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Utilizing the PLCO Biospecimens Resource to Bridge Gaps in Cancer Etiology and Early Detection Research (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

US · MD · Bethesda National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant open #PAR-25-248
Response due Oct 08, 2027 · 00:00 UTC

Summary

This NIH funding opportunity (PAR-25-248) invites U01 cooperative agreement applications to leverage the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial biospecimens resource to advance cancer etiology and early detection research. Clinical trials are explicitly excluded. The opportunity is open from November 2024 through October 2027, reflecting a rolling or multi-cycle submission window. Applicants are expected to use the existing PLCO biobank to fill identified gaps in understanding cancer causes and developing early detection methods.

What they want

Applicants must propose research utilizing the PLCO Cancer Screening Trial biospecimens repository to: (1) investigate cancer etiology — the biological, environmental, or genetic causes of cancer; and (2) advance early detection research. Clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism. The award mechanism is a U01 cooperative agreement, implying substantial NIH programmatic involvement. Research must bridge identified gaps in these two domains using the existing PLCO biospecimen resource.
Deliverables
  • Research findings on cancer etiology using PLCO biospecimens
  • Early detection research outputs (e.g., biomarker discovery, assay development)
  • Progress reports as required under U01 cooperative agreement terms
Technical requirements
  • Research must utilize PLCO Cancer Screening Trial biospecimens repository
  • Clinical trials are not allowed (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed mechanism)
  • Must address gaps in cancer etiology and/or early detection research
  • Cooperative agreement mechanism (U01) — NIH will have substantial programmatic involvement

How they evaluate

  • NIH peer review (study section scientific merit scoring)
  • Programmatic relevance to PLCO biospecimens resource utilization
  • Significance, innovation, approach, investigators, and environment (standard NIH review criteria)
Submission: Grants.gov federal grants portal (electronic submission)

Risks & flags

  • Access to PLCO biospecimens is controlled by NIH/NCI, which may favor researchers already embedded in or familiar with the PLCO infrastructure
  • Long open window (nearly 3 years) with rolling submissions may reflect a standing program announcement rather than a competitive single-award solicitation — not inherently a red flag but warrants monitoring
  • Highly specialized resource requirement (PLCO biobank access) could limit eligible applicants to a narrow pool with pre-existing data access agreements

Market context

inferred from NAICS
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
NAICS 541711
US market size
$2.0T
Typical award
$25K – $50M
Typical buyers
All federal civilianDoDStates
Commonly required
8(a)WOSBSDVOSBPE/PMP

Sector-level estimate — full code lookup not yet in catalog.

Utilizing the PLCO Biospecimens Resource t…
Due Oct 08
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