The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 130

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 130

The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PAR-25-130) that supports research projects aimed at understanding metastasis using systems-level approaches. The core idea behind MetNet is that metastasis is not a simple linear chain of events, but a set of non-linear, dynamic, and emergent biological processes that unfold over time and across multiple biological scales. Rather than treating metastasis as a tumor-only phenomenon, the network encourages projects that frame it as a whole-body, systems problem involving interactions among cancer cells, host tissues, immune responses, organ microenvironments, and other physiological factors. The program is structured to help the field build a more integrated and cohesive picture of metastasis by considering both chronological progression (how metastatic disease evolves over time) and biological scale (from molecular and cellular mechanisms up through tissues, organs, and organism-level behavior).

This opportunity uses the cooperative agreement mechanism (U01), meaning awardees should expect a more collaborative, programmatic relationship with NIH than in a standard research grant. In practice, cooperative agreements often involve substantial NIH scientific or programmatic involvement, network coordination, shared goals, and expectations around collaboration and data or resource sharing. The funding instrument is listed as discretionary, and the activity category is Education, Health, with CFDA number 93.396. Importantly, the announcement specifies “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” so applications must be designed as non-clinical-trial research projects. That generally means projects should not prospectively assign human participants to interventions to evaluate health outcomes. Applicants can still often work with human biospecimens, existing datasets, or observational human studies depending on the specific NIH definitions and the final study design, but they must avoid meeting the NIH definition of a clinical trial.

The opportunity is broadly open to a wide range of applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. It also includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The solicitation also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, that list signals NIH’s intent to encourage broad participation across institution types, including organizations that serve underrepresented communities and international partners where appropriate.

Key administrative details included in the source information are the original closing date of June 20, 2025, and an award ceiling of $500,000. The posting lists “Expected Awards:” but does not provide a number in the provided source text, so the anticipated count of funded projects is not specified here. The opportunity record was created on October 25, 2024. In short, this program is designed for teams that want to tackle metastasis as a complex, evolving system and are prepared to operate within a coordinated, NIH-involved network environment, while staying firmly outside the clinical trial space.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-06-20. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

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