Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 13 206
Apply for PAR 13 206
- The National Institutes of Health in the health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biophysical and Biomechanical Aspects of Embryonic Development (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 22, 2013 and posted on Apr 22, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 17, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: 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 Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education City or township governments Special district governments State governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Small businesses Independent school districts Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities For profit organizations other than small businesses.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity PAR-13-206, titled "Biophysical and Biomechanical Aspects of Embryonic Development (R21)," is a discretionary grant program designed to spark bold, early-stage research at the intersection of developmental biology and physical sciences. The core aim is to encourage innovative, high-risk/high-impact studies that examine how physical forces, tissue mechanics, and biomechanical properties shape embryonic development, primarily using model organisms. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for projects that can open up new ways of thinking about how developing tissues move, deform, generate force, and respond to mechanical constraints as an embryo forms organs and body structures.
A defining feature of this R21 announcement is its emphasis on exploratory work. Rather than requiring applicants to arrive with extensive preliminary data, NIH signals that minimal or even no preliminary data may be acceptable, as long as the application makes a strong case that the idea matters and is scientifically credible. This is meant to lower the barrier for genuinely new directions, including unconventional hypotheses, fresh conceptual frameworks for developmental tissue mechanics, and early prototypes of methods or tools that could later support larger, more definitive studies. The FOA explicitly welcomes technology development and proof-of-concept efforts, as well as initial data generation that can serve as the foundation for significant future research.
The scientific focus centers on vertebrate development and on producing "new and critical information" about tissue mechanics that is relevant to development and to the origins of developmental disorders. That framing makes it clear that the program is not only interested in mechanics for its own sake; it is also interested in how mechanical forces and material properties might contribute to normal patterning, morphogenesis, and organ formation, and how disruptions in these processes could lead to congenital or developmental abnormalities. Projects that connect biomechanical mechanisms to disease-relevant developmental outcomes are therefore well aligned with the goals of the announcement.
Because this is an R21 mechanism, reviewers will still expect a convincing rationale and a sound approach, even if the work is exploratory. The FOA highlights several points applicants must address clearly: the significance of the proposed work, the scientific soundness of the research plan or development strategy, the qualifications of the investigative team, and whether the team has access to adequate resources and an appropriate environment to carry out the work. In other words, the program encourages risk in the idea, not avoidable risk caused by weak experimental design, lack of expertise, or missing infrastructure.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity was posted on April 22, 2013, with an original and current closing date listed as September 17, 2015, and an archive date of October 18, 2015. The award ceiling is noted as $200,000, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The funding activity sits within the broad federal category of Health, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.837 (Cardiovascular Diseases Research) and 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research), which is consistent with NIH interest in both fundamental developmental mechanisms and their relevance to human health outcomes.
Eligibility is intentionally broad and includes many types of organizations: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits), small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also specifies eligibility for a wide range of mission-driven and community-focused institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Importantly, non-U.S. entities are eligible: foreign organizations and foreign institutions may apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed. This broad eligibility reflects the idea that breakthroughs in embryonic mechanics and enabling technologies can come from diverse research ecosystems and international collaborations.
The sponsoring agency is NIH, and the full announcement was available through the NIH grants guide page linked in the opportunity record. For access issues or technical problems connecting to the announcement, the contact listed is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is PAR-13-206?
PAR-13-206 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Biophysical and Biomechanical Aspects of Embryonic Development (R21)." It supports exploratory, early-stage research that connects developmental biology with the physical sciences, with an emphasis on how physical forces and tissue mechanics shape embryonic development.
What type of grant mechanism is this?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is designed for exploratory and developmental research projects. The program is intended to help investigators pursue bold, early ideas and generate proof-of-concept results that can support larger future studies.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central goal is to encourage innovative, high-risk/high-impact studies that examine how physical forces, tissue mechanics, and biomechanical properties influence embryonic development, particularly in model organisms. The FOA aims to spark new ways of thinking about how tissues move, deform, generate force, and respond to mechanical constraints during morphogenesis and organ formation.
What scientific areas or topics does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA emphasizes the biophysical and biomechanical aspects of embryonic development, including tissue mechanics and physical forces during development. It specifically frames the scientific focus around vertebrate development and the production of new and critical information relevant to development and the origins of developmental disorders.
Is this funding opportunity focused on basic science, disease relevance, or both?
Both. While the program supports fundamental work on tissue mechanics and physical forces in embryonic development, it also emphasizes relevance to the origins of developmental disorders. Projects that connect biomechanical mechanisms to disease-relevant developmental outcomes align well with the stated goals.
Are model organisms required or preferred?
The FOA indicates the work is primarily expected to use model organisms, reflecting the goal of understanding how biomechanics shapes embryonic development in tractable experimental systems.
Does NIH expect extensive preliminary data for an R21 under this FOA?
No. A defining feature of this announcement is its emphasis on exploratory work. NIH signals that minimal or even no preliminary data may be acceptable, as long as the application makes a strong case that the idea is important and scientifically credible.
If preliminary data are not required, what still matters for competitiveness?
Even though the FOA encourages early-stage ideas, reviewers are still expected to look for a convincing rationale and a sound approach. The FOA highlights the need to clearly address: (1) significance, (2) scientific soundness of the research plan or development strategy, (3) qualifications of the investigative team, and (4) access to adequate resources and an appropriate environment.
What kinds of projects are explicitly welcomed?
The FOA explicitly welcomes technology development and proof-of-concept efforts, as well as early data generation that can lay the groundwork for substantial future research. It also welcomes unconventional hypotheses and fresh conceptual frameworks related to developmental tissue mechanics.
What does "high-risk/high-impact" mean in the context of this FOA?
In this program, the "risk" is intended to be in the novelty of the idea and direction (for example, unconventional hypotheses or new conceptual approaches), not in avoidable weaknesses such as poor experimental design, insufficient expertise, or lack of infrastructure.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed in the opportunity record is $200,000.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What is the funding category for this opportunity?
The funding activity sits within the broad federal category of Health.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.837 (Cardiovascular Diseases Research) and 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research).
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity record states it was posted on April 22, 2013.
What is the closing date for applications?
The opportunity record lists an original and current closing date of September 17, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed in the opportunity record is October 18, 2015.
Who is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); small businesses; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district). Independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are also included.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically included in the eligibility statement?
Yes. The FOA specifically notes eligibility for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Can non-U.S. organizations apply?
Yes. The FOA states that foreign organizations and foreign institutions may apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed.
Is international collaboration allowed under this FOA?
Yes. The explicit inclusion of foreign organizations, foreign institutions, and foreign components indicates that international participation and collaboration are allowed within NIH policy definitions.
What does the FOA say about the application needing the right environment and resources?
The FOA emphasizes that applicants should demonstrate access to adequate resources and an appropriate environment to carry out the work. This aligns with the program's intent to fund risky ideas, not proposals that are risky due to missing infrastructure or support.
Where can applicants find the full announcement?
The opportunity record indicates the full announcement was available through the NIH grants guide page linked in the record.
Who should be contacted for access issues or technical problems with the announcement link?
The contact listed for access issues or technical problems connecting to the announcement is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
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