for Epidemiology and Genetics Research

National Cancer Institute

U.S. DEPARTMENT

OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes

of Health

The Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program (EGRP), in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) 

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), provides research opportunities to in-

crease understanding of cancer etiology and prevention in human populations. EGRP supports epide-

miologic research in four areas:

Modifiable Risk Factors—focusing on factors that may be modified to reduce cancer risk, such as diet 

and nutrition; alcohol; physical activity and energy balance; tobacco; infectious diseases; physical and 

chemical agents; and medical exposures, including medications and treatments;

Host Susceptibility Factors—focusing on factors that influence personal susceptibility to cancer, such 

as genetic, epigenetic, immunological, hormonal, and biological pathways; and social, cultural, and racial /

ethnic factors;

Methods and Technologies—focusing on methods for epidemiologic data collection, study design and 

analysis, and development and adaptation of laboratory and technical approaches for large epidemiologic 

studies; and

Clinical and Translational Epidemiology—focusing on etiologic and genomic factors that influence 

cancer progression, recurrence, survival and other treatment outcomes, and factors associated with can-

cer development among individuals with underlying diseases and conditions.

 

December 2010

EGRP is a sponsor, cosponsor, or a named contact for the following PAs—Program Announcements, 

PARs—Program Announcements with Special Review, and RFAs—Requests for Applications. For 

details, search the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts by announcement number at 

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide.

Key to the grant mechanism numbers listed below: R01—Research Project Grant, R03—Small 

Research Grant, R21—Exploratory/Developmental Grant, U01—Cooperative Agreement, and U19—

Research Program-Cooperative Agreement. 

http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/funding

Research on Malignancies in the 

Context of HIV/AIDS

PA-10-290 for R01

Submission dates: January 7, 

 May 7, September 7

PA-10-291 for R21

Submission dates: January 7, 

 May 7, September 7

Both PAs expire September 8, 2013.

The purpose of these PAs is to advance our understanding 

of the risks, development, progression, diagnosis, and 

treatment of malignancies observed in individuals with an 

underlying Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection 

or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). These 

PAs seek to encourage research in areas such as the study 

of the etiologic factors, cofactors, immunopathogenesis, 

diagnosis, and consequences of both AIDS-defining and 

non-AIDS-defining malignancies in diverse populations 

in the context of an underlying HIV infection. These PAs 

invite research efforts that will: (1) provide information on 

the clinical outcomes of such cancers in the HIV-infected 

population; and (2) identify specific contributions resulting 

from HIV infection and its potential interaction with other 

pathogens for the development and pathogenesis of these 

cancers. (continued next page)
2  

Research on Malignancies in the 

Context of HIV/AIDS

(continued)

These PAs are cosponsored with NCI’s Division of Cancer Biology (DCB), the 

Office of AIDS Malignancy Program, and with the National Institute of Dental and 

Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). For more information:

(R01) http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-290.html;

(R21) http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-291.html

Contacts: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: 

vermam@mail.nih.gov; and Vaurice Starks, Program Director, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: starksv@mail.nih.gov

Core Infrastructure and 

Methodological Research for 

Cancer Epidemiology

PAR-10-283 for U01

Submission dates: March 8,

 July 6, November 10

Expires November 9, 2013.

This PAR invites grant applications to provide targeted infrastructure support for 

the core functions of cancer epidemiology cohorts (CECs) and methodological 

research. This infrastructure can support existing or new CECs. This PAR 

will support core functions for CECs currently funded through other grant 

mechanisms by the Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program (EGRP) and 

other components of NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences 

(DCCPS). For more information:

(U01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-283.html;

(FAQ) http://epi.grants.cancer.gov/funding/cohorts

Contact: Deborah Winn, Ph.D., Deputy Director, DCCPS, 

e-mail: winnde@mail.nih.gov

Epigenetic Approaches in 

Cancer Epidemiology

PA-10-031 for R01

Submission dates: February 5,

 June 5, October 5

PA-10-032 for R21

Submission dates: February 16,

 June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire January 8, 2013.

These PAs are to stimulate population-based epidemiology research on the roles 

of DNA methylation markers in cancer. The objectives are for researchers to 

evaluate determinants of methylation patterns, risks of cancer associated with 

DNA methylation, and markers and modifiers of cancer risk using epidemiologic 

approaches in existing human population studies. For more information: 

(R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-031.html; 

(R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-032.html 

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, 

e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Development, Application, 

and Evaluation of Prediction 

Models for Cancer Risk and 

Prognosis 

PA-10-025 for R01

Submission dates: February 5,

 June 5, October 5

PA-10-026 for R21

Submission dates: February 16,

 June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire January 8, 2013.

These PAs are to encourage researchers working in the field of cancer control 

and prevention to: (1) improve existing models for cancer risk and prognosis by 

developing innovative research projects that use existing data, (2) develop new 

models for cancer risk and prognosis, and (3) validate new models and evaluate their 

utility in research and clinical settings. The PAs provide a mechanism of support 

for investigators to address two major challenges in model development: integrating 

diverse types of data and ensuring adequate validation. NCI’s Division of Cancer 

Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) is cosponsoring these PAs with the 

Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD). For more information: 

(R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-025.html;

(R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-026.html

Contacts: Andrew Freedman, Ph.D., Chief, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology 

Branch, e-mail: freedmaa@mail.nih.gov; and Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and 

Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov
3  

Climate Change and Health: 

Assessing and Modeling 

Population Vulnerability to 

Climate Change

PAR-10-235 for R21

Submission dates:

 May 24, 2011; May 24, 2012

Expires May 25, 2012.

This PAR invites applications to support small research projects examining the 

differential risk factors of populations that lead to, or are associated with, increased 

vulnerability to exposures, diseases, and other adverse health outcomes related to 

climate change. Applications may involve either applied research studies that address 

specific hypotheses about risk factors or population characteristics associated with 

increased vulnerability, or research projects to develop general models or methods 

for identifying and characterizing population vulnerability to climate change. The 

ultimate goal of this research program is to help inform climate change adaptation 

and public health interventions to reduce current and future vulnerability of various 

populations to the health effects of climate change. NCI encourages applications 

with the ability to incorporate long time spans to assess the impact of climate 

changes on cancer incidence through established physical, chemical, or infectious 

agents that may differentially impact populations due to their geographic location, 

genotype, and/or developmental windows of susceptibility. NCI joins the National 

Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and other NIH Institutes and 

Centers in co-sponsoring this PAR. For more information:

(R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-235.html 

Contact: Britt C. Reid, D.D.S., Ph.D., Chief, Modifiable Risk Factors Branch, 

e-mail: reidbr@mail.nih.gov

Studies of Energy Balance 

and Cancer in Humans

PA-09-148 for R01

Submission dates: February 5,

 June 5, October 5

PA-09-149 for R21

Submission dates: February 16,

 June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire May 8, 2012.

These PAs invite investigator-initiated research to define factors affecting energy 

balance and mechanisms influencing cancer risk, prognosis, and quality of life. 

These studies may range from new analyses of existing datasets to additional 

collection of data and biological specimens in ongoing investigations. These PAs are 

cosponsored with NCI’s Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS), Division of Cancer 

Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), and Division of Cancer Prevention 

(DCP). For more information: 

(R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-148.html;

(R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-149.html 

Contact: Somdat Mahabir, Ph.D., M.P.H., Program Director, Modifiable Risk 

Factors Branch, e-mail: mahabir@mail.nih.gov

Deepwater Horizon Disaster 

Research Consortia: Health 

Impacts and Community 

Resiliency

RFA-ES-11-006 for U19

Submission date: January 21, 2011

Expires January 22, 2011.

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications to (1) examine the impacts of 

the Deepwater Horizon disaster on health, illness, and quality of life for the general 

population residing in the Gulf Coast region; and (2) increase the scientific evidence 

base needed to strengthen the resiliency of vulnerable populations along the Gulf 

Coast to prepare for and recover from the effects of the Deepwater Horizon and 

similar disasters. NCI is interested in identifying the consequences of toxic exposures 

related to the disaster on the sequence of events leading to cancer. It is likely that a 

long follow-up period and very large numbers of study participants would be needed 

to meaningfully assess cancer risks from disaster exposures. However, setting up 

the research studies now will build capacity and provide an opportunity for research 

on disaster-related exposures and determinants of the sequence of events, from 

biomarkers of exposure through early damage that might influence cancer risk, and 

genomic factors, such as genetic susceptibility, that may modify those biomarkers 

along the continuum to cancer. The National Institute of Environmental Health 

Sciences (NIEHS) is the lead sponsor of the RFA; several other NIH Institutes also 

are cosponsors. For more information:

(U19) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-11-006.html

Contact: Gary L. Ellison, Ph.D., M.P.H., Program Director, Modifiable Risk Factors 

Branch, e-mail: ellisong@mail.nih.gov
4  

Methods and Approaches for 

Detection of Gene-Environment 

Interactions in Human Disease

PAR-11-032 for R21

Submission date: February 3, 2011

Expires February 4, 2011.

This PAR encourages applications to develop and test innovative statistical, analytical, 

and bioinformatics methods and approaches for identifying gene-environment 

interactions for complex human diseases. The objectives of this PAR are to further 

advance the understanding of gene-environment interplay in complex human 

disease by (1) the development and validation of algorithms and new statistical 

and computational approaches and study designs, and/or (2) the development and 

application of bioinformatics software for gene-environment analysis of existing 

human populations. The long-term goal is to help identify individuals at highest 

risk for developing a specific disease or dysfunction based on both their exposure 

patterns and genetic risk profiles and inform potential environmental modifications 

or behavioral change interventions that could be implemented to prevent or reduce 

disease burden. For more information: 

(R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-11-032.html

Contact: Leah Mechanic, Ph.D., M.P.H., Program Director, Host Susceptibility 

Factors Branch, e-mail: mechanil@mail.nih.gov

Mitochondria in Cancer 

Epidemiology, Detection, 

Diagnosis, and Prognosis

PA-08-143 for R01

Submission dates: February 5, 

 June 5, October 5

PA-08-144 for R21

Submission dates: February 16, 

 June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire May 8, 2011.

These PAs are intended to stimulate the development and validation of novel 

mitochondrial (mt) DNA biomarkers for understanding the etiology, early detection, 

diagnosis, prognosis, and risk assessment of cancer; and responses to preventive and 

ameliorative treatment. These PAs are cosponsored with NCI’s Division of Cancer 

Prevention (DCP), Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD), and the 

Office of the Director (OD). For more information: 

(R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-143.html; 

(R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-144.html 

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, 

e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Note: These PAs have been approved for 3 more years; see PA-11-073 (R01) at 

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-073.html and PA-11-074 (R21) at 

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-074.html.

Ethical, Legal, Social 

Implications of Human 

Genome Research

PA-08-012 for R01

Submission dates: February 5,

 June 5, October 5

PA-08-013 for R03

Submission dates: February 16,

 June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire May 8, 2011.

These PAs invite research on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of the 

discovery and use of new information and technologies resulting from human 

genomic research. Areas of interest include: (1) translation of genomic information 

to improved human health; (2) conduct of genomic research; (3) intellectual property 

issues surrounding access to and use of genomic information; (4) nonmedical 

applications of genomic technologies and information; (5) impact of genomics on 

concepts of race, ethnicity, kinship, and individual and group identity; (6) implications 

of uncovering genetic contributions to not only disease, but also “normal” human 

traits and behaviors; and (7) ethical boundaries for the uses of genomics. The 

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is the lead sponsor of the 

PAs; several other NIH Institutes also are cosponsors. For more information: 

(R01) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-012.html; 

(R03) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-013.html

Contact: Daniela Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H., Scientific Consortia Coordinator and 

Program Director, Office of the Associate Director, e-mail: seminard@mail.nih.gov
5

Pilot Studies in Pancreatic Cancer

PA-08-209 for R03

PA-08-208 for R21

Submission dates for both PAs:

 February 16, June 16, 

 October 16

Both PAs expire September 8, 2011.

These trans-NCI PAs are to promote innovative research across multiple disciplines 

for a better understanding of the biology, etiology, detection, prevention, and 

treatment of pancreatic cancer. Inquiries about cancer control, epidemiology, and 

survivorship research proposals are handled by EGRP. For more information: 

(R03) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-209.html; 

(R21) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-208.html

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, 

e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Small Grants Program for 

Cancer Epidemiology

PAR-08-237 for R03

Submission dates: March 19, 

 July 17, November 19

Expires November 19, 2011.

This PAR invites applications relating to cancer epidemiology with a primary focus on 

etiologic cancer research. These are short-term awards intended to provide support 

for pilot projects, testing of new techniques, or development of innovative projects 

that could provide a basis for more extended research. Note that this PAR stipulates a 

10-page limit to the research plan, including tables and figures. For more information: 

(R03) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-237.html

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch,

e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Other Funding Opportunities of Interest

Extramural Training Grants (various mechanisms)

http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/training

Diet, Epigenetic Events, and Cancer Prevention (R01 and R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-234.html

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-235.html

Improving Diet and Physical Activity Assessment (R01 and R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-224.html 

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-225.html 

Epidemiology and Genetics Research Program

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences

6130 Executive Boulevard, Room 5113, MSC 7395, Bethesda, MD 20892-7395 

Telephone: 301-496-9600 Fax: 301-435-6609

Web site: http://epi.grants.cancer.gov