Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 389

FAQs: NIH PAR-19-389 - Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

What is the NIH funding opportunity PAR-19-389 about?

PAR-19-389 supports exploratory, early-stage research focused on improving how cancer is detected and diagnosed from medical images by studying the human side of image interpretation. The opportunity emphasizes that accuracy in radiology and pathology depends not only on technology (scanners, stains, algorithms) but also on how human observers perceive, interpret, and make decisions based on images.

What is the overall goal of this funding opportunity?

The goal is to reduce errors and improve diagnostic accuracy in cancer image interpretation by advancing understanding of perceptual and cognitive processes that drive observer performance. Insights from these studies are intended to strengthen cancer detection and diagnostic decision-making in real-world settings.

What kinds of research topics does the FOA encourage?

The FOA encourages projects that examine how perception, cognition, and context shape image interpretation performance, including work on visual perception, decision-making under uncertainty, expertise development, memory and expectations, and the influence of biases or heuristics on misses or false alarms.

Does this opportunity apply to radiology, pathology, or both?

It is relevant to both radiology and pathology observers and broadly includes clinicians and others who interpret cancer-related images.

What does the FOA mean by studying "visual perception" in cancer image interpretation?

In this context, visual perception research can include studying what image features observers notice or miss, how attention is allocated during reading, and how image quality or image presentation affects what is perceived and recognized.

What does the FOA mean by studying "cognition and decision-making" in image interpretation?

Cognition and decision-making research can include how observers form judgments when evidence is uncertain, how expertise develops, how memory and expectations influence conclusions, and how decision shortcuts (biases or heuristics) can contribute to false alarms or missed findings.

Are workflow and real-world context within scope for this FOA?

Yes. The FOA notes that workflow and contextual factors influencing performance in real settings are relevant, including factors such as case mix, time pressure, fatigue, and how images and clinical information are presented.

Can projects compare different types of observers?

Yes. The FOA supports studies that compare different levels of experience or training and examine how interpretation changes depending on observer characteristics and conditions.

What types of study designs fit this opportunity?

The FOA allows flexibility in study types, ranging from controlled, lab-based observer experiments to applied studies that test interventions intended to improve interpretation, as long as the project aligns with the intent of understanding and improving perceptual and cognitive factors in cancer image reading.

What is the NIH R21 mechanism and why is it used here?

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is commonly used for exploratory, proof-of-concept, or hypothesis-generating research. It is intended to support innovative pilot work and establish feasibility that could lead to larger future studies.

What is the funding ceiling for this opportunity?

The source details provided list an award ceiling of $200,000, consistent with the relatively modest budget scale typical of the R21 mechanism for early-stage and feasibility-focused projects.

Is a clinical trial required under PAR-19-389?

No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose a study that includes a clinical trial component if appropriate to the research question, but a clinical trial is not required.

What does "Clinical Trial Optional" allow an applicant to do?

It allows applicants to propose either non-trial studies (for example, observer performance experiments) or studies that include a clinical trial component to test an intervention intended to improve interpretation, as long as the work fits the FOA's focus on perception and cognition in cancer image reading.

Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

A wide range of organizations are eligible, including state, county, and local governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where relevant); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.

Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations included in eligibility?

Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.

Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?

Yes. The FOA indicates that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible applicant types.

Are U.S. territories or possessions included as eligible applicants?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are specifically highlighted among eligible applicant types.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA highlights eligible federal agencies as an applicant type.

What is the practical impact NIH is aiming for with this research?

The FOA is oriented toward practical improvements in cancer image interpretation, such as informing better training approaches, improving interpretation strategies, enhancing display or workflow approaches, and developing other interventions that help image readers make more accurate cancer-related decisions.

What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.394 and 93.395.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The provided record lists the creation date as 2019-10-02.

What closing date is listed for this opportunity in the provided record?

The original closing date listed in the provided record is 2023-01-07.

How should this opportunity be understood in plain terms?

It is NIH support for innovative cancer imaging research that focuses on the human observer: how people see, think, and decide when reading radiology or pathology images, and how that understanding can be used to reduce diagnostic errors and improve cancer detection and diagnosis.