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.Apply for PAR 19 101
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the PS-ON: Physical Sciences-Oncology Projects (PS-OP) funding opportunity?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program called the Physical Sciences-Oncology Network (PS-ON): Physical Sciences-Oncology Projects (PS-OP), under funding opportunity PAR 19-101. It supports research projects intended to advance cancer research by integrating physical sciences perspectives directly into oncology research questions and methods.
What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism. A U01 typically indicates that NIH staff may have a more active partnership role than under a standard research project grant, and that there may be stronger expectations for coordination, milestones, and participation in network activities.
Are clinical trials allowed under this program?
Yes. Clinical trials are listed as optional for this funding opportunity.
What is the overall goal of the PS-OP program?
The program is designed to push cancer research forward by deliberately combining tools, theories, and approaches from the physical sciences with real oncology questions. The intent is to generate knowledge and approaches that can shift how cancer is understood and studied, especially through mechanistic, quantitative, and theory-informed frameworks that complement traditional biological and clinical perspectives.
What kinds of teams does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA emphasizes small, tightly connected, transdisciplinary teams where physical scientists and cancer experts work side by side from the beginning. The expectation is that research direction is shaped together, rather than work being handed off sequentially between disciplines.
Which disciplines are specifically encouraged to converge in PS-OP projects?
The FOA highlights convergence between fields such as engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science and the communities focused on cancer biology and clinical oncology.
What does the FOA mean by "convergence" or "transdisciplinary" research?
The FOA is looking for work that goes beyond simply applying a new tool to a biological system. It emphasizes projects where physical science concepts help explain cancer behavior and where cancer problems motivate new models, new measurements, or new design principles. The intended outcome is a genuine blending of theories, methods, and problem-framing across disciplines.
What types of research approaches are in scope for this FOA?
Examples described include experimental systems, quantitative modeling, theory-driven hypothesis testing, computational approaches, and new measurement and imaging strategies, as long as they are rooted in physical sciences perspectives and address meaningful cancer questions.
Do funded PS-OP projects operate independently, or as part of a larger effort?
Funded PS-OP awardees are expected to be part of a coordinated network. The network includes other PS-OP projects and the Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers (PS-OC). This structure is meant to encourage collaboration, communication, and alignment around major conceptual challenges.
What is the Physical Sciences-Oncology Network (PS-ON) intended to achieve collectively?
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 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 oncology problems.
How does the cooperative agreement (U01) structure affect awardees?
While the provided text does not list operational details, it notes that the U01 cooperative agreement format generally signals closer coordination with the funding institute and stronger expectations around collaboration, milestones, and participation in network activities compared to a standard research project grant.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is broad and includes 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). It also includes eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.
Are mission- or community-serving institutions explicitly included in the eligibility list?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights 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.
Are Tribal Governments eligible even if they are not federally recognized?
Yes. The eligibility list includes Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.
What is the award ceiling for this funding opportunity?
The award ceiling listed in the source data is $499,999.
When was this opportunity created, and when did it close?
The opportunity was first created on December 12, 2018. The original closing date listed is September 30, 2020.
What is the funding activity category associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed under education and health.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.286, 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399.
What is the key distinguishing feature of PS-OP compared to single-discipline cancer research projects?
A core distinguishing feature is the expectation of true field convergence: small, integrated teams co-developing the research direction from the start, with physical science ideas and oncology problems shaping each other. Another distinguishing feature is that each project becomes part of a coordinated network (PS-ON) rather than functioning in isolation.
What kinds of outcomes is the FOA aiming for?
The FOA emphasizes outcomes that can change how cancer is understood and studied, particularly by introducing mechanistic, quantitative, and theory-informed approaches that generate innovative explanations or potential solutions to persistent problems in oncology.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 19 101) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 113 Funding Number: PAR 19 113 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 111 Funding Number: PA 19 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Improving Outcomes in Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 112 Funding Number: PA 19 112 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 130 Funding Number: PA 19 130 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Laboratories for Early Clinical Evaluation of Pharmacotherapies for Substance Use Disorders (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 19 018 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 133 Funding Number: PAR 19 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 136 Funding Number: PAR 19 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Analytical Tools and Approaches for (Multidimensional) Scholarly Research Assessment and Decision Support in the Biomedical Enterprise (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 030 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Analytical Tools and Approaches for (Multidimensional) Scholarly Research Assessment and Decision Support in the Biomedical Enterprise (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 19 031 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revisions for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U2C Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 028 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Drug Discovery For Nervous System Disorders (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 147 Funding Number: PAR 19 147 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug Discovery For Nervous System Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 146 Funding Number: PAR 19 146 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 159 Funding Number: PAR 19 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 153 Funding Number: PAR 19 153 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 150 Funding Number: PAR 19 150 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 149 Funding Number: PAR 19 149 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Accelerating the Pace of Child Health Research Using Existing Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 162 Funding Number: PAR 19 162 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mobile Technologies Extending Reach of Primary Care for Substance-Use-Disorders (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 022 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mobile Technologies Extending Reach of Primary Care for Substance-Use-Disorders (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 021 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (UM1 Clinical Trials Required) Apply for RFA CA 19 007 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
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