Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 17 038
The Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS) (UG3/UH3) funding opportunity (RFA-CA-17-038) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement created under the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot Initiative, a larger federal push to speed up progress in cancer research and translate proven strategies into real-world impact more quickly. The central aim of ACCSIS is not to invent new screening tests, but to improve how well existing, evidence-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and follow-up practices are actually delivered in communities and health systems, especially for groups where screening rates lag behind national benchmarks. In practical terms, the FOA is about implementation science: studying how to adopt, scale, integrate, and sustain proven screening and care pathways so more people get screened on time, complete diagnostic follow-up when results are abnormal, and successfully connect to referral-to-care when cancer or serious findings are suspected or confirmed.
This FOA aligns with the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) scientific priority area focused on prevention and screening through implementation of evidence-based approaches. That framing matters because it signals the program is geared toward research that addresses real-world barriers such as limited access to screening services, uneven clinic workflows, patient navigation gaps, cultural and language barriers, insurance and cost obstacles, weak referral systems, and drop-offs between an initial screening test and the necessary follow-up colonoscopy or treatment evaluation. ACCSIS is explicitly aimed at populations with below-standard screening uptake, so applicants are expected to focus on settings and communities where disparities are most visible and where improvements would meaningfully reduce preventable disease and death.
The UG3/UH3 mechanism indicates a phased approach commonly used by NIH when projects require a structured start-up period before full implementation. The UG3 phase generally supports planning, refinement of protocols, partnership development, and feasibility milestones, while the UH3 phase supports the later stage of carrying out and evaluating the intervention at scale. Because this is a cooperative agreement, NIH is expected to have substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard research grant, which often means closer coordination, agreed-upon milestones, and active federal programmatic oversight to keep the work aligned with the initiative goals.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations, reflecting the applied nature of implementation research and the need to work directly with health systems and communities. Eligible applicants include state and county governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, as well as other domestic entities that meet NIH requirements. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicants 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), and U.S. territories or possessions, reinforcing the emphasis on reaching populations that are often underserved or disproportionately affected. At the same time, it clearly excludes non-U.S. entities: foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed. In other words, the work must be led and conducted within allowable domestic organizational structures.
Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and sits within the health and education activity space, with CFDA numbers 93.353 and 93.394. The FOA record shows an original closing date of January 18, 2018, and a creation date of October 20, 2017. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text and associated NIH notices for budget guidance, project duration expectations, and the anticipated program scale.
Overall, ACCSIS is best understood as an NIH effort to close the gap between what is already known to work in colorectal cancer screening and what actually happens in routine practice, with a strong focus on improving screening completion, ensuring timely follow-up after abnormal results, and strengthening referral-to-care pathways in populations where current screening rates fall short. The intent is to generate actionable evidence about implementation strategies that can be adopted and sustained across real health care and community settings, thereby delivering faster, measurable reductions in colorectal cancer burden.Apply for RFA CA 17 038
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS)(UG3/UH3)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.353, 93.394.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ACCSIS (UG3/UH3) funding opportunity?
The Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS) (UG3/UH3) opportunity (RFA-CA-17-038) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement created under the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot Initiative. It supports implementation science research focused on improving how evidence-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and follow-up are delivered in real-world health systems and communities.
What is the main goal of ACCSIS?
The central goal is to increase the real-world delivery of proven CRC screening and follow-up practices, especially in settings and populations where screening rates fall below national benchmarks. The emphasis is on improving screening completion, ensuring timely diagnostic follow-up after abnormal results, and strengthening referral-to-care pathways.
Is this opportunity about developing new colorectal cancer screening tests?
No. The focus is not to invent new screening tests. ACCSIS is designed to improve adoption, integration, scale-up, and sustainability of existing evidence-based CRC screening and follow-up practices.
What kind of research does ACCSIS support?
ACCSIS supports implementation science research. This includes studying strategies to adopt, scale, integrate, and sustain proven CRC screening and care pathways in routine practice and community settings, with attention to real-world barriers that prevent people from getting screened and completing necessary follow-up.
What outcomes or process gaps is ACCSIS trying to improve?
Based on the opportunity description, ACCSIS targets gaps such as: people not getting screened on time, patients not completing diagnostic follow-up (for example, follow-up colonoscopy) after abnormal screening results, and breakdowns in referral-to-care when cancer or serious findings are suspected or confirmed.
Why does the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot Initiative matter for this FOA?
The Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot Initiative is described as a federal effort to speed up progress in cancer research and translate proven strategies into real-world impact more quickly. ACCSIS fits that purpose by focusing on improving delivery of what is already known to work, rather than waiting for new technologies to be invented and adopted.
How does ACCSIS align with the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) priorities?
The opportunity aligns with a BRP scientific priority area focused on prevention and screening through implementation of evidence-based approaches. Practically, that signals a focus on applying and sustaining proven screening approaches in real settings rather than testing purely theoretical models.
What types of barriers is ACCSIS interested in addressing?
The FOA framing highlights real-world barriers that can reduce screening and follow-up, including limited access to screening services, uneven clinic workflows, patient navigation gaps, cultural and language barriers, insurance and cost obstacles, weak referral systems, and drop-offs between an initial screening test and needed follow-up or evaluation.
Which populations or settings are meant to be prioritized?
ACCSIS is explicitly aimed at populations with below-standard screening uptake. Applicants are expected to focus on communities and settings where disparities are most visible and where improving implementation would meaningfully reduce preventable illness and deaths from colorectal cancer.
What does the UG3/UH3 mechanism mean for applicants?
UG3/UH3 is a phased NIH approach. The UG3 phase generally supports start-up activities such as planning, refining protocols, developing partnerships, and meeting feasibility milestones. The UH3 phase supports carrying out and evaluating the intervention at scale after those early milestones are met.
How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard NIH research grant in this context?
Because ACCSIS is a cooperative agreement, NIH is expected to have substantial involvement during the project period. This typically includes close coordination, agreed-upon milestones, and active federal programmatic oversight to keep the work aligned with initiative goals.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include state and county governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, along with other domestic entities that meet NIH requirements.
Are minority-serving institutions and U.S. territories specifically included in eligibility?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants 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), and U.S. territories or possessions.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. The FOA excludes non-U.S. entities. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component or foreign component in the project?
No. The opportunity states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.
What is the funding category and activity area for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and is within the health and education activity space.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this funding opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed for this opportunity are 93.353 and 93.394.
What is the FOA number for ACCSIS?
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is identified as RFA-CA-17-038.
What are the key dates shown for this opportunity?
The FOA record shows a creation date of October 20, 2017, and an original closing date of January 18, 2018.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The excerpt provided does not list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. It notes that applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text and related NIH notices for budget guidance, project duration expectations, and anticipated program scale.
In plain terms, what is ACCSIS trying to accomplish overall?
Overall, ACCSIS is an NIH effort to close the gap between evidence and routine practice in colorectal cancer screening and follow-up. It aims to produce actionable evidence on implementation strategies that can be adopted and sustained in real health care and community settings, improving screening completion, timely follow-up after abnormal results, and referral-to-care in populations where screening rates lag.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Applying Metabolomics to Drive Biomarker Discovery in Symptom Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: Precompetitive Collaboration on Liquid Biopsy for Early Cancer Assessment (U01)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA CA 17 038
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA CA 17 038) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Radiotherapy and Imaging Core Services Center (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 060 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $7,400,000 |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Integrated Translational Science Centers (UG1) Apply for RFA CA 17 061 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Statistics and Data Management Centers (U10) Apply for RFA CA 17 057 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Network Group Operations Centers (U10) Apply for RFA CA 17 056 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 056 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: NCI National Clinical Trials Network - Canadian Collaborating Clinical Trials Network (U10) Apply for RFA CA 17 058 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Human Tumor Atlas Network: Data Coordinating Center (U24) Apply for RFA CA 17 036 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Human Tumor Atlases (HTA) Precancer Atlas Research Centers (U2C) Apply for RFA CA 17 035 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,600,000 |
| Human Tumor Atlases (HTA) Research Centers (U2C) Apply for RFA CA 17 034 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 034 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN)--Network Lead Academic Participating Sites (UG1) Apply for RFA CA 17 059 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 059 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Simulation Modeling and Systems Science to Address Health Disparities (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 331 Funding Number: PAR 18 331 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| National Cancer Institute Program Project Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 290 Funding Number: PAR 18 290 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - No Independent Clinical Trials) Apply for PAR 18 337 Funding Number: PAR 18 337 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08 - Clinical Trials Required) Apply for PAR 18 336 Funding Number: PAR 18 336 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Application of Big Data Analytics to Drug Abuse Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 057 Funding Number: PA 18 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Examination of Survivorship Care Planning Efficacy and Impact (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 012 Funding Number: PA 18 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Improving Quality of Care and Quality of Life for Persons with Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias at the End of Life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 18 030 Funding Number: PAS 18 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Data (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 062 Funding Number: PAR 18 062 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| HIV/AIDS High Priority Drug Abuse Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAS 18 063 Funding Number: PAS 18 063 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Potential Effects of Metformin on Aging and Age-Related Conditions: Small-Scale Clinical Studies and Secondary Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 025 Funding Number: PA 18 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 135 Funding Number: PA 18 135 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA CA 17 038", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.