Cancer Control

To reduce cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality and enhance quality of life in cancer survivors through an orderly sequence from research on interventions and their impact in defined populations to the broad, systematic application of the

To reduce cancer risk, incidence, morbidity, and mortality and enhance quality of life in cancer survivors through an orderly sequence from research on interventions and their impact in defined populations to the broad, systematic application of the research results through dissemination and diffusion strategies. Primary emphasis is on the inclusion of cancer prevention and control intervention(s) in any proposed study. Cancer Prevention and Cancer Control research studies are classified into one of five phases: (1) Hypothesis development; (2) methods development and testing; (3) controlled intervention trials to establish cause-and-effect relationships; (4) research in defined populations; and (5) demonstration and implementation studies. Primary interests are in research on cancer control interventions in Phases 2 through 5, and on cancer prevention research in all phases. Cancer Prevention and Control programs include those in the following areas: (1) cancer epidemiology; (2) cancer communications; (3) nutrition, diet, and physical activity; (4) screening and early detection in health care delivery; (5) biobehavioral mechanisms; (6) tobacco control; (7) health disparities research; (8) supportive care and survivorship; (9) health services and outcomes research; and (10) surveillance research. Cancer Control uses Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs to engage domestic small business concerns in federal research and development that has potential for commercialization. The goals of the SBIR & STTR Programs are to stimulate technological innovation, increase private-sector commercialization of federal research and development, increase small business participation in federally funded research and development, and foster participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. The STTR Program requires the small business concern to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II of the program.

The awardee will be a university, college, hospital, public agency, nonprofit research institution or for-profit organization that submits an application and receives a grant or cooperative agreement for support of research by a named principal investigator. SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one- half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the project period. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit, technical merit, and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concern (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. The Principal Investigator may be primarily employed by either the small business concern or the collaborating research institution at the time of award and for the duration of the project period. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit, technical merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

University, college, hospital, public agency, nonprofit research institutions or for-profit organizations will benefit.

Grants and cooperative agreements may be made to eligible institutions for the support of cancer research projects. The grants and cooperative agreements may be used for personnel, consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel, patient costs, animals, alterations and renovations, miscellaneous items, and indirect costs. Restrictions are imposed against the use of funds for entertainment, foreign travel (unless specifically authorized), office equipment, and other items not normally necessary for the effective prosecution of such research. SBIR Phase I grants (of approximately 6-months' duration) are to establish the technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential of a proposed research effort and to determine the quality of performance of the awardee. Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I, and are likely to result in commercial products or processes. Only SBIR Phase I awardees are eligible to receive Phase II support. STTR Phase I grants (normally of 1-year duration) are to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort that has potential for commercial application. Phase II funding is based on results of research initiated in Phase I, and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed Phase II project. Only STTR Phase I awardees are eligible to receive Phase II support. The NIH Fast-Track mechanism provides additional assistance to applicants by expediting the decision and award of funding for scientifically meritorious applications for projects that have a high potential for commercialization. The mechanism allows small businesses to submit applications for both Phase I and Phase II together for review as one application, with the aim of reducing or eliminating the funding gap between Phase I and Phase II.

Grants and cooperative agreements average from 3 to 4 years, up to a maximum of 5 years. Renewals may be awarded for additional periods of up to 5 years based on competitive peer review. Funding is provided through Monthly Demand Payment System or an Electronic Transfer System. SBIR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 6 months; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years. STTR: Normally, Phase I awards are for 1 year; normally, Phase II awards are for 2 years.

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives.

All applications are evaluated by scientific authorities for scientific and technical merit. Applications must also be reviewed by the National Cancer Advisory Board. All competitive applications compete for available funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit, program relevance, and program balance, consistent with NCI and NIH priorities and strategic plans. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.

Regular Grants: Approximately 10 months. SBIR/STTR: About 7-l/2 months.

Applications submitted for renewal are reviewed and selected for funding on a competitive basis.

A principal investigator (P.I.) may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available online through the NIH home page at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/peer-review.htm