§ Federal grant opportunity · RFA-CA-27-012

    Metastasis Research Network (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

    National Institutes of Health is accepting applications for Metastasis Research Network (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). The deadline is September 25, 2026 and the published award range is $1.3M.

    Key facts

    Funder
    National Institutes of Health
    Application deadline
    September 25, 2026
    Award range
    $1.3M
    Eligibility
    Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
    Geography
    United States
    Focus areas
    Health
    Opportunity number
    RFA-CA-27-012

    Program overview

    Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) solicits applications for research on developing a comprehensive and cohesive understanding of cancer metastasis. Towards this goal, the NCI will support U54 Specialized Centers that together will continue to serve as the hub of the Metastasis Research Network (MetNet). Each MetNet Center should propose an overarching scientific theme that will be pursued through two or three scientific inter- and multidisciplinary basic research projects. The projects should use integrative system level approaches to elucidate and integrate a mechanistic understanding of the non-linear, dynamic, and emergent processes in metastasis. Overarching themes should encompass the interplay between at least two central elements in the metastatic process such as early dissemination, cellular, soluble and/or physical microenvironment crosstalk, dormancy, or mechanisms of responses by metastatic cells to therapies. Studies on all types of cancer are welcome, including rare and pediatric metastatic cancers.Research proposed by MetNet Centers is expected to advance our understanding towards a more comprehensive appreciation of metastasis as a whole body, systems-level problem.

    How to apply

    1. Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
    2. Read the full funding opportunity announcement from National Institutes of Health.
    3. Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
    4. Submit before September 25, 2026, allowing time for registration and validation.

    View the official funding announcement

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