NCI Research Specialist (Core-based Scientist) Award (R50 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 286

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NCI Research Specialist (Core-based Scientist) Award (R50, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - PAR-21-286

What is the NCI Research Specialist (Core-based Scientist) Award (R50)?

The NCI Research Specialist (Core-based Scientist) Award (R50) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding opportunity intended to support highly skilled scientists who play central, long-term roles in cancer research programs but are not positioned to be independent principal investigators. The award is designed around core facilities, shared resources, and central scientific support units that enable and strengthen NCI-funded work.

What is the main purpose of this R50 award?

A defining purpose of the R50 is career stability for exceptional core-based scientists who plan to remain in a collaborative, program-embedded role rather than building an independent research laboratory supported by an R01-type funding portfolio. The program aims to keep specialized expertise anchored within the cancer research enterprise.

Who is this award intended to support?

This opportunity is intended for highly skilled scientists embedded in core facilities or shared-resource environments who provide specialized expertise, operate or advance important platforms, and contribute to multiple NCI-funded projects across basic, translational, clinical, and population science.

What kinds of roles or environments does NCI emphasize for R50 support?

The FOA emphasizes researchers embedded in core facilities, shared resources, or central scientific support units. These are the types of environments that provide enabling technologies, services, and platforms that multiple investigators rely on to conduct NCI-funded cancer research.

What kinds of scientific expertise or platforms might be supported under this award?

The opportunity recognizes that many cancer research efforts depend on specialized experts who develop, operate, and advance key methodologies and platforms. Examples mentioned include genomics, proteomics, imaging, biostatistics, informatics, flow cytometry, pathology support, and other enabling technologies and services.

Is this award meant to help someone become an independent principal investigator?

No. The R50 is designed for scientists who intend to stay in a collaborative, program-embedded specialist role, not for those seeking to transition into an independent PI track built around their own R01-type portfolio.

What does the FOA mean by providing "career stability"?

The FOA emphasizes salary support and enough professional autonomy so the specialist is not entirely reliant on other investigators grants for continued employment. The intent is to sustain these careers and retain critical expertise in core-based, shared-resource settings.

What does "professional autonomy" mean in the context of this R50?

Within a team-based, core-supported environment, autonomy generally means the scientist can contribute intellectually, improve core capabilities, drive methodological innovation, and support multiple projects in an NCI-funded setting while remaining a key collaborator rather than the independent leader of a separate research program.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. As stated in the title and eligibility language, clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement (R50, Clinical Trial Not Allowed). The R50-supported activities cannot include conducting an NIH-defined clinical trial as part of the award.

If clinical trials are not allowed, can the work still be related to clinical research?

Yes. The work supported by the R50 can still be relevant to clinical research, but the award cannot support conducting an NIH-defined clinical trial. The focus is on supporting the specialist role and contributions that strengthen cancer research infrastructure and capability.

Who is the sponsoring agency for this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?

The funding opportunity number is PAR-21-286.

What kind of funding mechanism is this?

This opportunity is issued as a discretionary grant program by NIH/NCI.

What CFDA listings are associated with this opportunity?

The summary information indicates that the opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA listings tied to NCI programs, specifically 93.393 through 93.399.

What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is November 1, 2021.

Is an award ceiling listed in the opportunity summary?

No specific award ceiling is provided in the summary data shown.

Does the summary state how many awards are expected?

No. The summary data shown does not provide an expected number of awards.

What types of U.S. organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and can include domestic entities such as public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and government entities including state, county, city/township, special district governments, as well as independent school districts and public housing/Indian housing authorities.

Are minority-serving institutions and certain community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants including 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), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions among the eligible applicant categories.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility language includes certain tribal governments and organizations among eligible applicants.

Are eligible federal agencies allowed to apply?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes eligible federal agencies as eligible applicants.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic foreign institutions are not eligible to apply under this announcement.

Can a U.S. organization include a non-domestic component in the application?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible under this opportunity.

Are foreign components allowed as defined by NIH?

No. Foreign components, as NIH defines them in its Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

What is the overall intent of limiting foreign involvement?

The opportunity is described as a domestically focused mechanism intended to strengthen U.S. cancer research infrastructure by retaining high-value core and shared-resource scientific talent within NCI-funded programs.

What is the program trying to strengthen in the cancer research enterprise?

The program seeks to strengthen cancer research capability and infrastructure by supporting specialized experts who enable multiple research efforts through shared platforms, methodologies, and services across NCI-funded programs.

Does the R50 focus on supporting a single project or multiple projects?

Based on the description provided, the specialist role is intended to support multiple projects in an NCI-funded environment, reflecting how core facilities and shared resources enable many investigators and research activities.