Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 17 015
The Consortium for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) Translational Studies on the Tumor Microenvironment (U01) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-17-015) was issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health, specifically within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) mission space. It is structured as a cooperative agreement (U01), which typically means the funded projects are expected to operate with substantial programmatic involvement from the NIH/NCI compared with a standard research grant. The overall intent is to build a coordinated research effort that focuses on the PDAC tumor microenvironment and translates those findings into practical therapeutic strategies, especially immunotherapy and rational combination approaches that can be tested in meaningful models and advanced toward early clinical evaluation.
At its core, this announcement targets one of the most difficult problems in pancreatic cancer research: PDAC tumors are heavily influenced by their surrounding microenvironment, and that microenvironment can actively block effective anti-tumor immunity and limit drug delivery or activity. The FOA emphasizes understanding the interaction between the tumor and its microenvironment as the foundation for designing better interventions. Rather than treating the tumor as an isolated mass of malignant cells, the program’s focus is on the biological and immunologic context around the tumor, including the cell types, signaling pathways, and structural features that shape disease progression and treatment resistance. The practical outcome NCI is looking for is not just descriptive biology, but actionable insights that can be used to engineer therapies that work with, overcome, or reprogram these microenvironmental features.
A central expected deliverable is the design of new immunotherapy strategies and combination interventions tailored to PDAC’s distinctive tumor microenvironment. This implies approaches that might pair immune-based treatments with agents that modify stromal architecture, alter suppressive immune cell populations, change cytokine and chemokine signaling, or otherwise shift the microenvironment from one that protects the tumor to one that permits immune attack. The FOA also makes clear that these strategies should be evaluated for improved responses in preclinical models, with an eye toward moving the most promising concepts forward into clinical evaluation. That clinical path is anticipated to run through NCI-supported early phase networks such as the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN), or alternatively through industry partnerships or cancer center-led clinical development, signaling that the program is meant to sit close to the translational pipeline rather than remaining purely exploratory.
From an administrative and funding perspective, the opportunity was categorized as discretionary funding and listed under CFDA numbers 93.395 and 93.396, aligning it with NCI research and cancer-related assistance mechanisms. The FOA set an award ceiling of $350,000 and anticipated making around five awards, indicating a relatively selective cohort intended to function as a consortium or coordinated set of projects rather than a large, diffuse portfolio. The original timeline shows a creation date of December 16, 2016 and an original closing date of March 7, 2017, reflecting a single-cycle, targeted solicitation designed to catalyze a specific area of translational research at that time.
Eligibility was broad and intentionally inclusive across many organization types. Eligible applicants included various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and a wide range of nonprofit entities (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding universities in those specific nonprofit categories). It also allowed participation by tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, with the FOA noting that additional eligibility clarifications may apply in the full text. This breadth suggests NCI wanted to encourage collaboration across academia, clinical centers, and potentially industry or other translational partners, which fits the cooperative agreement and consortium model.
In plain terms, the grant opportunity is designed to push PDAC tumor microenvironment research beyond characterization and toward intervention: figuring out what the microenvironment is doing, how it influences immune responses and treatment failure, and then building immunotherapy and combination regimens that account for those realities. The success criteria implied by the announcement are improved responses in rigorous preclinical settings followed by credible paths into early clinical testing, whether through NCI infrastructure like ETCTN or through external development channels such as industry collaborations or cancer center trials.Apply for RFA CA 17 015
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Consortium for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) Translational Studies on the Tumor Microenvironment (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.395, 93.396.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 16, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 07, 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 $350,000.00 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).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Provision of comprehensive Care and Treatment Programs by Local Indigenous Entities in The United Republic of Tanzania Under The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR
Previous opportunity: PDX Development and Trial Centers (PDTCs) (U54)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA CA 17 015
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 17 015) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Resource Center for the Consortium for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) Translational Studies (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 016 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 016 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Coordinating Center for Canine Immunotherapy Trials and Correlative Studies (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 002 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Canine Immunotherapy Trials and Correlative Studies (U01) Apply for RFA CA 17 001 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Administrative Supplements to Promote Research Collaborations on Fusion Oncoproteins as Drivers of Childhood Cancer (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 17 138 Funding Number: PA 17 138 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $135,000 |
| Data Management and Coordinating Center (DMCC) for the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRC) (U24) Apply for RFA NS 17 022 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 022 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| NIDA Translational Avant-Garde Award for Development of Medication to Treat Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3) Apply for RFA DA 18 003 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 003 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Intensive Longitudinal Analysis of Health Behaviors: Leveraging New Technologies to Understand Health Behaviors (U01) Apply for RFA OD 17 004 Funding Number: RFA OD 17 004 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Intensive Longitudinal Analysis of Health Behaviors: Leveraging New Technologies to Understand Health Behaviors (U24) Apply for RFA OD 17 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 17 005 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| 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 |
| Limited Competition: Palliative Care Research Cooperative (PCRC) (U2C) Apply for RFA NR 17 001 Funding Number: RFA NR 17 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 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 |
| Limited Competition: A Data Resource for Analyzing Blood and Marrow Transplants (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 031 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 031 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $2,875,000 |
| Consortium on Translational Research in Early Detection of Liver Cancer (Clinical and Research Centers (U01) Apply for RFA CA 17 025 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 025 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $550,000 |
| Coordinating Center for the Consortium of Translational Research in Early Detection of Liver Cancer (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 028 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 028 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Minority-Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX) Development and Trial Center (PDTC) Network (U54) Apply for RFA CA 17 032 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 032 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Research Centers for Improving Management of Symptoms Across Cancer Treatments (IMPACT) (UM1) Apply for RFA CA 17 042 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 042 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,120,000 |
| 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 |
| Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS): Coordinating Center (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 039 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 039 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA CA 17 015", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.