Diet, Epigenetic Events, and Cancer Prevention (R03)

The aim of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to promote clinical and preclinical research to determine how diet and dietary factors, including dietary supplements, impact DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modification, and other epigenetic processes involved in cancer prevention and development. Another important aim of this FOA is to encourage collaborations between nutrition and epigenetic experts to study bioactive food components with cancer-preventative properties and to examine key epigenetic events in cancer processes (e.g., carcinogen metabolism, cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis) in order to begin to establish linkages between epigenetics, methylation patterns, and tumor incidences/behaviors. NIAAA is specifically interested in receiving applications that examine the impact(s) of chronic alcohol consumption on levels of SAM, betaine, and folate, and possible associations with DNA methylation and cancer. NIDDK is particularly interested in receiving applications that address normal and neoplastic conditions focusing on the impact of epigenetics on cell division, differentiation, and/or apoptosis in the GI tract and related organs. -This FOA utilizes the NIH Small Grant (R03) mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-06-412, which solicits applications under the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism, and PA-06-413, which solicits applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) award mechanism. -The R03 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology. -The R03 is intended to support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. The R03 is not renewable. -Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications; therefore, the anticipated number of awards is not known. -Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received. -Budgets for direct costs of up to $50,000 per year and a project duration of up to 2 years may be requested for a maximum of $100,000 direct costs over a 2-year project period (note that consortium [third party] facilities and administrative costs are not included in the direct cost limitation). -Eligible organizations include: for-profit organizations; non-profit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories; units of State and local governments; eligible agencies of the Federal government; domestic or foreign institutions/organizations; faith-based or community-based organizations; Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); and Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organizations. -Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) include any individuals from the applicant institutions who have the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. -Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct.