Call for Applications: Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network Initiative (US)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is inviting applications from collaborative research teams to develop and clinically test novel therapies for adult glioblastoma that can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier. The Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network (GTN) aims to accelerate the development of promising glioblastoma therapies by supporting collaborative research teams working across late preclinical development and early-stage human clinical trials.

About the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network

The GTN initiative addresses the urgent need for improved treatments for adult glioblastoma. The programme is designed to help promising therapeutic agents move from preclinical research into early clinical testing using established National Cancer Institute clinical trial mechanisms. By connecting different stages of the drug development process, the initiative seeks to reduce the gap between promising laboratory findings and clinical evaluation in patients. How Much Funding Is Available? The estimated total programme funding is $4.4 million. The award ceiling is $700,000 per award. Funding is intended to support collaborative research activities involved in developing and clinically testing novel therapeutic approaches for adult glioblastoma. What Does the GTN Support? The programme supports research focused on developing new therapies or repurposed therapeutic combinations that can cross the blood-brain barrier and demonstrate potential efficacy against adult glioblastoma.

The scope includes:

- Late preclinical studies. - Investigational New Drug (IND) studies. - Early human clinical trials. - Phase 0 clinical trials. - Phase 1 clinical trials. - Development of novel therapeutic agents. - Testing of repurposed therapeutic combinations. Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier A major focus of the initiative is the ability of therapeutic agents to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier. This is an important consideration in developing treatments for brain tumors because therapeutic agents must reach the brain and tumor environment at effective levels. Applicants should therefore focus on therapeutic approaches that have the potential to overcome this challenge and demonstrate meaningful activity against adult glioblastoma. From Preclinical Research to Clinical Testing The GTN is designed to support the transition of promising therapies from preclinical development into human studies. The programme covers research activities that can move therapeutic candidates through: - Late preclinical development – Advancing promising therapeutic agents toward clinical testing. - IND studies – Generating information needed to support investigational drug development. - Phase 0/1 trials – Conducting early clinical testing in humans. - Pilot clinical studies – Evaluating promising agents through established NCI clinical trial mechanisms. This integrated approach is intended to help research teams advance therapies through the drug development process more efficiently. Novel and Repurposed Therapies The programme supports both newly developed therapeutic agents and repurposed combinations. Applicants can therefore propose innovative therapies specifically developed for glioblastoma or combinations involving existing therapeutic approaches that have potential for treating adult glioblastoma. The proposed approach must address the programme’s central objective of reaching the brain and demonstrating efficacy against the disease. Collaborative Research Teams The GTN is designed for highly collaborative research teams capable of advancing therapeutic agents across multiple stages of development. Successful teams should have the expertise and capabilities needed to connect preclinical research with early clinical testing. Collaboration is particularly important because the programme spans laboratory studies, IND-related development, and human clinical trials. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S.-based organizations and institutions.

Eligible applicants include:

- U.S.-based small businesses. - U.S.-based for-profit organizations. - Public institutions of higher education. - Private institutions of higher education. - Nonprofit organizations. - Tribal governments. - Tribal organizations. - State governments. - Local governments. - Independent school districts. - Public housing authorities. Applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements for the funding opportunity. Who Is Not Eligible? Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. The opportunity is therefore limited to eligible U.S.-based applicants and does not support applications submitted directly by foreign organizations. Research Objectives The primary objective of the GTN is to develop and clinically test therapeutic approaches that can effectively address adult glioblastoma. Research should focus on agents or repurposed combinations that: - Can cross the blood-brain barrier. - Have potential efficacy against adult glioblastoma. - Can be advanced through late preclinical development. - Can progress toward IND studies. - Are suitable for early-stage clinical testing. How to Prepare a Strong Application A strong proposal should clearly demonstrate how the proposed therapy can move from preclinical research toward clinical testing.

Applicants should explain:

- The therapeutic approach being proposed. - Whether the approach involves a novel agent or repurposed combination. - Evidence supporting its potential effectiveness against adult glioblastoma. - How the therapy can cross the blood-brain barrier. - The current stage of preclinical development. - Proposed late preclinical studies. - Any planned IND-related studies. - The approach to Phase 0/1 clinical testing. - The expertise of the collaborative research team. - How the research will advance the therapeutic candidate toward clinical evaluation. - How established NCI clinical trial me