Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 128
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 17 128) supports research aimed at improving how cancer treatment response is predicted, measured, and validated using quantitative imaging. The focus is on building, refining, and validating quantitative imaging (QI) software tools and methodological approaches that can be used reliably in clinical trials, either to assess how well a therapy is working or to help plan and validate radiation therapy treatment strategies. In practical terms, this program is geared toward projects that move beyond exploratory imaging ideas and instead produce tools and workflows that can hold up in real clinical research settings, where consistency, reproducibility, and validation across sites and scanners are essential.
This FOA uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, specifically the UG3/UH3 phased award mechanism. That structure is designed for projects that need an early, milestone-driven development stage followed by a larger implementation and validation stage. The UG3 phase typically supports planning, early development, optimization, and other preparatory work that must be completed before the research can credibly transition into broader testing. If the UG3 milestones are met, the project can transition to the UH3 phase, which generally supports expanded validation and deployment activities, such as multi-site testing, incorporation into clinical trial workflows, or more definitive demonstrations that the tool or method performs as intended. Because this is a cooperative agreement, NIH program staff are expected to have substantial involvement compared with a standard research grant, which often means closer coordination on milestones, data standards, dissemination plans, and validation expectations.
The opportunity falls under the Education and Health activity category and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395. The original closing date listed for the opportunity was January 24, 2018, and the FOA record indicates it was created on January 19, 2017. While an award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided summary data, the central point is that NIH is seeking projects that can deliver practical, trial-ready quantitative imaging capabilities, rather than purely conceptual or narrowly tested prototypes.
A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, and both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, and both for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may apply as well. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility reflects the program's interest in drawing from diverse technical, clinical, and institutional expertise to solve real-world problems in imaging-based response assessment and radiation therapy planning/validation.
Overall, the grant opportunity is aimed at strengthening the scientific and technical foundation needed to use imaging quantitatively in oncology trials, with an emphasis on software tools and methods that can be optimized and validated to support decision-making about treatment response or radiation therapy strategies. The UG3/UH3 structure signals that NIH is looking for a credible path from development to validation, with clear performance milestones and a strong expectation that resulting tools and approaches will be usable, testable, and relevant within clinical trial environments.Apply for PAR 17 128
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3)" 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 2017-01-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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.
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FAQs: Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3) - NIH (PAR 17 128)
What is the NIH funding opportunity "Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3)"?
This NIH funding opportunity (PAR 17 128) supports research to improve how cancer treatment response is predicted, measured, and validated using quantitative imaging. The emphasis is on developing, refining, and validating quantitative imaging (QI) software tools and methodological approaches that can be used reliably in clinical trial settings.
What is the main goal of this program?
The program aims to produce practical, trial-ready quantitative imaging capabilities. In other words, it prioritizes tools and workflows that can perform consistently and reproducibly in real clinical research environments, including across different sites and imaging scanners, rather than early-stage exploratory concepts.
What kinds of projects does this FOA encourage?
The FOA encourages projects focused on building, improving, and validating QI software tools and methods for cancer therapy response assessment. It also includes approaches that help plan and validate radiation therapy treatment strategies using quantitative imaging.
How can the funded tools be used in clinical research?
The tools and methods supported by this FOA are intended to be usable in clinical trials, either to assess how well a therapy is working (therapy response assessment) or to support radiation therapy planning and validation strategies.
Does this program support exploratory or early conceptual imaging ideas?
Based on the description provided, the program is geared toward moving beyond exploratory ideas. NIH is seeking projects that result in tools and workflows robust enough for clinical research settings, where validation, reproducibility, and consistency across sites and scanners are essential.
What is meant by "quantitative imaging" in the context of this opportunity?
In this context, quantitative imaging refers to imaging approaches that produce measurable, standardized outputs that can be used to predict, measure, or validate cancer treatment response (or support radiation therapy strategies) in a reliable way suitable for clinical trial use.
What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This FOA uses a cooperative agreement mechanism and specifically the UG3/UH3 phased award structure.
What is a cooperative agreement and how is it different from a standard research grant?
Under a cooperative agreement, NIH program staff are expected to have substantial involvement compared with a standard research grant. The description indicates this can include closer coordination on milestones, data standards, dissemination plans, and validation expectations.
What is the UG3/UH3 phased award mechanism?
The UG3/UH3 structure is designed for projects that require an initial, milestone-driven development stage followed by a larger implementation and validation stage. It is intended to support a credible path from early development to broader testing and deployment.
What happens during the UG3 phase?
The UG3 phase typically supports planning, early development, optimization, and other preparatory work needed before a project can credibly transition into broader testing. This phase is milestone-driven.
What happens during the UH3 phase?
If the UG3 milestones are met, the project can transition to the UH3 phase. UH3 generally supports expanded validation and deployment activities, such as multi-site testing, incorporation into clinical trial workflows, or more definitive demonstrations that the tool or method performs as intended.
Is transition from UG3 to UH3 automatic?
No. The description states that transition is contingent on meeting the UG3 milestones. If the milestones are achieved, the project can transition to the UH3 phase.
What does NIH appear to expect from applicants in terms of milestones and validation?
The FOA description emphasizes clear performance milestones and a strong expectation that resulting tools and approaches will be usable, testable, and relevant in clinical trial environments, including expectations around consistency, reproducibility, and validation across sites and scanners.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the Education and Health activity category.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this funding opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed are 93.394 and 93.395.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 17 128.
When was the FOA created and when was it originally due?
The FOA record indicates it was created on January 19, 2017. The original closing date listed is January 24, 2018.
Is the award ceiling listed in the provided information?
No. The provided summary states that an award ceiling is not specified.
Is the expected number of awards listed in the provided information?
No. The provided summary states that the expected number of awards is not specified.
Who is eligible to apply?
A wide range of organizations are eligible, including government entities (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, and both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are eligible, and small businesses may also apply.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly lists faith-based or community-based organizations among the additional eligible applicant types.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA lists eligible federal agencies among the additional eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes regional organizations and U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant types.
Are non-U.S. entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.
What is the practical emphasis of this program for quantitative imaging in oncology?
The description emphasizes strengthening the scientific and technical foundation needed to use imaging quantitatively in oncology trials, with a focus on software tools and methods that can be optimized and validated for real clinical trial use and decision-making.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Response Assessment (U01) Apply for PAR 17 129 Funding Number: PAR 17 129 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R21) Apply for PA 17 137 Funding Number: PA 17 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R01) Apply for PA 17 136 Funding Number: PA 17 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINR Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) Apply for PAR 17 133 Funding Number: PAR 17 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) (U54) Apply for RFA NS 17 021 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Activities to Promote Technology Research Collaborations (APTRC) for Cancer Research (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 17 143 Funding Number: PA 17 143 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Advancing Our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptome (R21) Apply for PAR 17 152 Funding Number: PAR 17 152 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 17 157 Funding Number: PA 17 157 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| Evaluating the NIDA Standardized Research E-Cigarette in Risk Reduction and Related Studies (U01) Apply for PAR 17 156 Funding Number: PAR 17 156 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 17 155 Funding Number: PA 17 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01) Apply for PAR 17 171 Funding Number: PAR 17 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (U01) Apply for PAR 17 185 Funding Number: PAR 17 185 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) for the Treatment of Mental or Substance Use Disorders or Alcohol Addiction (U19) Apply for PAR 17 186 Funding Number: PAR 17 186 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Exceptional Research on HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse (R01) Apply for RFA DA 18 002 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Answers to NCI's Provocative Questions (R21) Apply for RFA CA 17 018 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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