Innovative Approaches to Studying Cancer Communication in the New Information Ecosystem (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 165

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 165

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), through NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement PAR-22-165, is offering R21 grant support for early-stage, exploratory research that tackles cancer communication challenges in todays rapidly changing information environment. The focus is on communication science as it relates to cancer prevention and control, meaning projects should connect communication processes and exposures to real behavioral targets and health outcomes, such as screening uptake, vaccination, risk reduction behaviors, treatment decision-making, survivorship behaviors, and related cancer outcomes. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," so applicants may propose studies that include clinical trial elements if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required.

The opportunity is organized around three main research domains. First, NCI is looking for work on new cancer communication surveillance approaches, especially research that tests the usefulness and practical application of modern methods for tracking and understanding cancer-related communication in the current media ecosystem. This can include studying how people encounter, interpret, and share cancer information across digital platforms, social networks, and mixed media environments, and how those information patterns can be measured reliably and efficiently for public health and research purposes. Second, the FOA encourages the development and testing of rapid pilot communication interventions. These are smaller, quicker studies that use innovative methods and study designs to prototype, refine, and get early evidence on communication strategies meant to improve cancer-related behaviors or outcomes. Third, NCI highlights the need for multilevel cancer communication models that explicitly consider two-way, bidirectional influence across levels, such as how individual beliefs and behaviors interact with family dynamics, clinical teams, community contexts, organizations, media systems, and policy environments, and how influences travel in both directions rather than only top-down.

Across all three domains, applications are expected to use one or more innovative communication research methodologies. In practice, that means applicants should go beyond conventional survey-only approaches when appropriate and consider methods that better match the new information ecosystem, such as designs that capture dynamic information flows, real-time exposure, network effects, platform-specific communication, or rapidly shifting narratives. The overarching expectation is that projects will advance how cancer communication is measured, modeled, or intervened upon, with clear relevance to prevention and control.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the FOA places firm limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed. In other words, the applicant organization and the work proposed under the grant need to remain within the allowable domestic scope.

This is a discretionary grant program under NIH, listed under CFDA 93.399, with an original closing date shown as 2025-09-07. The announcement does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided text, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA and NIH guidance for budget structure typical of the R21 mechanism. Overall, the opportunity is designed for creative, high-impact pilot and methods-driven studies that help NCI and the broader field understand and improve cancer communication in a media landscape shaped by digital platforms, rapid information spread, and complex multilevel influences.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Approaches to Studying Cancer Communication in the New Information Ecosystem (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-06-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for PAR 22 165

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