Data / Federal grants / PAR-27-088
NCI Research Specialist Award for Core and Laboratory-based Scientists (R50 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
National Institutes of Health (Department of Health and Human Services) expects to post this opportunity around September 17, 2026, with applications due around November 20, 2026. It lists 18 awards expected.
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Key facts
- Opportunity number
- PAR-27-088
- Status
- Forecast
- Posted
- May 6, 2026
- Closes
- November 20, 2026
- Expected awards
- 18
- Cost sharing
- Not required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
- Health
- Assistance listing
- 93.393 Cancer Cause and Prevention Research; 93.394 Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research; 93.395 Cancer Treatment Research; 93.396 Cancer Biology Research; 93.397 Cancer Centers Support Grants; 93.398 Cancer Research Manpower; 93.399 Cancer Control
- Contact
- R50 Mailbox · [email protected] · 240-255-0917
Who can apply
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- County governments
- Small businesses
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- State governments
- Special district governments
- City or township governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
Other Eligible ApplicantsFaith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations.
What the agency says
This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) will invite applications for the Research Specialist Award (R50), which provides salary support for exceptional, non-tenure track scientists working in research laboratories and core facilities who make essential contributions to cancer research. The R50 is intended to support stable, long-term research careers for highly skilled scientists who contribute to NCI-funded research programs but do not serve as independent investigators. Research specialists are highly trained, highly productive scientists who are committed to a research career at the bench or dry lab. Working within laboratories, core facilities, and shared resources, they provide critical expertise, technical leadership, and continuity that strengthen the research infrastructure and enhance the productivity of cancer research across basic, translational, clinical, and population sciences. Eligible applicants must have an advanced degree, have contributed to their cancer research program for at least two years, and devote at least half their time to NCI-funded research. Applicants must not have sought independent investigator funding in the last five years. The R50 offers salary support and travel funds to provide both recognition and stability for research specialists whose contributions are essential to the cancer research enterprise. It is anticipated that only outstanding scientists who are committed to a research career within the context of an existing NCI-funded research program, but not serve as independent investigators, will be competitive for this award.
Other open grants from the Department of Health and Human Services
| Opportunity | Status | Closes | Award ceiling | Total funding | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term health outcomes of people living with spina bifida CDC-RFA-DD-26-0222 | Open | Oct 26 | $300,000 | $3,000,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Data Coordination and Outreach Center (U01, Clinical Trials Not Allowed) RFA-HG-27-011 | Open | Oct 30 | $1,250,000 | $2,000,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Innovation Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) RFA-HG-27-013 | Open | Oct 30 | $500,000 | $7,500,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Technology Integration Center (U01, Clinical Trials Optional) RFA-HG-27-012 | Open | Oct 30 | $2,250,000 | $3,000,000 | grants.gov |
| HEAL Initiative: Whole Joint Health Program (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) PAR-27-045 | Open | Oct 30 | grants.gov | ||
| Clinical Observational (CO) Studies in Musculoskeletal, Rheumatic, and Skin Diseases (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) PAR-24-280 | Open | Nov 2 | grants.gov |
All grants open to Nonprofits (501(c)(3)) · All grants open to For profit organizations other than small businesses · All grants open to Public colleges and universities · Everything closing in November 2026
Read from the Grants.gov API, last updated 2026-10-23. The agency's notice on Grants.gov is the official record; check it before you apply.