Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers (U10) | RFA CA 17 057

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 17 057

The Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers (U10) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-17-057) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to support the continued operation of Statistics and Data Management Centers (SDMCs) within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). The core aim is to fund organizations that can maintain an SDMC that serves as the statistical and data backbone for an affiliated NCTN Network Group Operations Center. In practical terms, the SDMC is expected to supply the high-level statistical expertise and robust data management infrastructure needed to design, run, monitor, and analyze complex multi-site cancer clinical trials. Because it is a cooperative agreement (U10), awardees should expect substantial NCI program involvement and close collaboration with NCI and the broader NCTN partners, rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

The work supported by this FOA centers on ensuring that NCTN trials are scientifically strong and operationally sound from start to finish. That typically includes designing trials with appropriate endpoints, sample sizes, randomization methods, and analysis plans; building and maintaining systems for capturing, cleaning, validating, and locking clinical trial data; supporting interim monitoring and final analyses; and producing the statistical outputs required for reporting, oversight, and publication. The SDMC role is closely tied to the trials led by the associated Operations Center, meaning the SDMC functions as an integrated partner in the network group’s clinical research pipeline. While the provided synopsis does not list specific required cores or deliverables, the stated purpose makes clear that the SDMC must be capable of supporting the full lifecycle of NCTN clinical trials with reliable processes, trained personnel, and compliant data practices.

Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types, reflecting the scale and public-health nature of NCTN. Eligible applicants 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; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in that specific nonprofit category); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as allowed by NIH. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis signals that NCI is open to a wide range of institutional homes for SDMC capability, so long as the applicant can credibly operate at NCTN scale and meet the network’s technical and regulatory expectations.

At the same time, there are important limits related to foreign eligibility. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components,” as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In NIH terms, that generally means a U.S. applicant organization can include certain discrete elements of work performed outside the U.S. when scientifically justified and appropriately structured, even though the applicant and primary institutional base must remain domestic under this FOA.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and falls under the education and health activity area, with CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395. The original posting date (creation date) is October 19, 2017, and the original closing date listed is January 19, 2018. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the source data excerpt provided, which often means applicants needed to consult the full FOA text for budget guidance, project period expectations, and the anticipated award count. Overall, this FOA is best understood as targeted support for specialized centers that can deliver the statistical leadership and data management capacity required to keep NCTN network group trials efficient, credible, compliant, and publishable.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers (U10)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394, 93.395.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-19. (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 RFA CA 17 057

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