Impacts of climate change across the cancer control continuum (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 23 153

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 153

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting research grant applications under the funding opportunity titled "Impacts of climate change across the cancer control continuum (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-23-153). The main purpose of this announcement is to support research that examines how climate change is influencing cancer-related outcomes and systems of care across the full cancer control continuum, from prevention and risk reduction through screening and early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care. The "R01" mechanism signals a standard NIH Research Project Grant, and "Clinical Trial Optional" means applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component, but a clinical trial is not required to be eligible.

At a high level, this opportunity is designed for projects that connect climate-driven exposures and events to cancer risks, cancer care delivery, and cancer outcomes. Climate change can shape cancer control in many ways, such as increasing exposure to carcinogenic pollutants (for example, wildfire smoke, particulate matter, and other air toxics), altering patterns of infectious agents linked to cancer, disrupting access to screening and treatment due to extreme weather, and placing additional stress on healthcare infrastructure. The cancer control continuum framing encourages applicants to think broadly about where climate-related factors may be affecting cancer prevention behaviors, the timeliness of screening and diagnosis, the ability of patients to begin or stay on treatment, survivorship needs, and disparities in outcomes, especially in communities facing higher vulnerability to climate hazards.

The program is categorized as a discretionary grant and falls within the Education and Health funding activity area, with CFDA number 93.396. While the announcement text provided here is brief, the emphasis on impacts "across the cancer control continuum" implies NCI interest in research that can identify pathways of harm, quantify effects, and potentially inform interventions, preparedness, and health system adaptations. Depending on the proposed aims, projects could be observational, mechanistic, implementation-oriented, or intervention-focused, and may involve multidisciplinary approaches spanning epidemiology, exposure science, behavioral science, health services research, implementation science, data science, and community-engaged research.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and governments, as well as certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The announcement also 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 wide eligibility signals an intent to attract applications that are geographically diverse and capable of addressing climate and cancer issues in varied settings, including under-resourced communities and regions experiencing disproportionate climate impacts.

Key administrative details from the source include the original posting (creation) date of March 30, 2023, and an original closing date of May 7, 2026. An award ceiling is not specified in the provided data, and the number of expected awards is also not listed here. As with many NIH opportunities, the actual budget and project period are typically determined by the scientific scope and justification in the application, within NIH and NCI policy constraints for R01 mechanisms. Applicants would generally be expected to propose a rigorous research plan, a well-justified budget, and an approach aligned with NCI priorities around cancer prevention and control, health equity, and population health impact.

In practical terms, a competitive application for this opportunity would clearly define the climate-related exposure or disruption being studied (such as extreme heat, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, drought, changes in air quality, or infrastructure impacts), specify where along the cancer control continuum the impact is being assessed (prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliation), and explain why the proposed population or health system setting is important. Strong proposals would typically include credible data sources and methods for linking climate indicators to cancer-relevant endpoints, plans to address confounding and bias, and attention to inequities, since climate burdens and cancer outcomes often cluster in the same communities due to structural and environmental factors. If a clinical trial is proposed, it would need to fit NIH definitions and be justified as the best design to test an intervention or strategy aimed at reducing climate-related cancer risks or mitigating climate-related disruptions in cancer care.

Overall, PAR-23-153 is an NCI research funding opportunity meant to deepen understanding of how climate change is shaping cancer risk and cancer care, and to support evidence that can guide prevention strategies, health system resilience, and equitable cancer control in the face of escalating climate-related hazards.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Impacts of climate change across the cancer control continuum (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-03-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 23 153

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