Biology of Lung, and Head and Neck Preneoplasias (R21) | PAR 17 460

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 460

The Biology of Lung, and Head and Neck Preneoplasias (R21) funding opportunity (PAR-17-460) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program that supports exploratory, early-stage research focused on the biology and mechanisms of preneoplasia that can lead to lung cancer and head and neck (HN) cancers. The core purpose is to move beyond simply cataloging markers associated with early epithelial injury in the aerodigestive tract and instead dig into the underlying molecular and cellular events that actually start preneoplastic change and propel it toward invasive disease. Even with better treatments and a growing molecular understanding of established tumors, lung and head and neck cancers remain major causes of illness and death in the U.S. and worldwide, which makes prevention and very early interception a high-impact area. This FOA is positioned to accelerate that shift by funding projects that clarify how early lesions form, persist, evolve, and eventually become malignant.

Scientifically, the FOA emphasizes functional understanding of the key molecular changes involved in both the formation of preneoplastic lesions and their progression. The description highlights that molecular markers of early injury across the aerodigestive epithelial field have been identified, but that the field still lacks clear mechanistic explanations for initiation and progression. In practical terms, this means the NIH is looking for projects that can explain causality: what pathways, cell states, microenvironmental pressures, immune interactions, genomic or epigenomic alterations, or exposure-related effects trigger preneoplasia, and which of those changes are necessary or sufficient for progression. By clarifying these steps, the research funded under this program is intended to strengthen the broader understanding of oncogenic progression and lay groundwork for improved prevention approaches, early detection strategies, and interventions that can halt or reverse preneoplastic development before invasive cancer emerges.

The mechanism is an R21, which is typically used for exploratory and developmental research where investigators are testing innovative concepts, generating foundational mechanistic data, or pursuing higher-risk ideas that could open up new directions. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $200,000. The funding activity category is Health (CFDA 93.396), and the instrument type is a grant. The FOA’s stated intent is to stimulate studies that meaningfully advance knowledge of preneoplasia biology relevant to lung and head and neck cancers, with the expectation that better mechanistic insight will translate into more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies over time.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public and private organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city/township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. It also explicitly includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments. In addition, the FOA calls out several other eligible applicant types, 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility signals an interest in attracting diverse scientific perspectives and enabling participation from many institutional settings, including community-focused and international partners where relevant.

Key administrative details included in the source data are the opportunity title (Biology of Lung, and Head and Neck Preneoplasias (R21)), the opportunity number (PAR-17-460), and the original closing date listed as 2017-08-16, with a creation date of 2017-08-15. The opportunity category is discretionary, and the announcement is housed under NIH. Overall, the program’s central goal is to fund mechanistic, biologically grounded research that explains how preneoplastic changes arise and progress in lung and head and neck tissues, thereby enabling more rational and effective approaches to cancer prevention, early interception, and improved clinical outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biology of Lung, and Head and Neck Preneoplasias (R21)" 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 2017-08-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-08-16. (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.

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