Through this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites multiple-PD/PI applications for collaborative research projects each with two to three independent modeling groups that will comprise a new “incubator” program within the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET). The overarching goal of this FOA is to expand comparative simulation modeling approaches developed by CISNET to new cancer organ sites beyond the sites which have been previously funded (breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, esophageal, and cervical) under CISNET. This "incubator" FOA is open to any cancer organ site beyond these sites. Specifically, this program aims to translate CISNET’s framework of success to cancer sites that are not already part of the CISNET and for which there has been nascent/limited population modeling and little to no comparative modeling. For this FOA, "incubate" refers to accelerating the development and application of CISNET-type models for new cancer sites. Accelerating the development of comparative simulation modeling approaches for new cancer organ sites beyond those already funded is expected to generate sophisticated, evidence-based decision tools that could inform decisions on the most efficient utilization of existing and emerging technologies and strategies for the control of proposed cancers.
While open to all qualified investigators, to encourage broad participation from population modelers in cancer control, this FOA will allow no more than one Principal Investigator who is funded under the CISNET FOA RFA-CA-19-054 to also be a Principal Investigator on each Incubator application.
Deadlines:
RFA-CA-20-043 Expiration Date January 21, 2021
There are nine specific priority areas targeted by this FOA. Each application should provide coverage in as many of these areas as feasible and appropriate for the cancer site of interest. Nonetheless, these areas are listed as suggestions and are not mandatory. For example, applicants could exclude areas that are less appropriate for a particular cancer site and are encouraged to add different areas that are more germane. Additionally, although this FOA lists the same nine broad, timely priority areas as the main CISNET program, applicants to this "incubator program" may tackle a smaller number of priority areas than sites funded by the main program, given that applicants funded under this "incubator program" will devote considerable time to model development/refinement and consideration of data sources to estimate model parameters. The first years of the application may focus on model development and refinement, while the later years would transition over to developing meaningful applications.
Area 1) Precision Screening and New Screening Technologies;
Area 2) Precision Treatment;
Area 3) Overdiagnosis and Active Surveillance;
Area 4) Decision Aids (Individual and Policy);
Area 5) Understanding Screening in Real-World Settings and Determining the Best Routes to Optimize the Processes;
Area 6) State, Local, and International Cancer Control Planning;
Area 7) Suggesting Optimal Routes to Reduce Health Disparities;
Area 8) Methods Development; and
Area 9) Cancer Site-Specific Opportunities.
For this FOA, applicants are required to designate multiple PDs/PIs. Generally, one PD/PI would be expected for each modeling group, and one of these PD/PIs would also be responsible for the coordinating center. Other arrangements may also be proposed if justified. For example, the coordinating center PD/PI does not have to be a modeling group PD/PI, and additional PD/PI can be added for specialized aims.
It is expected, although not required, that the contact PD/PI will be the same person as the PD/PI responsible for the Coordinating Center. The Coordinating Center will generally be located at the institution submitting the incubator application in response to this FOA.
While open to all qualified investigators, to encourage broad participation from population modelers in cancer control, this FOA will allow no more than one Principal Investigator who is funded under the CISNET FOA RFA-CA-19-054 to also be a Principal Investigator on each Incubator application.
The budget request (direct cost) for the entire application per year should not exceed $490,000 and $670,000 for two and three modeling groups, respectively.
