Pediatric Immunotherapy Network (PIN) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 22 016

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 22 016

The Pediatric Immunotherapy Network (PIN) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-22-016) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative designed to build a coordinated, multi-institution research network focused on improving immunotherapy options for children and adolescents with solid tumors, including brain tumors. The main purpose is to bring together investigators who can collaboratively move promising ideas from translational research toward approaches that are more likely to work in pediatric settings, where tumor biology, the immune environment, and treatment tolerability can differ significantly from adult cancers. By organizing funded teams into a formal network, NCI is aiming to speed up progress, reduce duplication, and tackle shared barriers that have slowed the impact of immunotherapy in pediatric solid tumors.

The FOA supports discrete research projects under the U01 cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning awardees will conduct defined projects while also participating in a broader NCI-supported collaborative structure. The scientific scope centers on translational immunotherapy research specifically tailored to pediatric solid tumors. Examples of encouraged topics include understanding how pediatric tumors evade immune attack, creating and improving preclinical models that better reflect pediatric disease, identifying and validating new immune-based therapeutic targets, and developing novel immunotherapy agents and strategies intended for pediatric patients. The announcement explicitly highlights approaches such as cancer vaccines, cellular therapies, and rational combination strategies that pair immunotherapy agents with other treatments. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation indicates that proposed work may include a clinical trial component but does not require one, allowing applications to range from advanced preclinical development through early clinical translation when appropriate.

A key feature of this opportunity is that successful applicants do not just receive project funding; they become members of the Pediatric Immunotherapy Network (PIN). This membership signals an expectation of active collaboration across sites and disciplines, with the shared mission of addressing common challenges in pediatric cancer immunotherapy and accelerating the pace at which effective treatments reach pediatric patients with solid tumors. In practical terms, the network model is meant to encourage coordinated planning, sharing of insights and resources, and alignment around the most pressing scientific and translational hurdles in the field.

The award uses the cooperative agreement funding instrument, with an activity focus listed under education and health and CFDA numbers 93.395 and 93.396. The opportunity is broadly open to many types of applicants, reflecting an intention to draw from a wide range of research and community capabilities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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 (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education under that category); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also calls out additional eligible groups 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, non-U.S. (foreign) entities, and U.S. territories or possessions, underscoring an inclusive approach to building the network.

From the posted source details, the original closing date was 2022-09-27, and the listed award ceiling is $450,000. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as NCI support for targeted, high-impact translational immunotherapy projects that, when executed within a coordinated network, are intended to generate stronger pediatric-specific evidence, better therapeutic concepts, and faster movement toward effective immunotherapies for pediatric solid tumors and brain tumors.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pediatric Immunotherapy Network (PIN) (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.395, 93.396.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-04-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-27. (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 $450,000.00 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.

Apply for RFA CA 22 016

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