PAR-25-153
Assay development and screening for discovery of chemical probes, drugs or immunomodulators (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Summary
PAR-25-153: Assay Development and Screening for Chemical Probes and Drugs
Research Focus
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks discovery research to identify small molecules that function as chemical probes for cancer biology or as activators/inhibitors of cancer targets for therapy. Research spans three stages: (1) development and pilot testing of primary screening assays; (2) high-throughput or moderate-throughput screen implementation to identify hits; and (3) hit validation using orthogonal assays, cheminformatics, and medicinal chemistry to prioritize candidates and characterize mechanism of action.
Small molecules may target tumor cells directly or immune cells regulating tumor growth, including those affecting checkpoint inhibitor pathways or emerging immune-mediated control mechanisms. Priority areas include pediatric fusion oncoproteins, small cell lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Assays may be target-based (biochemical/cellular), pathway-based, or phenotype-based, employing detection methods such as fluorescence, FRET, TR-FRET, flow cytometry, electrophysiology, or biophysical approaches. The program emphasizes rigorous target identification, reproducible primary assays, orthogonal hit validation schemes, and involvement of synthetic/medicinal chemists to eliminate false positives and undesirable chemotypes (PAINS).
At-a-Glance
- Who can apply: Not stated (see full FOA for institutional eligibility)
- Funding & project length: Not stated in excerpt
- Award mechanism: R01 Research Project Grant (clinical trials not allowed)
- Key dates: Open January 5, 2025; multiple application due dates through February 5, 2026; FOA expires September 8, 2026
- Best fit for: Cancer biology researchers developing screening assays, performing high-throughput or phenotypic screens, or validating small-molecule hits; chemists, structural biologists, and immunologists working on probe/drug discovery
Key Facts
Deadline
Mon, September 7, 2026
Posted
Wed, November 6, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$250,000
Max Total
$1,250,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (3)
A Notice of Correction (NOT-CA-25-030) was issued on January 7, 2025, but the specific corrections are not included in the provided text, creating uncertainty about what requirements may have changed.
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Source Text
“January 7, 2025 - Notice of Correction to PAR-25-153 Assay development and screening for discovery of chemical probes, drugs or immunomodulators (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). See Notice NOT-CA-25-030.”
The FOA requires 'strong justification and supporting preliminary data for the stages proposed' when requesting support for more than one stage, but does not specify what constitutes 'strong' or how m
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Source Text
“For applications requesting support for more than one stage, demonstration of feasibility is needed, including strong justification and supporting preliminary data for the stages proposed.”
The FOA encourages projects on 'pediatric fusion oncoproteins' and 'novel targets in small cell lung cancer or pancreatic cancer' but does not clarify whether applications on other cancer types are eq
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Source Text
“NCI also encourages projects focusing on small molecules that target pediatric fusion oncoproteins or that address novel targets in small cell lung cancer or pancreatic cancer.”