Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 116

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 116

The Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI) funding opportunity (PAR 20-116) is a National Institutes of Health grant program that supports advanced preclinical research aimed at moving promising nanotechnology-based cancer tools closer to real-world clinical development. It is specifically focused on maturing experimental nanomedicines, cancer diagnostics, and therapeutic platforms that use next-generation nanoparticles and nanodevices. The central idea is to bridge the gap between early proof-of-concept nanotechnology work and the more rigorous development milestones needed to enter larger translational pipelines, including programs like the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Experimental Therapeutics (NExT) program. This FOA is an R01 mechanism and explicitly does not allow clinical trials, which means supported work should remain in the preclinical space (for example, optimization, characterization, and validation work needed before first-in-human testing).

The program emphasizes nanotechnology interventions that show strong potential to either improve treatment effectiveness or address cancers where current approved therapies and diagnostic options are limited. In practice, that means projects are expected to go beyond exploratory feasibility and instead deliver the kind of robust, decision-enabling data that demonstrates readiness for the next stage of translation. While the announcement text does not list specific required experiments in the excerpt provided, the framing clearly signals interest in advanced preclinical packages typical of translational development, such as improving formulation and manufacturability, demonstrating reproducibility, strengthening efficacy evidence in relevant models, clarifying biodistribution and targeting behavior, evaluating safety signals, and establishing other core performance characteristics that would support future entry into NCI translational programs.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under the NIH, with activity areas spanning education and health and associated CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395. The opportunity was created on February 24, 2020, and the original closing date listed is November 18, 2021. The award ceiling shown is $475,000 (as presented in the source data), and the number of expected awards is not specified in the provided listing.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign eligibility is limited in a way that is typical for many NIH opportunities. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant can include certain overseas elements in the project when justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though a foreign organization cannot serve as the primary applicant.

Overall, TTNCI is best understood as a translational preclinical funding pathway for nanotechnology-driven cancer solutions that are already showing meaningful promise and now need rigorous development work to become credible candidates for downstream NCI translational support and, eventually, clinical evaluation under separate mechanisms.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Toward Translation of Nanotechnology Cancer Interventions (TTNCI) (R01 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): 93.394, 93.395.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-02-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-11-18. (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 $475,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 20 116

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