CFDA 93.398: Cancer Research
NCI's primary mechanism for extramural cancer research grants. Covers basic, translational, and clinical research across all cancer types. The single largest federal cancer research investment.
What this CFDA funds
Cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and disparities research. Funding mechanisms span investigator-initiated R01s, exploratory R21s, training programs (T32, F31, F32, K-series), translational SPOREs, and the comprehensive P30 cancer-center awards. Recent priority areas: immunotherapy, precision oncology, cancer disparities, and pediatric cancers.
What winning applicants look like
NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers dominate large awards. R01s come from research universities and academic medical centers with strong oncology faculty. Patient-advocacy partnerships and community-engagement plans are increasingly valued for population-science and disparities-focused proposals.
Common pitfalls + things to know
NCI-specific scoring criteria emphasize 'Significance to cancer' — generic biomedical proposals score poorly. The Provocative Questions initiative and other targeted RFAs have specific framing requirements. Clinical-trial proposals require detailed trial-design sections subject to NIH Stage 1/2/3 framework.
Related CFDAs to also explore
- CFDA 93.310 — Trans-NIH Research Support
- CFDA 93.855 — Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research
- CFDA 93.866 — Aging Research
Audiences who use this CFDA
If you fall into one of these audience groups, the audience guide gives you the broader picture of all federal funding streams you qualify for — not just CFDA 93.398.
Always verify in the official source. CFDA program details, eligibility, and award ranges change with each annual NOFO cycle. Confirm at sam.gov/content/assistance-listings or the agency's program office before you build an application strategy. This page is editorial reference, not an official agency notice.