This funding opportunity announcement (FOA), issued by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants,  supports the development of new research activities in all areas of cancer research. The R21 mechanism is intended to encourage exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of cancer research (biomedical, behavioral, or clinical).

a. Scope: The purpose of this grant is to promote the early and conceptual stages of research efforts on novel scientific ideas that have the potential to substantially advance cancer research in all areas relevant to the mission of the NCI.

Applications submitted should break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications. Projects could assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system that has the potential to enhance health-related research, or, for example, could include the unique and innovative use of an existing methodology to explore a new scientific area.

Long-term projects, or projects designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area, will not be considered for R21 awards.

b. Specific Research Objectives: Proposed projects may involve basic, translational, clinical, and/or population research. Examples of relevant areas include but are not limited to studies of: cancer biology; cancer control; cancer diagnosis; cancer disparities; cancer prevention; and cancer treatment.

c. Funding Scheme: The maximum period is 2 years.

The combined budget for direct costs for the 2-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year. Applicants may request direct costs in $25,000 modules, up to the total direct costs limitation of $275,000 for the combined 2-year award period.

d. Deadlines:

1. VHIR's deadline: February 21st, 2014

2. Official deadline: February 28th, 2014

e. More information: HERE