Leveraging Population-based Cancer Registry Data to Study Health Disparities (R21) | PA 17 288

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 288

The NIH grant opportunity "Leveraging Population-based Cancer Registry Data to Study Health Disparities (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-17-288) is designed to help researchers make better use of the strong population-based cancer registry infrastructure that already exists in the United States. The central idea is straightforward: cancer registries collect high-quality, standardized information on cancer incidence, basic tumor characteristics, and often some treatment and outcome details, but many of the key drivers of cancer inequities are not routinely captured in these systems. This FOA funds projects that intentionally build on registry data by adding new, targeted information (through supplemental data collection or linkages to outside data sources) so investigators can more clearly identify why disparities in cancer care and outcomes continue to occur across different populations.

The scientific focus is on understanding the determinants of cancer health disparities among people diagnosed with cancer, using a population-based registry framework as the backbone for analysis. Projects are expected to be hypothesis-driven rather than purely descriptive, meaning applicants should start with clear, testable research questions about mechanisms that produce unequal treatment, access, quality of care, survival, or other outcomes. Multidisciplinary approaches are explicitly encouraged, reflecting the reality that disparities are rarely caused by a single factor and often arise from interacting influences at the patient, provider, health system, community, and policy levels. The goal is not just to document that disparities exist, but to estimate the relative contribution of different factors and clarify how and why those factors translate into unequal outcomes.

A defining feature of this opportunity is the expectation that applicants will augment registry data with information not usually collected by registries or not commonly linked to them. Depending on the research question, that could include more granular measures of social and structural drivers (such as individual or neighborhood socioeconomic conditions, housing instability, transportation barriers, or insurance dynamics), patient-level factors (such as comorbidities, functional status, language, health literacy, or patient preferences), health system variables (such as facility characteristics, provider availability, referral patterns, or care coordination), or other contextual data relevant to disparities. The FOA is oriented toward efficient, pragmatic use of existing data systems: applicants should take advantage of what registries already do well, then strategically fill in the missing pieces needed to explain persistent gaps in treatment and outcomes.

Mechanistically, the work supported by this FOA is aimed at answering questions like: Which measurable factors explain observed differences in receipt of guideline-concordant treatment? What drives differences in timeliness of diagnosis or treatment initiation? How do access barriers or health system characteristics affect survival? When multiple drivers are present (for example, insurance status, geography, facility type, and comorbidity burden), which ones matter most, and do they operate independently or through mediation pathways? By using population-based registries, studies can often reduce selection bias and better reflect real-world populations, including groups that are frequently underrepresented in clinical research.

The funding mechanism is the NIH R21, which is typically used for exploratory or developmental research, including projects that establish feasibility, test innovative approaches, or generate early evidence that can support future larger studies. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, indicating a relatively modest budget compared with larger multi-year mechanisms, and reinforcing the emphasis on efficient, focused projects that leverage existing infrastructure rather than building entirely new cohorts from scratch.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types that align closely with equity and community-facing research capacity, including 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, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and eligible federal agencies.

Restrictions on foreign participation are specific: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant organization may include certain international elements in the project when well-justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot be the applicant.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health, falls under health and education-related federal assistance categories, and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.393 and 93.399. The original closing date listed in the source material is 2020-09-07, and the FOA was created on 2017-05-16, which is important for anyone considering this announcement today because it suggests the need to verify current availability, active due dates, or any reissued or updated versions on NIH and Grants.gov systems.

In practical terms, a competitive application under this FOA would clearly articulate a disparities-focused cancer question grounded in prior evidence, explain why registry data are an appropriate foundation, specify exactly what additional data are needed and how they will be obtained (for example, via medical record abstraction, patient surveys, linkage to claims, geocoded neighborhood data, or health system datasets), and lay out an analytic plan capable of isolating and comparing the influence of multiple determinants. The intended payoff is actionable insight into the persistence of cancer disparities, with findings that can inform targeted interventions, policy changes, or health system improvements aimed at achieving more equitable cancer care and outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Leveraging Population-based Cancer Registry Data to Study Health Disparities (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-05-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-07. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

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