Physical Sciences-Oncology Network (PS-ON): Physical Sciences-Oncology Projects (PS-OP) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 101

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 101

The Physical Sciences-Oncology Network (PS-ON): Physical Sciences-Oncology Projects (PS-OP) funding opportunity (PAR 19-101) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program that uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism, with clinical trials listed as optional. The program is designed to push cancer research forward by deliberately blending the tools, theories, and ways of thinking found in the physical sciences with the questions and realities of oncology. Instead of supporting large single-discipline lab efforts, the FOA emphasizes small, tightly connected teams where physical scientists and cancer experts work side by side from the start, shaping the research direction together rather than handing work off in sequence.

The central purpose of the PS-OP awards is to promote real convergence between fields like engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science and the communities focused on cancer biology and clinical oncology. The FOA is aimed at projects that do more than just apply a new tool to a biological system; it is looking for transdisciplinary work where physical science concepts help explain cancer behavior and where cancer problems, in turn, motivate new models, measurements, or design principles. In practical terms, this could include experimental systems, quantitative modeling, theory-driven hypothesis testing, computational approaches, or new measurement and imaging strategies, as long as the research is rooted in physical sciences perspectives and addresses meaningful cancer questions.

A defining feature is that each funded PS-OP is not expected to operate in isolation. Awardees become part of a coordinated network that includes other PS-OP projects and the Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers (PS-OC). This networked structure is meant to create shared momentum across the portfolio, encouraging collaboration, communication, and alignment on big conceptual challenges. Collectively, the network is intended to (1) establish and normalize physical sciences perspectives within the broader cancer research community, (2) strengthen team science and accelerate field convergence at the physical sciences-cancer interface, and (3) test physical-sciences-based experimental and theoretical ideas about cancer in ways that generate innovative explanations or solutions to persistent problems in oncology.

Because this is a U01 cooperative agreement, NIH staff typically have a more active partnership role than they would under a standard research project grant. While the FOA text provided does not go into operational details, the cooperative agreement format generally signals closer coordination with the funding institute and stronger expectations around collaboration, milestones, and participation in network activities. The overall emphasis is on generating knowledge and approaches that can shift how cancer is understood and studied, particularly by introducing mechanistic, quantitative, and theory-informed frameworks that complement traditional biological and clinical perspectives.

Eligibility is broad and spans many organization types. In addition to common eligible applicants such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), the FOA explicitly highlights a wide range of mission- and community-serving institutions and entities. These include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also lists faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations, as well as Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized. This breadth reflects an intent to draw expertise from many sectors and to widen participation in transdisciplinary cancer research.

Key administrative details from the source data include an award ceiling of $499,999 and an original closing date of September 30, 2020, with the opportunity first created on December 12, 2018. The funding activity category is listed under education and health, and the opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.286, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399), indicating involvement across NIH cancer-related and research infrastructure programs. Overall, the FOA is best understood as a targeted effort to build a collaborative research ecosystem where physical science thinking is not just an add-on, but a core driver of new cancer insights and solutions.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Physical Sciences-Oncology Network (PS-ON): Physical Sciences-Oncology Projects (PS-OP) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.286, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-30. (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 $499,999.00 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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