The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE)

The Center for Cancer Health Equity (CCHE) CURE program offers unique training and workforce development opportunities for scholars across the educational continuum to promote the diversity of the cancer and cancer health disparities research workforce. The CURE program supports promising candidates from middle school through junior investigator levels, and provides them with a continuum of competitive funding opportunities.

What CURE Does

The CURE-funded training opportunities are designed to:

Support middle school, high school, and undergraduate students interested in cancer and cancer health disparities research to enter the research field, work directly with scientists and community leaders, gain laboratory experience, and develop research skills.
Assist graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. degree, combined M.D./Ph.D. degree, or other formally combined health professional degree and research doctoral degree to obtain funding for cancer or cancer health disparities research.
Facilitate the transition of postdoctoral scholars pursuing a career in cancer and cancer health disparities research into becoming funded investigators.
Support junior investigators working in cancer and cancer health disparities research who are seeking research opportunities in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences that lead to research independence.

What CURE Offers

CCHE provides extensive funding opportunities for training and career development in cancer research, training, education, and outreach. CCHE offers funding for the training of middle school, high school, undergraduate, graduate, post-baccalaureate, post-master, postdoctoral, and junior investigators across the country. Students and researchers are supported at all stages of their education and career to ensure a full continuum of training and career development opportunities. Learn about cancer training at NCI.

NCI always encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from the underrepresented groups identified in NIH’s Notice of Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031), to work with their institutions to apply for NCI support, including under the CURE-related funding opportunities.

Please note that consistent with NIH practice and applicable law, funded programs may not use the race, ethnicity, or sex of prospective program participants or faculty as an eligibility or selection criteria. The race, ethnicity, or sex of candidates will not be considered in the application review process or when making funding decisions.

CURE Opportunities for Individuals

Title & CCHE Contact	Application Due Date, Eligibility & Purpose
Diversity Research Supplements CUREsupplements@nih.gov	Accepted: October 1 - December 1, February 1 - March 31 Eligibility: High School, Undergraduates, Post-Baccalaureates, Post-Masters, Graduates, Postdoctorals, Junior Investigators This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet Diversity Supplements Guidelines All diversity supplement applications must be submitted electronically.
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (F31)	Due Dates: April 8, August 8, December 8 Eligibility: Graduate students pursuing a doctoral degree Provides up to five years of support for research training leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent research degree, or up to six years of support for a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree or another formally combined professional degree and research doctoral degree in biomedical, behavioral, health services, or clinical sciences. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet Webinar: How to Write a Competitive NRSA F31-Diversity Grant Application: Watch the webinar and access the slides. Announcement of Childcare Costs for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Awards Additional Guidance on ‘Full-Time Training’ for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry, Re-integration into, and Re-training in Health-Related Research Careers (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) CUREsupplements@nih.gov	Accepted: October 1 - December 1, February 1 - March 31 Re-entry Supplements Eligibility: Individuals who were in a postdoctoral or faculty position at the time they left active research and/or have doctoral degrees, such as M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D., O.D., D.V.M., or the equivalent. Supports individuals to reenter an active biomedical and behavioral research career after taking time off to care for children or parents, or to attend to other family responsibilities. While eligible candidates will not be permitted to lead an independent clinical trial, they may propose to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor. Re-Integration Supplements Eligibility: Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Supports individuals who are adversely affected by unsafe or discriminatory environments resulting from unlawful harassment, to rapidly transition into new safer, and more supportive research environments. Re-Training and Re-Tooling Eligibility: Candidates who have at least 2 years of postdoctoral research experience, scientists appointed as Research Associates, Instructors, Assistant or Associate Professors, and other scientists employed in government or industry with experiences equivalent to those of postdoctoral candidates are eligible to apply. Provides support and protected time for a mentored research experience that allows an early or mid-career candidate to obtain new skills that can allow the candidate to go to a new research direction while augmenting the parent grant. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet Re-Entry and Re-Integration Supplements Guidelines
NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed K01 Clinical Trial Required	Due Dates: February 12, June 12, October 12 Eligibility: Postdoctorals, Investigators Provides support for intensive research career development over a duration of 3, 4, or 5 years under the guidance of an experienced mentor in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. Available for individuals that have a research or health professional doctoral degree. This unique award provides the opportunity for recipients to participate in peer-review workshops at the NCI throughout the duration of the award. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Career Development Opportunities for Research Within the Mission of the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute
NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity K08 No Independent Clinical Trials K08 Clinical Trial Required	Due Dates: February 12, June 12, October 12 Eligibility: Postdoctoral, Investigators Provides support and protected time for intensive, supervised research career development experience in the fields of basic, clinical, behavioral, translational, or patient-oriented cancer research, including research on cancer health disparities. This award is specifically designed for individuals with a clinical doctoral degree or a health professional doctoral degree. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Career Development Opportunities for Research Within the Mission of the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute Updated NCI Guidance Concerning the Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award: Percent Effort of Surgeon-Scientists for K08 awards from NCI
NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity K22 No Independent Clinical Trials K22 Clinical Trial Required	Due Dates: February 12, June 12, October 12 Eligibility: Postdoctoral, Investigators Assists postdoctoral fellows or individuals in equivalent positions to transition to positions of assistant professor or equivalent and initiate a successful biomedical career as an independent research scientist. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Career Development Opportunities for Research Within the Mission of the Division of Cancer Prevention at the National Cancer Institute
Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21)	Due Dates: November 19, 2024, June 17, 2025, November 18, 2025, June 15, 2026, November 17, 2026 Eligibility: Investigators Supports eligible investigators to conduct research projects focused on the basic biology of cancer. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet

Title & CCHE Contact

Application Due Date, Eligibility & Purpose

Diversity Research Supplements

CUREsupplements@nih.gov

Accepted: October 1 - December 1, February 1 - March 31

Eligibility: High School, Undergraduates, Post-Baccalaureates, Post-Masters, Graduates, Postdoctorals, Junior Investigators

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study to a clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

Fact Sheet
Diversity Supplements Guidelines
All diversity supplement applications must be submitted electronically.

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (F31)

Due Dates: April 8, August 8, December 8

Eligibility: Graduate students pursuing a doctoral degree

Provides up to five years of support for research training leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent research degree, or up to six years of support for a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree or another formally combined professional degree and research doctoral degree in biomedical, behavioral, health services, or clinical sciences.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

Fact Sheet
Webinar: How to Write a Competitive NRSA F31-Diversity Grant Application: Watch the webinar and access the slides.
Announcement of Childcare Costs for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Awards
Additional Guidance on ‘Full-Time Training’ for Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry, Re-integration into, and Re-training in Health-Related Research Careers (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

CUREsupplements@nih.gov

Accepted: October 1 - December 1, February 1 - March 31

Re-entry Supplements Eligibility: Individuals who were in a postdoctoral or faculty position at the time they left active research and/or have doctoral degrees, such as M.D., D.D.S., Ph.D., O.D., D.V.M., or the equivalent.

Supports individuals to reenter an active biomedical and behavioral research career after taking time off to care for children or parents, or to attend to other family responsibilities. While eligible candidates will not be permitted to lead an independent clinical trial, they may propose to gain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor.

Re-Integration Supplements Eligibility: Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Supports individuals who are adversely affected by unsafe or discriminatory environments resulting from unlawful harassment, to rapidly transition into new safer, and more supportive research environments.

Re-Training and Re-Tooling Eligibility: Candidates who have at least 2 years of postdoctoral research experience, scientists appointed as Research Associates, Instructors, Assistant or Associate Professors, and other scientists employed in government or industry with experiences equivalent to those of postdoctoral candidates are eligible to apply.

Provides support and protected time for a mentored research experience that allows an early or mid-career candidate to obtain new skills that can allow the candidate to go to a new research direction while augmenting the parent grant.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity

Due Dates: February 12, June 12, October 12

Eligibility: Postdoctorals, Investigators

Provides support for intensive research career development over a duration of 3, 4, or 5 years under the guidance of an experienced mentor in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence. Available for individuals that have a research or health professional doctoral degree. This unique award provides the opportunity for recipients to participate in peer-review workshops at the NCI throughout the duration of the award.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity

Due Dates: February 12, June 12, October 12

Eligibility: Postdoctoral, Investigators

Provides support and protected time for intensive, supervised research career development experience in the fields of basic, clinical, behavioral, translational, or patient-oriented cancer research, including research on cancer health disparities. This award is specifically designed for individuals with a clinical doctoral degree or a health professional doctoral degree.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity

Due Dates: February 12, June 12, October 12

Eligibility: Postdoctoral, Investigators

Assists postdoctoral fellows or individuals in equivalent positions to transition to positions of assistant professor or equivalent and initiate a successful biomedical career as an independent research scientist.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21)

Due Dates: November 19, 2024, June 17, 2025, November 18, 2025, June 15, 2026, November 17, 2026

Eligibility: Investigators

Supports eligible investigators to conduct research projects focused on the basic biology of cancer.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

Fact Sheet

CURE Opportunities for Institutions

Title & CCHE Contact	Application Due Date, Eligibility & Purpose
Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Research Education Program (R25)	Due Dates: September 26, 2025, September 28, 2026 Eligibility: Grades 6-12 students, Undergraduate students, Grades 6-12 teachers, Undergraduate faculty. Supports efforts to create and maintain an institutional program to engage students in grades 6–12 and/or undergraduate students, teachers, and faculty in cutting-edge cancer research experiences. Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers". Fact Sheet

Title & CCHE Contact

Application Due Date, Eligibility & Purpose

Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Research Education Program (R25)

Due Dates: September 26, 2025, September 28, 2026

Eligibility: Grades 6-12 students, Undergraduate students, Grades 6-12 teachers, Undergraduate faculty.

Supports efforts to create and maintain an institutional program to engage students in grades 6–12 and/or undergraduate students, teachers, and faculty in cutting-edge cancer research experiences.

Review additional information above under "What Cure Offers".

Fact Sheet

Additional Funding Opportunities

Title & CCHE Contact	Application Due Date & Purpose
NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)	Due Dates: December 12, 2024, April 12, 2025, August 12, 2025, December 12, 2025, April 12, 2026, August 12, 2026, December 12, 2026 Supports high quality scientific conferences that are relevant to the NIH's mission and to the public health. A conference is defined as a symposium, seminar, workshop, or any other organized and formal meeting, whether conducted face-to-face or via the internet, where individuals assemble (or meet virtually) for the primary purpose to exchange technical information and views or explore or clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge, whether or not a published report results from such meeting. The NIH recognizes the value to members of the research community and all other interested parties in supporting such forums.

Title & CCHE Contact

Application Due Date & Purpose

NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Due Dates: December 12, 2024, April 12, 2025, August 12, 2025, December 12, 2025, April 12, 2026, August 12, 2026, December 12, 2026

Supports high quality scientific conferences that are relevant to the NIH's mission and to the public health. A conference is defined as a symposium, seminar, workshop, or any other organized and formal meeting, whether conducted face-to-face or via the internet, where individuals assemble (or meet virtually) for the primary purpose to exchange technical information and views or explore or clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge, whether or not a published report results from such meeting. The NIH recognizes the value to members of the research community and all other interested parties in supporting such forums.