Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 324
The Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award Extension Request (R37) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity designed to give Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) longer-term research support. The central idea is to reduce the pressure ESIs often face to rapidly generate renewal applications and instead provide additional protected time to build a research program, pursue creative and innovative directions, and become more established as independent investigators. This funding opportunity follows NCI guidance referenced in NOT-CA-18-037 and is structured to support eligible investigators for as long as 7 total years, delivered in two segments.
This particular posting is labeled as a "Type 4 eSubmission" and is "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The opportunity is issued by the National Institutes of Health, with the National Cancer Institute as the sponsoring institute, and it sits within NIH health and education-related funding activity categories. It is listed under multiple CFDA numbers (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, 93.399), reflecting NCI's broad cancer research and related program areas.
Eligibility is broad and includes many standard government, academic, nonprofit, and private-sector entities that can apply for NIH grants. Examples include state, county, and city or township 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-U.S. (foreign) entities, and applicants located in a U.S. territory or possession.
Key administrative details from the source listing include the Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-324, with a creation date of 2025-01-06 and an original closing date of 2028-09-07. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the provided fields, so applicants would typically look to the full NIH funding announcement text and related NCI policies for budgeting expectations, allowable costs, and any institute-specific constraints. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an NCI mechanism to extend the timeline and stability of support for promising ESIs, giving them a longer runway to advance cancer-related research programs and strengthen their long-term career trajectory without the immediate churn of frequent renewal cycles.Apply for PAR 25 324
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award Extension Request (Type 4 eSubmission 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, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-09-07.
- 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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FAQs: NCI Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award Extension Request (R37)
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award Extension Request (R37), a discretionary NIH grant mechanism sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It is designed to provide longer-term research support to eligible Early Stage Investigators (ESIs).
What is the main purpose of the MERIT Award Extension Request (R37)?
The central purpose is to reduce the pressure ESIs often face to quickly produce renewal applications. By extending support, the program aims to give investigators additional protected time to build a research program, pursue creative and innovative directions, and become more established as independent investigators.
Who is this opportunity intended to support?
Based on the provided description, it is intended to support Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) by giving them a longer runway to advance cancer-related research programs and strengthen their long-term career trajectory.
Which agency and institute are offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as the sponsoring institute.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-25-324.
What does it mean that this posting is a "Type 4 eSubmission"?
The listing identifies the posting as a "Type 4 eSubmission." The provided information does not define what "Type 4" entails operationally, so applicants would typically confirm the exact submission expectations and required systems by reviewing the full NIH funding announcement text.
Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?
No. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial is not required. Applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate.
How long can funding support last under this mechanism?
The opportunity is structured to support eligible investigators for as long as 7 total years, delivered in two segments.
Is this opportunity connected to any specific NCI/NIH guidance?
Yes. The opportunity follows NCI guidance referenced in NOT-CA-18-037.
What research areas does this opportunity cover?
The listing indicates that the opportunity is sponsored by NCI and is tied to broad cancer research and related program areas, as reflected by multiple CFDA numbers associated with NCI programs.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under multiple CFDA numbers: 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.397, and 93.399.
What funding activity categories does this opportunity fall under?
It sits within NIH health and education-related funding activity categories, as described in the provided listing summary.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The creation date shown in the source listing is 2025-01-06.
What is the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date shown in the source listing is 2028-09-07.
Does the listing provide an award ceiling (maximum award amount)?
No. The provided fields do not include an award ceiling. The listing suggests applicants would typically consult the full NIH funding announcement text and related NCI policies for budgeting expectations and any constraints.
Does the listing provide the expected number of awards?
No. The provided fields do not state an expected number of awards. Applicants would generally look to the full announcement and relevant NIH/NCI policies for additional planning context.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many common NIH-eligible entity types. Examples explicitly listed include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township 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
- Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, TCCUs, and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement explicitly includes eligible federal agencies among the highlighted eligible applicant types.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. The announcement explicitly includes non-U.S. (foreign) entities as eligible applicants.
Are applicants in U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly includes applicants located in a U.S. territory or possession.
Why might an ESI consider pursuing this MERIT extension mechanism?
The provided description emphasizes stability and time: the mechanism is meant to reduce near-term renewal pressure and provide added protected time so an ESI can build an independent research program, explore innovative directions, and become more established as an investigator.
Where should applicants look for budgeting rules, allowable costs, and institute-specific constraints?
The listing indicates that key budgeting fields (like award ceiling) are not provided in the summary. Applicants would typically consult the full NIH funding announcement text for PAR-25-324 and related NCI policies for budgeting expectations, allowable costs, and institute-specific constraints.
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