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The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) Lead Academic Organizations (UM1 Clinical Trial Required)

US National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant open #RFA-CA-27-016
Response due Jun 30, 2026 · 00:00 UTC

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking applications from Lead Academic Organizations to participate in the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN). This is a federal grant opportunity (RFA-CA-27-016) requiring clinical trials as a mandatory component. The opportunity is focused on experimental therapeutics research conducted through a coordinated clinical trials network structure, consistent with NIH's cancer research mission under the NCI (agency code HHS-NIH11). Applicants must be prepared to lead and conduct clinical trials as part of this network.

What they want

Applicants are sought to serve as Lead Academic Organizations within the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN). The funding mechanism is UM1 (Research Project Cooperative Agreement – Clinical Trial Required), indicating that awardees will conduct cooperative clinical research, likely involving early-phase experimental cancer therapeutics trials, in coordination with NIH/NCI program staff. Lead Academic Organizations are expected to provide infrastructure, scientific leadership, and clinical trial execution capacity within the ETCTN framework.
Technical requirements
  • Clinical Trial Required (UM1 mechanism — cooperative agreement with mandatory clinical trial component)
  • Applicant must be an academic organization capable of serving as a Lead Academic Organization within the ETCTN
  • Must meet NIH/NCI requirements for clinical trials network participation

How they evaluate

  • Scientific and technical merit (peer review)
  • Clinical trial feasibility and design
  • Institutional capability and infrastructure
  • Qualifications of key personnel
  • Significance and innovation of proposed research
Submission: Grants.gov federal grants portal (electronic submission)

Eligibility & certifications

SAM.gov registration (standard federal grant requirement)Institutional assurances for human subjects research (IRB/OHRP compliance)NIH compliance with clinical trial reporting requirements

Risks & flags

  • Opportunity is limited to 'Lead Academic Organizations,' which may implicitly favor large, established academic medical centers with prior ETCTN affiliation
  • No dollar value or award ceiling disclosed in the synopsis — makes competitive budget planning difficult
  • Short text synopsis with minimal scope detail may disadvantage new entrants unfamiliar with the ETCTN structure

Market context

inferred from NAICS
R&D in Physical, Engineering, Life Sciences (except Nanotech & Biotech)
NAICS 541715
US market size
$95B
Typical award
$100K – $50M+
Typical buyers
DoDNSFNIHNASADOE
Commonly required
DCAA-compliant accountingITARCMMC L2
The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Tri…
Due Jun 30
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