Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 17 059
The NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) - Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (UG1) opportunity (RFA-CA-17-059) is a National Institutes of Health funding announcement that supports institutions willing to serve as Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (LAPS) within NCI's National Clinical Trials Network. The central idea is to fund academic or similarly capable organizations that can provide high-level scientific leadership and operational strength to help design, launch, and run NCI-supported cancer clinical trials. These funded sites are expected to work in close partnership with one or more adult NCTN Network Groups, contributing not just participation but leadership that helps move studies from concept to completion.
A key expectation in this program is meaningful trial accrual across the NCTN portfolio. In practical terms, a LAPS is not meant to be a low-volume or purely local clinical research site. Instead, it is intended to function as a major driver of participant enrollment and execution quality for trials that may span many institutions. This implies the applicant organization needs the infrastructure, staff, investigator expertise, and institutional commitment to consistently open trials, recruit patients, manage data and regulatory requirements, and maintain performance standards across multiple studies. Because the award is a cooperative agreement (UG1), the relationship with NCI is more hands-on than a typical grant: NCI program staff generally have substantial involvement in setting expectations, coordinating network activities, and ensuring the site is aligned with broader NCTN goals.
The announcement is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the Cooperative Agreement funding instrument. Its activity area is listed under Education and Health, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395. While the announcement text emphasizes scientific leadership and accrual, the cooperative agreement mechanism also signals that the awardee will be expected to collaborate actively with NCI and NCTN governance structures, follow network policies, and integrate with standardized systems for trial activation, reporting, and quality oversight.
Eligibility is broad within the United States, covering state governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities that are not institutions of higher education), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, plus other types as specified in the full FOA. The announcement also explicitly highlights that certain mission-driven and minority-serving institutions may apply, 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). At the same time, the FOA is clear that foreign institutions are not eligible, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed. In other words, participation is restricted to domestic U.S. organizational structures without foreign components.
From a funding standpoint, the source data lists an award ceiling of $1,500,000. The closing date shown is January 19, 2018, and the record creation date is October 20, 2017. While the summary data does not specify the exact number of expected awards, the intent is to support a set of lead academic sites that can strengthen the national trial system by pairing leadership capacity with strong enrollment performance. Anyone considering a similar opportunity would need to rely on the complete FOA for the detailed requirements, including performance expectations, budget structure, reporting obligations, and how NCI evaluates whether an applicant has the scale and readiness to function as an NCTN Network Lead Academic Participating Site.Apply for RFA CA 17 059
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN)--Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (UG1)" 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 2017-10-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-19. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) - Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (UG1) opportunity?
This funding opportunity (RFA-CA-17-059) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) announcement from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that supports organizations willing to serve as Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (LAPS) within NCI's National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). The goal is to fund sites that can provide strong scientific leadership and operational capacity to help design, launch, and run NCI-supported cancer clinical trials in partnership with adult NCTN Network Groups.
What does "LAPS" mean in this program?
LAPS stands for Network Lead Academic Participating Site. In this program, a LAPS is expected to be more than a routine clinical trial site. It is intended to function as a lead academic (or similarly capable) organization that contributes leadership, supports trial execution, and plays a major role in enrolling participants across the broader NCTN clinical trials portfolio.
What is the main purpose of funding Network Lead Academic Participating Sites?
The central purpose is to strengthen the national cancer clinical trials system by supporting institutions that can provide high-level scientific leadership and operational strength. Funded LAPS are expected to help move NCI-supported trials from concept to completion by working closely with one or more adult NCTN Network Groups.
What kinds of activities or responsibilities are emphasized for awardees?
Based on the information provided, key expectations include (1) scientific leadership, (2) operational strength to open and run multiple trials, and (3) meaningful trial accrual (participant enrollment) across the NCTN portfolio. Awardees are expected to have infrastructure and expertise to manage trial activation, recruitment, data collection, regulatory compliance, reporting, and quality oversight across multiple studies.
How important is trial accrual (participant enrollment) for a LAPS?
Trial accrual is described as a key expectation. A LAPS is not intended to be a low-volume or purely local clinical research site. Instead, it is expected to be a major driver of participant enrollment and execution quality for trials that may span many institutions.
Does this opportunity support local, single-institution trials only?
No. The emphasis is on leadership and performance within the NCTN portfolio, which includes trials that may span many institutions. LAPS are expected to contribute to NCI-supported clinical trials in a way that supports network-wide trial development and completion, not only local studies.
What kind of organizational capacity is implied for applicants?
The description implies that applicants should have the institutional commitment, staffing, investigator expertise, and operational infrastructure to consistently open trials, recruit patients, manage data and regulatory requirements, and meet performance standards across multiple NCTN studies.
What is the funding instrument used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement, with activity code UG1. This is also described as discretionary funding.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement (UG1)?
It means the relationship with NCI is expected to be more hands-on than a typical grant. NCI program staff generally have substantial involvement in setting expectations, coordinating network activities, and ensuring the funded site aligns with broader NCTN goals.
How will awardees be expected to work with NCI and NCTN governance?
The program description indicates awardees will be expected to collaborate actively with NCI and NCTN governance structures, follow network policies, and integrate with standardized systems for trial activation, reporting, and quality oversight.
Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad within the United States and includes: state governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities that are not institutions of higher education); and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, plus other types as specified in the full FOA.
Are minority-serving and mission-driven institutions eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights that certain minority-serving and mission-driven institutions may apply, 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
No. The FOA states that foreign institutions are not eligible.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component in its application?
No. The FOA indicates that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Are foreign components allowed under NIH policy for this opportunity?
No. The FOA specifies that foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The source data lists an award ceiling of $1,500,000.
What is the CFDA association for this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395.
What is the listed activity area for this opportunity?
The activity area is listed under Education and Health.
What is the opportunity closing date provided?
The closing date shown is January 19, 2018.
What is the record creation date provided?
The record creation date is October 20, 2017.
How many awards will be made?
The summary information provided does not specify the exact number of expected awards. It indicates an intent to support a set of lead academic sites that can strengthen the national trial system through leadership capacity and strong enrollment performance.
Is participation limited to adult NCTN Network Groups?
The information provided states that funded LAPS are expected to work in close partnership with one or more adult NCTN Network Groups.
Where can applicants find detailed requirements, performance expectations, and review criteria?
The summary indicates that applicants would need to rely on the complete FOA for detailed requirements, including performance expectations, budget structure, reporting obligations, and how NCI evaluates whether an applicant has the scale and readiness to function as an NCTN Network Lead Academic Participating Site.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Early Phase Clinical Trials in Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
Previous opportunity: Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (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 17 059
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 17 059) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Simulation Modeling and Systems Science to Address Health Disparities (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 331 Funding Number: PAR 18 331 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| National Cancer Institute Program Project Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 290 Funding Number: PAR 18 290 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - No Independent Clinical Trials) Apply for PAR 18 337 Funding Number: PAR 18 337 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - Clinical Trials Required) Apply for PAR 18 336 Funding Number: PAR 18 336 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Application of Big Data Analytics to Drug Abuse Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 057 Funding Number: PA 18 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Examination of Survivorship Care Planning Efficacy and Impact (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 012 Funding Number: PA 18 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Improving Quality of Care and Quality of Life for Persons with Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias at the End of Life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 18 030 Funding Number: PAS 18 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Data (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 062 Funding Number: PAR 18 062 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| HIV/AIDS High Priority Drug Abuse Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 18 063 Funding Number: PAS 18 063 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Potential Effects of Metformin on Aging and Age-Related Conditions: Small-Scale Clinical Studies and Secondary Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 025 Funding Number: PA 18 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 135 Funding Number: PA 18 135 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pilot Clinical Trials for the Spectrum of Alzheimers Disease and Age-related Cognitive Decline (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 175 Funding Number: PAR 18 175 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mobile and Connected Health Interventions to Improve Care Continuum and Health Outcomes among Youth with HIV (R01) Apply for RFA MH 18 606 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 606 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications for Validation of Mobile/Wireless Health Tools for Measurement and Intervention (R01) Clinical Trial Optional Apply for PA 18 339 Funding Number: PA 18 339 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mobile and Connected Health Interventions to Improve Care Continuum and Health Outcomes among Youth with HIV (R34) Apply for RFA MH 18 605 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 605 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 055 Funding Number: PA 18 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 073 Funding Number: PA 18 073 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 074 Funding Number: PA 18 074 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Clinical Development of Minimally-Invasive Bioassays to Support Outpatient Clinical Trials of Therapeutics for Substance Use Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 075 Funding Number: PA 18 075 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Examination of Survivorship Care Planning Efficacy and Impact (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 002 Funding Number: PA 18 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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 17 059", 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.