Biology of Bladder Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 168

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 168

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering an R01 grant opportunity titled "Biology of Bladder Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PAR 19 168). This announcement supports research projects focused on understanding the core biology of bladder cancer, with an emphasis on uncovering the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive how bladder cancer starts, progresses, and becomes more aggressive. The program frames bladder cancer as a major public health issue in the United States and worldwide, noting that its high incidence and especially its tendency to recur frequently create a disproportionately large medical and economic burden over time.

A key motivation for the funding is that, despite meaningful recent advances in molecular profiling of bladder tumors and the identification of mutated genes, there is still a major gap in knowledge about the actual biological mechanisms connecting those molecular findings to disease behavior. In other words, the FOA is looking for studies that go beyond listing mutations or tumor subtypes and instead explain how specific molecular changes alter cell behavior, tissue organization, and tumor evolution in ways that lead to initiation, progression, and malignancy. The announcement also highlights an additional gap that often receives less attention: limited understanding of the normal bladder itself at molecular, cellular, and organ levels. NIH is signaling that stronger foundational knowledge of normal bladder biology and physiology is important because it provides the baseline needed to clearly see what changes in cancer and why those changes matter.

The overall goal is to build fundamental, mechanism-based knowledge that can strengthen the field's ability to design better prevention strategies, diagnostics, and interventions. Projects are encouraged to study how molecular and cellular functions in the bladder are altered during cancer development, and applicants are invited to connect normal bladder processes with cancer processes rather than treating them as completely separate topics. The FOA also encourages multidisciplinary approaches, implying that strong applications may combine expertise across areas such as cancer biology, urology, genetics and epigenetics, immunology, pathology, systems biology, computational analysis, bioengineering, or related fields, depending on the research question.

This is an R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven research programs that can support a defined, multi-aim project. Clinical trials are optional under this FOA, so applicants may propose either non-clinical mechanistic research or research that involves clinical trial components, as long as the work fits the scientific focus on bladder cancer biology. NIH specifically encourages the use of clinical specimens, which suggests a preference for studies grounded in human disease biology (for example, work using patient tumor samples, matched normal tissue, blood or urine biospecimens, organoids derived from patients, or other clinically relevant materials), while still welcoming complementary model systems when appropriate.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly apply for NIH grants: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also explicitly lists additional eligible applicant groups, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), tribal governments and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized governments), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations. This broad eligibility language is meant to widen participation and encourage diverse institutions and collaborations to contribute to bladder cancer research.

Administrative details from the source show it is categorized as a discretionary grant opportunity in the health and education activity areas, tied to CFDA numbers 93.393 and 93.396, and administered by NIH. The original closing date listed in the source is 2019-02-05, and the notice creation date is 2019-01-24. No award ceiling or expected number of awards is provided in the supplied listing, so those specifics are not available from the excerpt.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biology of Bladder Cancer (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): 93.393, 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-01-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-02-05. (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 19 168

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