance and Sensitivity: Coordinating Center (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 044 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 044 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
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