Acquired Resistance to Therapy Network (ARTNet; U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA CA 21 052

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Acquired Resistance to Therapy Network (ARTNet; U54, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

What is the ARTNet funding opportunity?

ARTNet (Acquired Resistance to Therapy Network) is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative agreement funding opportunity using the U54 mechanism. It supports building a multi-institutional research network focused on understanding why cancers that initially respond to therapy later become resistant and recur.

What is the main goal of ARTNet?

The goal is to generate an integrated, mechanistic understanding of acquired resistance to modern cancer therapies and to produce knowledge that can realistically translate into strategies to prevent, delay, or overcome resistance in future clinical settings.

How is ARTNet different from the earlier DRSN opportunity?

ARTNet is a reissue and refinement of NCI's earlier Drug Resistance and Sensitivity Network (DRSN, RFA-CA-17-009). The ARTNet FOA places sharper emphasis on (1) the mechanistic basis of acquired resistance across modern cancer therapies and (2) producing insights that are realistically translatable into intervention strategies to address resistance.

What does "U54 cooperative agreement" mean for applicants?

A U54 is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial NCI involvement in coordination and scientific direction compared with standard research project grants. ARTNet is intended to operate as a true network, with collaboration, shared approaches, and alignment to network-wide goals rather than isolated, stand-alone projects.

Is this opportunity intended for single-lab projects or networked team science?

It is explicitly designed for "team science." ARTNet requires a structure that connects basic biology, preclinical modeling, and translational investigation in an iterative, feedback-driven way.

What does the FOA mean by an "iterative" research approach?

ARTNet is structured to create a cycle where mechanistic discoveries inform model development and translational hypotheses, and translational observations feed back into deeper mechanistic work. The intent is to accelerate progress toward intervention concepts relevant to therapy resistance.

What scientific scope is ARTNet expecting applicants to address?

The FOA explicitly spans the tumor-microenvironment continuum. Applicants are expected to consider both tumor cell-intrinsic mechanisms (for example pathway rewiring, target alteration, and clonal selection) and microenvironmental contributors (for example immune context, stromal interactions, metabolic constraints, and therapy-induced changes).

Does ARTNet focus only on tumor cell-intrinsic resistance mechanisms?

No. While tumor cell-intrinsic mechanisms are within scope, ARTNet also emphasizes mechanisms driven by or interacting with the surrounding microenvironment, including immune and stromal effects and therapy-induced changes.

Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?

No. The FOA is designated "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applications should not propose independent clinical trials as part of the funded activities. The emphasis is on mechanistic and translational research that prepares the groundwork for future clinical testing rather than conducting clinical trials within this award.

If clinical trials are not allowed, what kind of translational work is expected?

The FOA describes translational investigation as part of the team-science loop, where translational observations inform mechanistic work and help shape intervention concepts. However, applications should remain within a scope consistent with "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" (i.e., not proposing independent clinical trials as part of the funded activities).

How is ARTNet structured as a program across multiple institutions?

ARTNet is meant to function as a network rather than a collection of separate projects. The FOA emphasizes collaboration, shared approaches, and alignment with network-wide goals, supported by NCI involvement typical of cooperative agreements.

Is there a companion funding opportunity associated with ARTNet?

Yes. This FOA is published in parallel with a companion opportunity for a Coordinating and Data Management Center (CDMC) using the U24 mechanism. The CDMC is intended to support network-wide coordination and data management.

What is the role of the Coordinating and Data Management Center (CDMC)?

The CDMC is intended to support consortium-wide coordination and data management so outputs from participating sites can be harmonized, shared, and leveraged across the network.

How should U54 applicants plan to interact with the CDMC?

Applicants to the U54 should expect their work to interface with the CDMC and to conform to network standards for data and collaboration so that results can be harmonized and shared across the consortium.

Who is eligible to apply for the ARTNet U54?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations, such as state/county/local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.

Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible categories including Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Can non-U.S. organizations apply as the applicant institution?

No. The FOA states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply.

Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible?

No. The FOA states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.

Are foreign components allowed at all?

Yes. The FOA allows foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain foreign activities or collaborations if they meet NIH's definition and requirements for a foreign component.

Which federal agency and institute administer this opportunity?

The opportunity is run through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as the sponsoring institute.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA numbers listed are 93.395 and 93.396.

What is the funding instrument type and activity category?

The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, and the activity category is listed under education and health.

What are the key dates shown in the listing?

The opportunity was created on 2021-08-03, and the original closing date shown is 2021-11-01.

Does the listing provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?

No. The excerpt provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

What types of resistance mechanisms does ARTNet aim to study?

ARTNet aims to study acquired resistance mechanisms across modern cancer therapies, including tumor cell-intrinsic processes (such as pathway rewiring, target alteration, and clonal selection) and microenvironmental influences (such as immune context, stromal interactions, metabolic constraints, and therapy-induced changes).

What is the overall problem ARTNet is designed to tackle?

ARTNet is positioned to address a major barrier to durable cancer control: the frequent development of therapy resistance leading to recurrence, even after initial treatment response.