The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), has announced a funding opportunity titled "Assay development and screening for discovery of chemical probes, drugs or immunomodulators (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)." This initiative invites applications for the identification and development of small molecules that can elucidate disease biology or serve as therapeutic agents, with a focus on advancing research related to cancer treatment. The program encompasses various stages of discovery research, including assay development, high-throughput screening, hit validation, and optimization of lead compounds, encouraging innovative methodologies to enhance understanding of cancer biology. Interested applicants, including a wide range of institutions and organizations, must submit their proposals by September 7, 2026, and can find additional information and application guidelines at the NIH grants website or contact NIH Grants Information at grantsinfo@nih.gov.