Proteogenomic Translational Research Centers (PTRCs) for Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 21 025

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 21 025

The Proteogenomic Translational Research Centers (PTRCs) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-21-025) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative agreement (U01; clinical trial not allowed) that sits within the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC). It is administered through the NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD), specifically the Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research (OCCPR). In practical terms, this FOA is meant to fund a small number of coordinated research centers that can push cancer proteogenomics forward and, just as importantly, turn what they learn into broadly usable community resources such as well-annotated datasets, validated assays, images, and reagents.

At its core, the program is trying to take advantage of the recent leap in proteomics and genomics technologies to better map how genomic alterations in tumors translate (or do not translate) into protein-level changes that actually drive cell behavior, drug response, and resistance. The emphasis is on comprehensive “proteogenomic” approaches, meaning integrated analysis across layers like DNA/RNA and the proteome, rather than studying each layer in isolation. The rationale is that proteins and their modifications are often closer to phenotype and therapeutic vulnerability than genomic alterations alone, so integrating these measurements can clarify tumor biology, identify actionable mechanisms, and improve interpretation of genomic findings.

The FOA lays out three main aims for the reissued CPTAC effort. First, it continues to support deeper understanding of cancer biology through rigorous, comprehensive proteogenomic characterization. Second, it expands efforts that connect proteogenomics to the development of diagnostics and therapeutics by using these approaches to study drug response and the emergence of resistance in a clinical-trial context (not by running a clinical trial under this award mechanism, but by analyzing and interpreting samples and data generated in that setting). Third, it places strong weight on translation and dissemination: producing public-facing resources that other researchers can immediately use for hypothesis-driven work, method development, biomarker exploration, and validation studies.

Mechanistically, this is a cooperative agreement, which signals substantial NIH/NCI involvement beyond what is typical for standard grants. Awardees should expect close coordination with NCI program staff and alignment with consortium goals, standards, timelines, and data/resource sharing expectations. This kind of structure is common for large, multi-site initiatives where harmonized methods, consistent metadata, quality control, and rapid public release of outputs are central to the mission.

Funding details provided in the notice include an award ceiling of $750,000 (as listed in the source data) and an expectation of about four awards. The opportunity was created April 5, 2021, with an original closing date of July 30, 2021. The activity categories are listed under education and health, and the associated CFDA numbers are 93.394 and 93.395.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that can credibly serve as research centers or key partners in translational cancer proteomics. Eligible applicants include federal-recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, special district governments, public housing/Indian housing authorities, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and additional applicants as clarified in the FOA’s eligibility text. This wide eligibility reflects the reality that high-impact proteogenomic translation can be driven by universities, cancer centers, research institutes, and industry-capable labs that can build assays, generate datasets, and distribute resources at scale.

Overall, the PTRC opportunity is designed to fund centers that do more than publish individual findings. The expected value is twofold: advancing integrated proteogenomic understanding of cancer (especially around therapeutic response and resistance) and producing high-quality, openly available resources that enable the rest of the research community to accelerate discovery and translation.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Proteogenomic Translational Research Centers (PTRCs) for Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394, 93.395.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 05, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 30, 2021. (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 $750,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for RFA CA 21 025

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