Basic and Translational Disparities Research Funding

CRCHD supports the following basic and translational research funding opportunities to increase scientific understanding of cancer as well as reduce cancer health disparities.

Basic Cancer Biology Research

Basic cancer research focuses on biological mechanisms related to cancer.

CRCHD offers three funding opportunities which focus on investigating biological variations across racially and ethnically diverse populations that may contribute to cancer disparities directly or in conjunction with environmental exposures. A fourth opportunity focuses broadly on advancing cancer research while promoting diversity of the health-related research workforce.

Title	Application Due Date & Purpose
Exploratory/Developmental Grants Program for Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)	Due Dates: February 5, 2025, June 5, 2025, October 5, 2025, February 5, 2026, June 5, 2026, October 5, 2026, February 5, 2027, June 5, 2027, October 5, 2027 Supports basic research innovative studies designed to investigate biological/genetic bases of cancer disparities. *Note: Early-stage investigators who receive an R01 award are eligible to have their grant transitioned to an R37 award and, as a result, have the opportunity to have their funding extended by up to two years. Learn more about the R37 award.
Exploratory/Developmental Grants Program for Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)	Due Dates: February 16, 2025, June 16, 2025, October 16, 2025, February 16, 2026, June 16, 2026, October 16, 2026, February 16, 2027, June 16, 2027, October 16, 2027 Supports basic research pilot and feasibility studies on the biological/genetic causes and mechanisms of cancer health disparities
Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21)	Due Dates: June 17, 2025, November 18, 2025, June 15, 2026, November 17, 2026 Supports eligible investigators from underrepresented groups to conduct research projects focused on the basic biology of cancer.
Integrating Health Disparities into Immuno-Oncology (HDIO) (P20 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)	Supports planning and feasibility studies to integrate cancer health disparities into immuno-oncology research studies. This FOA is expected to enable complementary, multi-disciplinary research teams to address interdisciplinary research to integrate cancer health disparities into immuno-oncology research. It is anticipated these feasibility or pilot studies will support the exploration of novel or high-risk research hypotheses.

Translational Cancer Research

Translational research focuses on moving basic research findings into the clinic to advance cancer therapy.

CRCHD offers the following translational research funding opportunities which focus on reducing cancer health disparities.

Title	Application Due Date & Purpose
Minority Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Development and Trial Centers (M-PDTCs) (U54)	Solicits applications for Minority PDX Development and Trial Centers (M-PDTCs) to join the PDTC Research Network (PDXNet) to expand and diversify the PDXNet. These M-PDTCs will develop and conduct pre-clinical testing of models derived from racial/ethnic minority populations.
Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Cancer Health Disparities and Minority Health (CHD-MH) (U54 Clinical Trial Optional)	Will fund a network of multidisciplinary, multi-institutional U54 CHD-MH SPOREs uniquely focused on health disparities and/or minority health translational research for improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in populations who are underserved (and/or underrepresented).