Oncology Co-Clinical Imaging Research Resources to Encourage Consensus on Quantitative Imaging Methods and Precision Medicine (U24) | PAR 16 385

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Oncology Co-Clinical Imaging Research Resources to Encourage Consensus on Quantitative Imaging Methods and Precision Medicine (U24)."

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the main goal of the FOA?

The central goal is to support creation of shared research resources that help the oncology imaging community reach practical consensus on how quantitative imaging (QI) methods should be optimized, validated, and implemented for co-clinical cancer trials, so imaging data become higher quality, more reproducible, and more useful for precision medicine decisions.

What kinds of research does this FOA prioritize?

This FOA prioritizes building and disseminating community-facing research resources (infrastructure, standards, tools, and guidance), rather than primarily funding hypothesis-driven experimental research.

What are "co-clinical trials" in the context of this FOA?

Co-clinical trials generally pair studies in patients with parallel studies in relevant animal models. Imaging is used as a key tool to measure tumor biology and treatment response in a way that can be compared across patient and animal-model settings.

Why is quantitative imaging (QI) a focus here?

Quantitative imaging methods are central to producing measurable, comparable imaging-based endpoints. The FOA is focused on improving consistency and reproducibility of those measurements across sites, scanners, and study designs to better support precision oncology.

What does "encouraging consensus" mean for applicants?

It indicates applicants are expected to go beyond developing local best practices. Funded projects should engage stakeholders and produce outputs that can be adopted widely across the co-clinical imaging field.

What award mechanism is used?

The award mechanism is a U24 Cooperative Agreement.

What does a U24 Cooperative Agreement imply about NIH involvement?

A U24 Cooperative Agreement typically means NIH expects substantial involvement during the project period. Funded teams generally work closely with NIH program staff and may coordinate with other funded groups.

What types of "shared research resources" are envisioned under this FOA?

Examples of resources described include standardized imaging protocols, calibration procedures, reference datasets, software tools, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) frameworks, data formats and metadata standards, and guidance to support consistent quantitative measurements across sites, scanners, and study designs.

Are imaging protocols and calibration procedures within scope?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes standardized imaging protocols and calibration procedures as examples of the types of resources it seeks to support.

Are software tools and reference datasets within scope?

Yes. Software tools and reference datasets are explicitly listed as examples of resources that may be developed and disseminated.

Are QA/QC frameworks and data standards within scope?

Yes. The FOA highlights quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) frameworks as well as data formats and metadata standards as relevant resource outputs.

What is the maximum award amount ("award ceiling") listed?

The listed award ceiling is $500,000, which indicates the maximum funding level per award under this announcement.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.394.

How is this funding categorized?

It is categorized as discretionary.

When was this FOA created?

The FOA was created on August 5, 2016.

What is the closing date shown for this FOA?

The original closing date shown is June 14, 2018.

Does the provided closing date suggest the solicitation window has passed?

Yes. The closing date of June 14, 2018 suggests this specific solicitation window has passed, even though the summary describes what the program was designed to support.

What types of U.S. applicant organizations are eligible?

A broad range of applicant types are eligible, including state, county, city/township, and special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible, including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible applicant types.

Are government entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligibility includes multiple government entity types such as state, county, city/township, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts and certain housing authorities.

Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed among eligible applicants.

Are tribal governments that are not federally recognized included in the eligibility list?

Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized as additional eligible applicant types.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly highlighted as additional eligible applicant types.

Are regional organizations eligible?

Yes. Regional organizations are included in the additional eligible applicant types highlighted in the FOA summary.

Are eligible federal agencies allowed to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are explicitly highlighted as additional eligible applicant types.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted as eligible applicant types.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically called out as eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) as eligible applicant types.

Can non-U.S. (non-domestic) organizations apply directly as the applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as applicants under this FOA.

Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply under this FOA?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicants under this FOA.

Are any international elements allowed in a funded project?

Yes. "Foreign components" are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain international elements in the project if they meet NIH's definition and requirements.

In practical terms, what does allowing "foreign components" support?

As described, it can support targeted collaborations, access to specialized expertise, or use of unique facilities, while keeping the primary award and administrative control within an eligible U.S. organization.

How does this FOA aim to improve precision medicine in oncology?

By improving how QI methods are optimized and harmonized, the program is designed to reduce variability across studies, improve confidence in imaging-derived endpoints, and support more reliable translation between preclinical models and patient outcomes in precision oncology.

What problem is this FOA trying to address in co-clinical imaging?

It targets variability and lack of standardization in quantitative imaging methods that can make imaging data less comparable across sites, scanners, and study designs, reducing reproducibility and limiting usefulness for decision-making in precision medicine.

What kinds of end users are implied for the resources developed?

The resources are intended for broad use by the oncology co-clinical imaging research community, with emphasis on outputs that can be adopted widely rather than only within a single institution or project.