NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required) | PA 25 306

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 306

The NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required), funding opportunity number PA 25-306, is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism designed to support early-stage, high-potential research that is still in the exploratory or developmental phase. The R21 is meant for projects where the key ideas, approaches, or tools are still being tested and refined, and where there may be more uncertainty or risk than in a typical mature research proposal. The central goal is to help investigators generate strong preliminary evidence, test novel concepts, and create new directions that could later grow into larger, more definitive studies. NIH positions this mechanism for work that could produce a meaningful leap forward in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research, including the creation or early testing of new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications.

A defining feature of this specific Parent R21 opportunity is that it requires at least one clinical trial to be proposed. In practical terms, applicants must be planning research that meets NIH's definition of a clinical trial, meaning the study involves one or more human participants who are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions (which can include behavioral, educational, diagnostic, preventive, or other types of interventions) so that the effects on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes can be evaluated. The clinical trial requirement is not optional under this announcement, so proposals that do not include at least one clinical trial would not align with the funding opportunity as described.

Even though this is a parent announcement open across NIH, the proposed project must fit within the scientific mission and program priorities of at least one participating NIH Institute or Center (IC). That makes it important for applicants to align the research topic, population, condition, intervention type, and outcomes with the interests of the relevant IC(s). The description also flags an important nuance: some NIH ICs only accept applications through this opportunity when the proposed clinical trial is mechanistic in nature, meaning it is aimed at understanding biological or behavioral mechanisms rather than primarily testing efficacy or effectiveness. Applicants are directed to check related notices and IC-specific guidance to confirm whether an institute will accept the type of clinical trial they are proposing under this FOA.

Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes many types of domestic and certain non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and several Native American entities, including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations. The opportunity also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects NIH's interest in supporting innovative clinical trial-related exploratory work across many settings and institution types.

Administratively, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the opportunity remains open with an original closing date listed as 2028-01-07. The listing provides CFDA/assistance numbers across multiple NIH programs, reflecting participation by multiple institutes and centers. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which is common for parent announcements where funding levels depend on NIH appropriations, IC participation, and the volume and quality of meritorious applications. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a flexible entry point for investigators who have a promising, innovative clinical trial concept at an early stage and need NIH support to develop it into a stronger, potentially field-shaping line of research, while ensuring the work clearly fits the priorities and any clinical trial constraints of the targeted NIH IC.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.143, 93.172, 93.173, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.361, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.855, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PA 25 306

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