Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 128

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 128

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering a discretionary research grant opportunity titled "Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-128). This Notice of Funding Opportunity focuses on supporting exploratory and early-stage studies that improve scientific understanding of how bladder cancer starts, develops, and becomes aggressive. Bladder cancer is highlighted as a major public health problem in the United States and worldwide, not only because it is relatively common, but also because it tends to recur frequently, creating long-term medical and financial burden for patients and health systems.

The central aim of the program is to push beyond existing genomic and molecular profiling work and move toward deeper, mechanism-based biology. While researchers have identified many mutations and molecular features in bladder tumors, the NOFO emphasizes that the field still lacks a strong understanding of the actual molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive tumor initiation, progression, recurrence, and malignancy. NCI is therefore encouraging projects that clarify cause-and-effect biology, such as how specific pathways, cell states, tissue interactions, or microenvironmental factors contribute to bladder tumor behavior and evolution over time.

A key point in the announcement is that progress in bladder cancer research is limited partly because the basic biology of the normal bladder is not fully understood at the molecular, cellular, and organ levels. This funding opportunity explicitly invites research that builds fundamental knowledge of normal bladder processes and then connects that knowledge to cancer biology. In practical terms, applications may be stronger when they examine both normal and malignant biology, or when they explain how typical bladder cellular functions are altered, rewired, or disrupted during cancer development. The overall expectation is that a clearer picture of normal bladder biology and its cancer-associated changes will help the field identify better prevention strategies, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic interventions.

NCI also signals that it values team science and translational relevance within a biology-focused framework. Applications involving multidisciplinary teams are encouraged, particularly when they integrate complementary expertise (for example, cancer biology, immunology, urology, pathology, genomics, computational biology, bioengineering, or model systems). The NOFO also encourages the use of clinical specimens, which suggests an interest in studies grounded in human disease biology, including analyses of patient-derived tumor samples, matched normal tissue, longitudinal specimens, or other clinically relevant materials. Although the mechanism is "clinical trial optional," applicants are not required to run a clinical trial; studies can be basic, translational, or clinically informed, as long as they are aimed at understanding underlying bladder cancer biology.

The award uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically designed for exploratory, high-impact ideas that may be earlier in development than an R01 project. The posted award ceiling is $200,000. The original closing date listed for this opportunity is 2025-09-07. The program sits within the Education and Health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.393.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations. Standard eligible applicants listed include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other entities. The NOFO also explicitly calls out 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-U.S. (foreign) organizations. This broad eligibility signals an intent to attract diverse institutions and perspectives, including those with unique access to patient populations, biospecimens, or specialized scientific capabilities.

In summary, PAR-25-128 is a bladder cancer biology-focused R21 funding opportunity from NCI aimed at generating new mechanistic insights into how bladder cancer begins and progresses, while also filling foundational gaps in normal bladder biology. It encourages multidisciplinary approaches, use of clinical specimens, and projects that connect normal and cancer processes, with the long-term goal of enabling better interventions grounded in a more complete understanding of bladder cancer mechanisms.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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 25 128

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