Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for P50 Research Center Grants for Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE). This is a re-issuance of PAR-23-284. The program will fund P50 SPORE grants to support state-of-the-art investigator-initiated translational research that will contribute to improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of an organ-specific cancer or a highly related group of cancers. For the purpose of this NOFO, a group of highly related cancers are those that are derived from the same organ system, such as gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine, head and neck, and other cancers. Other programmatically appropriate groups of cancers may include those centered around a common biological mechanism critical for promoting tumorigenesis and/or cancer progression in organ sites that belong to different organ systems. For example, a SPORE may focus on cancers caused by the same infectious agent or cancers promoted and sustained by dysregulation of a common signaling pathway. In addition, a SPORE may focus on cross-cutting themes such as pediatric cancers or epigenetics. The research supported through this program must be translational and must stem from research on human biology using cellular, molecular, structural, biochemical, and/or genetic experimental approaches. SPORE projects must have the goal of reaching a translational human endpoint within the project period of the grant.
Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for Years 2024, 2025, and 2026 (P50 Clinical Trial Required)
National Institutes of Health · Opportunity number PAR-23-284
Details summarized from the official notice as of Sep 26, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.
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Key facts
| Opportunity number | PAR-23-284 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Institutes of Health Department of Health and Human Services |
| Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA) | 93.121, 93.395 |
| Posted | Sep 22, 2023 |
| Deadline | Sep 25, 2026 |
| Expected number of awards | 12 |
| Estimated total program funding | $25,000,000 |
| Cost sharing or matching required | No |
| Funding type | Grant |
| Category | Health |
| Last updated here | Sep 26, 2026 |
Summary from the notice
Who can apply
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
- Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
- Special district governments
- Public and state colleges and universities
- Public and Indian housing authorities
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- State governments
- County governments
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- City or township governments
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
- Private colleges and universities
- Small businesses
- Independent school districts
Who should take a closer look
- Small businesses
- Nonprofits
- Colleges and universities
- State governments
- Local governments
- Tribal governments and organizations
- Larger for-profit companies
Not listed as eligible
- Individuals
Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.
Eligibility details from the notice
Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).
Registrations you will likely need
Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.
- SAM.gov registration for your organization, which also gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.
- A Login.gov account, which Grants.gov uses for sign-in.
- A Grants.gov applicant registration linked to your organization's UEI.
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