Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 124
Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R21) (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-17-124) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant opportunity focused on understanding how people actually perceive and think while interpreting cancer-related images. The central idea is that many diagnostic errors or missed findings in radiology and pathology are not only technical or equipment-related, but can also arise from human perceptual limits, attention, visual search behavior, memory, decision thresholds, and other cognitive factors that shape how an observer detects, identifies, and classifies abnormalities. By funding studies that examine these underlying processes, the program aims to generate practical knowledge that can be used to improve the accuracy, reliability, and consistency of cancer detection and diagnosis from medical images.
The FOA uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) mechanism, which is designed for early-stage, high-potential projects that test novel ideas, create or adapt new tools or technologies, explore new model systems, or open up new research directions that could have meaningful impact on biomedical or biobehavioral research. A key feature of the R21 format is that applicants are not expected to provide extensive preliminary data; the emphasis is on a strong rationale, clear innovation, and a well-justified approach appropriate for an exploratory study. This structure is meant to encourage creative, higher-risk concepts that could later be scaled into larger programs of research if the initial findings are promising.
In practical terms, projects responsive to this opportunity would center on image observers in radiology and pathology and investigate the perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that drive performance. That can include, for example, how visual attention is allocated during image search, why certain lesions are systematically overlooked, how fatigue or workload affects interpretation, how experience and training change perceptual expertise, how observers integrate contextual cues and prior probabilities into decisions, or how biases and decision heuristics influence diagnostic calls. The emphasis is not simply on building better imaging hardware, but on understanding the human side of image interpretation in ways that can inform better workflows, training methods, decision supports, interfaces, or evaluation strategies that ultimately reduce diagnostic error and improve cancer care.
Eligibility is broad, reflecting NIH’s intent to support a wide range of institutions and organizational types. Eligible applicants include state, county, 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; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as 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. (foreign) organizations. This wide eligibility supports participation from diverse research environments, including organizations that may bring unique populations, expertise, or real-world clinical settings relevant to image interpretation.
From the source details provided, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the education and health activity area, associated with CFDA numbers 93.286 and 93.394. The listed award ceiling is $200,000. The FOA creation date is January 18, 2017, and the original closing date shown is January 23, 2018. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an NIH effort to strengthen the science of how clinicians and other expert observers interpret cancer images, using exploratory R21 projects to uncover actionable insights into perception and cognition that can translate into more accurate and dependable diagnostic practice.Apply for PAR 17 124
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.286, 93.394.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-23. (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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R21).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-17-124.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The goal is to support research that explains how people actually perceive, attend, search, remember, and decide while interpreting cancer-related medical images, so that findings can be used to improve the accuracy, reliability, and consistency of cancer detection and diagnosis.
What problem is this program trying to address?
The FOA is based on the idea that diagnostic errors or missed findings in radiology and pathology are not only caused by technical limitations or equipment issues. They can also result from human perceptual and cognitive factors, such as limited attention, visual search behavior, memory constraints, decision thresholds, fatigue, workload, bias, and the use of heuristics.
What kinds of images and settings are the focus of the research?
Projects are expected to center on image observers in radiology and pathology who interpret cancer-related images and make decisions about detection, identification, and classification of abnormalities.
What does "perception and cognition" mean in the context of this FOA?
In this FOA, perception and cognition refer to the processes that shape how an observer interprets images, including visual attention, visual search, memory, decision thresholds, context integration, and the influence of biases and decision heuristics.
What types of research questions appear responsive to this opportunity?
Examples mentioned include studying how attention is allocated during image search, why certain lesions are systematically overlooked, how fatigue or workload affects interpretation, how experience and training change perceptual expertise, how observers use contextual cues and prior probabilities, and how biases or heuristics influence diagnostic calls.
Is this FOA about developing better imaging hardware?
The emphasis is not simply on building better imaging hardware. The FOA focuses on understanding the human side of image interpretation in ways that can inform improvements to workflows, training, decision support, interfaces, or evaluation strategies that reduce diagnostic error and improve cancer care.
What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This FOA uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) mechanism.
What is an R21 intended for?
The R21 mechanism is designed for early-stage, high-potential projects that test novel ideas, develop or adapt new tools or technologies, explore new model systems, or open new research directions with potential impact on biomedical or biobehavioral research.
Are applicants expected to have extensive preliminary data for an R21?
No. A key feature of the R21 format described here is that applicants are not expected to provide extensive preliminary data. The emphasis is on a strong rationale, clear innovation, and a well-justified approach suitable for an exploratory study.
What type of funding instrument is this?
The Funding Instrument Type listed is a Grant.
What activity areas are associated with this opportunity?
The activity area is listed as education and health.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.286 and 93.394.
What is the award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000.
When was the FOA created?
The FOA creation date is January 18, 2017.
What is the original closing date shown?
The original closing date shown is January 23, 2018.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organizations, including government entities, educational institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, small businesses, tribal entities, and other eligible organizations as described in the FOA details.
Are government entities eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments and special district governments.
Are educational institutions eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible applicants include independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education. The FOA also highlights eligibility for institutions such as HBCUs, HSIs, TCCUs, and other serving institutions.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized.
Are nonprofits eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Are for-profit organizations eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights faith-based or community-based organizations as additional eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights eligibility for U.S. territories or possessions.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights eligibility for non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.
Does the FOA specifically encourage participation from certain institution types?
The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible categories including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), among others.
What kinds of practical outcomes is this research intended to inform?
The FOA emphasizes producing actionable knowledge that can inform improvements such as better workflows, training methods, decision supports, interfaces, or evaluation strategies to reduce diagnostic error and improve cancer care.
What is the central idea behind this program's approach to improving diagnosis?
The central idea is that improving diagnostic performance requires understanding not only the image and the technology, but also the observer, including the perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that shape what gets noticed, how it is interpreted, and how final diagnostic decisions are made.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R01) Apply for PAR 17 125 Funding Number: PAR 17 125 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3) Apply for PAR 17 128 Funding Number: PAR 17 128 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Response Assessment (U01) Apply for PAR 17 129 Funding Number: PAR 17 129 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R21) Apply for PA 17 137 Funding Number: PA 17 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R01) Apply for PA 17 136 Funding Number: PA 17 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINR Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) Apply for PAR 17 133 Funding Number: PAR 17 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) (U54) Apply for RFA NS 17 021 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Activities to Promote Technology Research Collaborations (APTRC) for Cancer Research (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 17 143 Funding Number: PA 17 143 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R21) Apply for PAR 17 150 Funding Number: PAR 17 150 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R01) Apply for PAR 17 151 Funding Number: PAR 17 151 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptome (R21) Apply for PAR 17 152 Funding Number: PAR 17 152 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptomics (R01) Apply for PAR 17 153 Funding Number: PAR 17 153 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 17 157 Funding Number: PA 17 157 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Data Science Research: Personal Health Libraries for Consumers and Patients (R01) Apply for PAR 17 159 Funding Number: PAR 17 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Evaluating the NIDA Standardized Research E-Cigarette in Risk Reduction and Related Studies (U01) Apply for PAR 17 156 Funding Number: PAR 17 156 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 17 155 Funding Number: PA 17 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Phase Clinical Trials in Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (R01) Apply for PAR 17 167 Funding Number: PAR 17 167 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01) Apply for PAR 17 171 Funding Number: PAR 17 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (U01) Apply for PAR 17 185 Funding Number: PAR 17 185 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) for the Treatment of Mental or Substance Use Disorders or Alcohol Addiction (U19) Apply for PAR 17 186 Funding Number: PAR 17 186 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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