Phased Innovation Award

Technologies with near-term application potential frequently require pilot research to test their feasibility before full-scale development. When the transition from research to development is delayed, projects can languish, and potentially valuable technologies are jeopardized.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed the Phased Innovation Award with special features designed to foster the translation of emerging technologies from pilot research-to-research development, speeding the adoption of near-term technological opportunities.

Special features of the Phased Innovation Award include:

• Support for feasibility studies through the R21 mechanism coupled to a second phase supporting full-scale technology development using the R33 mechanism.
• Minimal or no funding gap between the feasibility and development phases based on the accomplishment of negotiated scientific milestones.
• Flexible timing of feasibility and development phases.
• Flexible budget structure.

The rapid transition of technology research into an expanded development phase, which is critical to success of the Phased Innovation Award, depends on the completion of negotiated scientific milestones. Scientific program staff members at NCI coordinate the review of the progress made in the feasibility phase. The type of review depends on the complexity of the milestones and the size of the proposed funding increase.