Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 23 043
The funding opportunity titled "Single Source: AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR; UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" (RFA-CA-23-043) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH Notice of Funding Opportunity designed to make one non-competitive, single-source cooperative agreement award to continue operating and supporting the AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR). It is a reissue of an earlier solicitation (RFA-CA-18-012) and is structured specifically to solicit an application from a named institute (listed in the NOFO text as "(-----institute name-----)"), signaling that NCI intends to fund a single awardee to maintain continuity of this established national and international resource. The application due date listed is 2024-01-09, and the funding mechanism is a UM1 cooperative agreement, meaning NCI will have substantial scientific and programmatic involvement in the project compared with a typical research grant.
At its core, the ACSR exists to solve a practical bottleneck in HIV and HIV-associated cancer research: access to well-characterized human biospecimens linked to meaningful clinical and epidemiologic data. The ACSR functions as an international repository that aggregates and curates specimens spanning multiple phases of the HIV epidemic, including materials collected in the pre-cART era as well as in the post-cART era. This time depth matters because antiretroviral therapy has changed immune function, viral dynamics, cancer risks, and outcomes, so having specimens across eras enables researchers to ask questions that would otherwise be impossible. The repository also emphasizes geographic breadth and diversity, including specimens from the United States, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, and from people with diverse genetic backgrounds and environmental exposures. That breadth supports research that is more generalizable and better suited to understanding how HIV and malignancies behave in different populations and settings.
The specimens in the ACSR are drawn from multiple participant groups to support a wide range of study designs. Collections include materials from people with HIV (PWH), individuals at risk of acquiring HIV, and HIV-uninfected controls, which is important for comparative work and for disentangling effects attributable to HIV infection from other confounders. The specimens come from participants enrolled in clinical trials, observational cohort studies, and other research efforts conducted by HIV investigators and consortia. Beyond passively receiving samples, the ACSR also uses informed, prospective curation strategies aimed at collecting the kinds of specimens the research community is likely to need most, rather than relying solely on opportunistic acquisitions.
A major feature of the ACSR model is access. The NOFO states that specimens and associated data are made available to the broader research community at no cost. This is intended to lower barriers for both clinician investigators and basic scientists, accelerate hypothesis testing, enable validation studies, and encourage use by researchers who may not have the infrastructure or patient access to build their own large specimen collections. In practice, resources like this typically support studies ranging from biomarker discovery and validation to viral oncology, immunology, tumor genomics, translational pathology, and investigations into cancer prevention, screening, treatment response, and mechanisms of oncogenesis in the context of HIV.
In addition to its general mission as a community resource, the ACSR has a formal operational role as the biorepository for the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC). The AMC is an NCI-funded multicenter clinical trials group focused on treatment and prevention research for HIV-associated malignancies. Under this NOFO, continuing ACSR support includes maintaining biorepository capabilities that serve AMC trials, including coordination for multiple repository sites. The description indicates the ACSR is currently supporting two domestic biorepositories along with biorepository capacity in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America for AMC needs, underscoring that the award supports not only specimen storage but also the logistics, harmonization, and data/specimen management required for multicenter clinical research networks.
From an eligibility and competition standpoint, this is not an open, fully competitive opportunity. It is explicitly described as a non-competitive single-source solicitation intended for a particular institute, with the expectation of a single award. The NOFO also states that non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which is consistent with the ACSR's international specimen footprint and the need to interact with, collect from, or coordinate activities in other countries under appropriate NIH policy and oversight.
Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, with activity categories listed under education and health and CFDA numbers including 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399. The "Clinical Trials Not Allowed" designation indicates the award itself is not intended to run clinical trials; instead, it supports the infrastructure and operations of a biospecimen and data repository and its service role for the wider research community and the AMC clinical trials network. Overall, the NOFO is best understood as a continuity mechanism to keep a specialized, high-value national and international specimen resource operating, expanding strategically, and delivering curated specimens and linked data to accelerate research on HIV and HIV-associated cancers.Apply for RFA CA 23 043
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Single Source: AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR; UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-02.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and identifier of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Single Source: AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR; UM1 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is identified as RFA-CA-23-043.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the purpose of this NOFO?
The purpose is to make one non-competitive, single-source cooperative agreement award to continue operating and supporting the AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR), a national and international biospecimen and data resource for HIV and HIV-associated cancer research.
Is this a competitive funding opportunity?
No. It is explicitly described as a non-competitive, single-source solicitation. The NOFO is structured to solicit an application from a named institute (shown in the NOFO text as "(-----institute name-----)"), and NCI indicates it intends to fund a single awardee to maintain continuity of the established resource.
How many awards does NCI intend to make under this NOFO?
The NOFO is designed for a single award (one non-competitive, single-source award) to continue the ACSR.
What is the application due date?
The application due date listed is 2024-01-09.
What is the funding mechanism/activity code?
The funding mechanism is a UM1 cooperative agreement.
What does a UM1 cooperative agreement mean for how the project is run?
A UM1 is a cooperative agreement, meaning NCI will have substantial scientific and programmatic involvement in the project compared with a typical research grant. This structure is used for projects where NIH/NCI involvement in oversight, coordination, or programmatic direction is expected.
Are clinical trials allowed under this award?
No. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trials Not Allowed," which indicates the award itself is not intended to conduct clinical trials. Instead, it supports the infrastructure and operations of a biospecimen and data repository and its service role, including support for clinical trials networks (as a repository), rather than running trials under the award.
What is the AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource (ACSR)?
The ACSR is an international repository that aggregates, curates, and provides access to well-characterized human biospecimens linked to clinical and epidemiologic data to support HIV and HIV-associated cancer research.
What problem is the ACSR designed to solve?
The ACSR addresses a major bottleneck in HIV and HIV-associated cancer research: access to well-characterized human biospecimens with meaningful linked clinical and epidemiologic data. By providing curated specimens and data, it enables research questions that would otherwise be difficult or impossible due to limited sample access.
Why does the ACSR include specimens from multiple eras of the HIV epidemic?
The ACSR includes specimens collected in both the pre-cART and post-cART eras. This matters because antiretroviral therapy changed immune function, viral dynamics, cancer risks, and outcomes. Having specimens across eras enables research that compares biology and outcomes over time and evaluates the impact of treatment-era differences.
What geographic regions are represented in ACSR collections?
The ACSR emphasizes geographic breadth and diversity, including specimens from the United States, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
Why is geographic and population diversity important for this resource?
Diversity in geography, genetic backgrounds, and environmental exposures supports research that is more generalizable and helps researchers understand how HIV and malignancies behave across different populations and settings.
What types of participant groups do ACSR specimens come from?
Collections include materials from people with HIV (PWH), individuals at risk of acquiring HIV, and HIV-uninfected controls. This supports comparative research and helps disentangle effects attributable to HIV infection from other confounding factors.
Where do the specimens originate (study types)?
Specimens come from participants enrolled in clinical trials, observational cohort studies, and other research efforts conducted by HIV investigators and consortia.
Does the ACSR only accept whatever specimens become available, or does it curate prospectively?
Beyond passively receiving samples, the ACSR uses informed, prospective curation strategies aimed at collecting the types of specimens the research community is likely to need most, rather than relying only on opportunistic acquisitions.
Who can access ACSR specimens and data?
The NOFO states that specimens and associated data are made available to the broader research community.
Is there a cost to researchers for obtaining specimens and associated data?
No. The NOFO states specimens and associated data are made available at no cost, with the goal of lowering barriers for clinician investigators and basic scientists and accelerating research progress.
What kinds of research can ACSR specimens support?
Based on the description, the ACSR can support a wide range of research areas, including biomarker discovery and validation, viral oncology, immunology, tumor genomics, translational pathology, and studies on cancer prevention, screening, treatment response, and mechanisms of oncogenesis in the context of HIV.
What is the relationship between the ACSR and the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC)?
The ACSR has a formal operational role as the biorepository for the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC), an NCI-funded multicenter clinical trials group focused on treatment and prevention research for HIV-associated malignancies.
What AMC-related repository capabilities are included under continued ACSR support?
Continuing support includes maintaining biorepository capabilities that serve AMC trials, including coordination for multiple repository sites. The description notes the ACSR supports two domestic biorepositories and also maintains biorepository capacity in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America to meet AMC needs.
What does the NOFO mean by maintaining "continuity" of the ACSR?
The NOFO is best understood as a continuity mechanism intended to keep a specialized, high-value national and international specimen resource operating, strategically expanding, and continuing to deliver curated specimens and linked data to accelerate research on HIV and HIV-associated cancers.
Is this NOFO new or related to an earlier solicitation?
It is a reissue of an earlier solicitation, RFA-CA-18-012.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
No. The NOFO states that non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. The NOFO states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are any foreign components allowed under NIH policy?
Yes. Foreign components (as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, which aligns with the ACSR's international specimen footprint and the need to coordinate or conduct certain activities in other countries under appropriate NIH policy and oversight.
How is this opportunity categorized administratively?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument. Activity categories listed include education and health.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed include 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: NIDDK High Risk Multi-Center Clinical Study Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Computational Approaches for Validating Dimensional Constructs of Relevance to Psychopathology (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA CA 23 043
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 23 043) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HG 23 032 Funding Number: RFA HG 23 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Multi-sectoral preventive interventions that address social determinants of health in populations that experience health disparities (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 053 Funding Number: PAR 24 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HG 23 033 Funding Number: RFA HG 23 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Rural Community-Centered Drug Misuse Prevention and Harm Reduction Research: Addressing Implementation, Dissemination, and Equity Challenges across the Continuum of Care (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Only) Apply for RFA DA 24 036 Funding Number: RFA DA 24 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Phased Research to Support Substance Use Epidemiology, Prevention, and Services Studies (R61/R33 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 24 062 Funding Number: PAR 24 062 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Drug Early Warning System Coordinating Center (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 25 029 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 029 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 25 027 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 286 Funding Number: PAR 23 286 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PAR 23 288 Funding Number: PAR 23 288 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Pathway to Independence Award for Early-Stage Postdoctoral Researchers (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 23 287 Funding Number: PAR 23 287 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nursing Research Education Program in Firearm Injury Prevention Research: Short Courses (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 061 Funding Number: PAR 24 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Adolescent Overdose Prevention and SUD Treatment Initiative (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 25 030 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Adolescent Overdose Prevention and SUD Treatment Initiative (R34 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 25 031 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 24 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 24 008 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 24 015 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 24 014 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Biospecimen Science Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 24 011 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI- Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 24 013 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revision Applications for Incorporation of Novel NCI-Supported Technology to Accelerate Cancer Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 24 012 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA CA 23 043", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.