Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 043

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 043

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is soliciting investigator-initiated research applications under the R01 mechanism through the funding opportunity titled "Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR-25-043). The central aim is to support studies that move beyond the typical short-term bariatric surgery endpoints like weight loss and diabetes control, and instead focus on understanding the biological, behavioral, and clinical mechanisms through which bariatric surgery may change a persons risk of developing cancer. In other words, NCI is trying to attract bariatric surgery researchers and related experts to pursue cancer-focused questions, especially mechanistic work that can explain why cancer risk appears to shift after surgery and for whom those effects are most relevant.

This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant program in the health and education domain, using the NIH R01 Funding Instrument. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The NOFO is designed to fund rigorous, hypothesis-driven research that can clarify pathways linking bariatric procedures to downstream cancer-related outcomes, potentially including (as examples of the types of mechanism-oriented themes NCI typically seeks in such initiatives) changes in metabolism, inflammation, immune function, hormones, bile acids, the gut microbiome, nutrient sensing, adipose biology, or other systemic changes that plausibly influence carcinogenesis, tumor promotion, or cancer progression. The emphasis is on understanding causal or explanatory mechanisms rather than simply documenting associations.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and governments. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local governments; 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; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are important restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S.-based applicant organization can include certain international elements or collaborations if they meet NIH policy requirements, even though a foreign organization cannot be the applicant institution itself.

Key administrative details included in the source information are that the opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.393, 93.396, and 93.399, and it was created on 2024-09-05. The original closing date listed is 2028-01-07, indicating a multi-year window during which applications may be accepted according to the NOFOs submission schedule. The award ceiling shown is 500,000, which typically reflects a cap or a referenced upper bound in the summarized listing (applicants would still need to follow the detailed budget and project period rules described in the full NOFO and NIH policy). The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided data.

Overall, this NOFO is essentially a targeted call from NCI to build the evidence base on how bariatric surgery influences cancer risk by funding mechanistic, cancer-relevant research using the R01 framework. It encourages proposals that can explain underlying pathways, identify which patient subgroups may experience altered cancer risk, and generate insights that could shape future cancer prevention strategies, post-surgical surveillance approaches, or mechanistically informed interventions in populations undergoing bariatric procedures.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (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, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 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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