Improving Care and Outcomes for Cancer Survivors from Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 237

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 237

Improving Care and Outcomes for Cancer Survivors from Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that focuses on one central problem: many sexual and gender minority cancer survivors face avoidable barriers in receiving high-quality cancer treatment, survivorship care, and follow-up services, and those barriers are not yet being measured or addressed with enough rigor. The NOFO (PAR-25-237) calls for research that can clearly document where gaps occur across the cancer care continuum and then test practical ways to reduce those gaps and improve health outcomes for SGM people after a cancer diagnosis.

The opportunity specifically encourages applicants to propose either observational studies, intervention studies, or a combination of both, as long as the work is designed to understand barriers and/or improve care and outcomes for SGM cancer survivors. Observational projects might map out patterns of delayed or interrupted care, differences in receipt of guideline-concordant treatment, disparities in symptom management or follow-up, or differences in patient experience and communication. Interventional projects might test strategies such as clinic workflow changes, patient navigation, provider training, survivorship care planning tailored to SGM needs, or systems-level changes intended to increase access, quality, and continuity of care. Because the NOFO is labeled “Clinical Trial Optional,” applicants have flexibility: proposing a clinical trial is allowed but not required, which opens the door to strong non-trial designs as well as randomized or pragmatic approaches when appropriate.

A defining feature of this NOFO is its emphasis on interoperable sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection in cancer care settings. In practical terms, NCI is signaling that high-quality research in this area depends on collecting SOGI information in ways that can be consistently captured, shared, and used across health systems and data platforms (for example, within electronic health records and registries). Projects are expected to take SOGI measurement seriously, not as an afterthought, because poor or inconsistent data collection is itself a major barrier to identifying inequities and tracking whether interventions are working. The intent is to move the field toward routine, usable SOGI documentation that supports both clinical care and research, while also recognizing that SOGI data collection must be implemented in ways that are respectful, safe, and feasible in real-world oncology settings.

From an eligibility standpoint, this is a broad, discretionary grant mechanism using the NIH R01 research project grant instrument, and it supports work aligned with health and education-related categories under CFDA 93.399. A wide range of applicants may apply, including state, county, city, township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where relevant); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). That breadth reflects the reality that meaningful survivorship research often depends on partnerships among academic centers, community organizations, health systems, and groups that are trusted by SGM communities.

Administratively, the opportunity is issued by NIH (with NCI as the sponsoring institute), was created on 2024-11-12, and lists an original closing date of 2027-01-07. The public summary does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants typically need to consult the full NOFO text and NCI guidance to understand budget expectations, review considerations, and any institute-specific preferences. Overall, the program is aimed at producing evidence that is actionable in oncology practice: identifying the real-world obstacles SGM survivors face in treatment and follow-up, building better systems for capturing SOGI data, and developing and evaluating interventions that measurably improve care experiences and health outcomes for SGM cancer survivors.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving Care and Outcomes for Cancer Survivors from Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R01 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 2024-11-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-07.
• 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 25 237

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: