Innovative Research in Cancer Nanotechnology (IRCN) (R01) | PAR 17 240

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 240

The Innovative Research in Cancer Nanotechnology (IRCN) (R01) opportunity (PAR-17-240) is a National Institutes of Health funding announcement that supports innovative, multidisciplinary research projects aimed at advancing cancer biology and oncology through nanotechnology. It sits within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, a broader program focused on pushing nanoscience discoveries toward meaningful cancer research and, ultimately, clinical impact. The core idea is to fund projects where nanotechnology is not just an add-on tool, but a key driver for transformative discoveries and for overcoming difficult, long-standing barriers in cancer research.

A central emphasis of the FOA is on deep, fundamental understanding of how nanomaterials and nanodevices interact with biological systems. Applications are expected to tackle major obstacles in cancer biology and/or oncology by leveraging nanoscale properties and engineering approaches, while also carefully characterizing how these materials behave in complex biological environments. This includes understanding interactions at the cellular, tissue, and whole-organism level, such as how nanoparticle composition, size, shape, surface chemistry, and functionalization influence biodistribution, cellular uptake, immune response, toxicity, clearance, and overall performance in cancer-relevant settings. The FOA makes clear that mechanistic insight matters: investigators should be able to explain and measure what the nanotechnology is doing biologically, not only demonstrate that it works in a limited proof-of-concept experiment.

The scope specifically includes research on targeted delivery and localization of nanoparticles and/or nanodevices to intended cancer targets in vivo, reflecting the practical challenge of getting nanoscale agents to the right place in the body with enough specificity and efficiency to matter. It also covers characterization and development of in vitro detection and diagnostic devices, meaning applicants can propose nanotechnology-enabled platforms for sensing, detection, or diagnostic readouts, provided the work includes robust characterization and relevance to cancer barriers. In practice, the FOA is aimed at projects that bridge nanoscience, engineering, and cancer biology, often requiring teams with complementary expertise (for example, materials science, bioengineering, oncology, imaging, immunology, pharmacology, and computational modeling).

The funding mechanism is an R01 research project grant, categorized as a discretionary grant within the health and education activity areas, and associated with CFDA numbers 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, and 93.396. The listed award ceiling is $450,000. The opportunity was created on March 30, 2017, with an original closing date of May 21, 2020, indicating it was a time-bound solicitation under that announcement cycle (applicants would typically need to confirm whether a current reissue or related active FOA exists if applying today).

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, spanning many types of U.S. organizations and certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and 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; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and 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 explicitly 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals an intent to draw strong ideas from a wide range of research environments and communities, including institutions that serve underrepresented populations and organizations outside the traditional academic biomedical center model.

Overall, the IRCN (R01) opportunity is designed for ambitious cancer nanotechnology projects that combine strong nanoscience innovation with rigorous biological investigation. Competitive proposals would be expected to articulate a clear cancer barrier, justify why nanotechnology is uniquely suited to address it, and provide a plan to systematically evaluate nanomaterial/nanodevice behavior in biological systems, whether the end application is improved in vivo targeting and delivery or improved in vitro detection and diagnostic capabilities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Research in Cancer Nanotechnology (IRCN) (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-03-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-21. (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 $450,000.00 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 17 240

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