Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 14 293
Apply for PAR 14 293
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UH2/UH3)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121 Oral Diseases and Disorders Research 93.213 Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.866 Aging Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 22, 2014 and posted on Jul 22, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 7, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Independent school districts Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) For profit organizations other than small businesses Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education City or township governments Special district governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Small businesses State governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UH2/UH3) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to help neuroscience research teams move promising small-molecule therapeutics toward first-in-human testing. The program is built for investigators who already have a credible scientific starting point (such as validated biological targets and early chemical matter) and need structured, milestone-driven support to translate that work into a clinic-ready drug development package. Rather than funding only academic experiments in isolation, BPN combines direct project funding with access to an organized development “engine†that includes NIH-supported expert consultants and specialized contract research organizations (CROs). The overall intent is to close the gap between discovery biology in the lab and the practical, regulated steps required to start clinical trials.
A defining feature of this opportunity is the cooperative agreement mechanism (UH2/UH3), which signals a hands-on partnership model with NIH. In practice, this means the award is not just a standard grant where investigators operate independently; it is structured around active collaboration, defined milestones, and go/no-go decision points. The project is expected to progress along a development track with measurable deliverables, using resources that mirror industry-grade drug development capabilities. The NIH-supported CRO network covers key disciplines that are often difficult for academic groups to assemble on their own, including medicinal chemistry optimization, pharmacokinetics (PK), toxicology, formulation development, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) chemical synthesis, and Phase I clinical testing preparation and execution.
Projects can enter the program at one of two stages, depending on maturity. The Discovery entry point is meant for teams that have well-validated “hit†compounds and need to optimize them through medicinal chemistry to improve properties like potency, selectivity, brain exposure, metabolic stability, and safety-related liabilities. The goal at this stage is to transform early hits into development-quality candidates by iterative design, synthesis, and testing. The Development entry point is aimed at teams that already have a strong development candidate and are ready for the more regulated, IND-enabling steps, which typically include formal toxicology studies, formulation work suitable for clinical use, GMP manufacturing of the drug substance and drug product, and the planning needed to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. A key advantage is that projects entering at the Discovery stage are not limited to that phase; if they hit their milestones, they can advance into the Development phase, creating a continuous pathway from lead optimization through early clinical testing.
The scope is specifically focused on small-molecule therapeutics intended to address disorders of the nervous system, aligning with NIH neuroscience-related missions and including areas reflected by the listed CFDA programs (for example, mental health, neurological disorders, addiction, alcohol research, aging, child health, and related fields). While the CFDA list spans multiple NIH domains, the common thread is neurotherapeutics development, with an emphasis on translating mechanistic neuroscience into drug-like compounds that can ultimately be tested in people. This is not positioned as a basic research program; it is a translational, development-oriented effort where the deliverables resemble what would be needed for an IND and a Phase I study package.
Another important incentive is the program’s stated position on intellectual property: participants retain intellectual property rights to drug candidates developed through BPN. That matters for academic labs and institutional tech transfer offices because it preserves the ability to license, partner, or form a company around successful assets after the work is de-risked through the program. In other words, BPN aims to reduce scientific and development risk while allowing investigators and their institutions to maintain downstream commercialization options.
Administratively, the opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 14-293) was posted July 22, 2014, with an original and final closing date of May 7, 2017, and it was archived June 7, 2017. It required no cost sharing or matching. Eligible applicants were broad and included many organization types: public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses, though small businesses were also listed as eligible), local and state governments, school districts, tribal governments and tribal organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain non-U.S. entities and regional organizations. The eligibility language also explicitly referenced a range of institution types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, reflecting NIH’s inclusive eligibility framework for research and development programs.
In summary, this BPN UH2/UH3 opportunity was essentially a translational drug development partnership program for neuroscience-focused small molecules. It offered funding plus coordinated access to specialized drug development expertise and CRO infrastructure, supporting either lead optimization (Discovery) or IND-enabling work and Phase I readiness (Development), with milestone-based progression and retention of intellectual property rights for successful candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) UH2/UH3 funding opportunity?
The Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UH2/UH3) is an NIH funding opportunity designed to help neuroscience research teams move promising small-molecule therapeutics toward first-in-human testing. It supports translational, development-focused work rather than basic research in isolation.
What is the main goal of this program?
The main goal is to close the gap between discovery biology in the lab and the practical, regulated steps required to start clinical trials. The program is built to produce a clinic-ready drug development package that can support early clinical testing readiness (including Phase I preparation).
What types of projects is BPN intended for?
BPN is intended for teams that already have a credible scientific starting point, such as validated biological targets and early chemical matter, and need structured, milestone-driven support to translate that work into a development-quality candidate suitable for IND-enabling steps and first-in-human preparation.
Is this a basic research grant?
No. Based on the description, this opportunity is positioned as a translational, development-oriented effort. The expected deliverables resemble what would be needed for an IND and a Phase I study package, not open-ended basic research.
What does the UH2/UH3 cooperative agreement mechanism mean in practice?
The UH2/UH3 mechanism indicates a cooperative agreement with a hands-on partnership model with NIH. Projects are structured around active collaboration, defined milestones, and go/no-go decision points, rather than operating as an independent, investigator-directed grant with minimal external involvement.
How is the program structured to support drug development?
BPN combines direct project funding with access to an organized drug development "engine" that includes NIH-supported expert consultants and specialized contract research organizations (CROs). This is meant to provide industry-grade development capabilities that academic groups often cannot assemble on their own.
What specialized capabilities or services are available through the NIH-supported CRO network?
The CRO network is described as covering key drug development disciplines, including medicinal chemistry optimization, pharmacokinetics (PK), toxicology, formulation development, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) chemical synthesis, and Phase I clinical testing preparation and execution.
What diseases or therapeutic areas does this opportunity focus on?
The scope focuses on small-molecule therapeutics intended to address disorders of the nervous system. It aligns with NIH neuroscience-related missions and includes areas reflected by the listed CFDA programs, such as mental health, neurological disorders, addiction, alcohol research, aging, and child health, among related fields.
Are only small-molecule therapeutics supported?
Yes. The opportunity is explicitly described as supporting small-molecule drug discovery and development for disorders of the nervous system.
What are the two entry points (stages) for projects?
Projects can enter at one of two stages depending on maturity: (1) a Discovery entry point for teams with validated hit compounds needing medicinal chemistry optimization, and (2) a Development entry point for teams with a strong development candidate ready for IND-enabling work and Phase I readiness activities.
What is the purpose of the Discovery entry point?
The Discovery entry point is for projects that have well-validated "hit" compounds and need to optimize them through medicinal chemistry. The goal is to improve key properties such as potency, selectivity, brain exposure, metabolic stability, and safety-related liabilities to transform hits into development-quality candidates.
What is the purpose of the Development entry point?
The Development entry point is for projects that already have a strong development candidate and are ready for regulated, IND-enabling steps. These steps typically include formal toxicology studies, formulation work suitable for clinical use, GMP manufacturing of drug substance and drug product, and planning to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
Can a project start in Discovery and later move into Development?
Yes. A stated advantage is that projects entering at the Discovery stage are not limited to that phase. If they meet their milestones, they can advance into the Development phase, providing a continuous pathway from lead optimization through early clinical testing readiness.
What kinds of milestones and decision points should applicants expect?
Based on the description, projects are expected to follow a development track with measurable deliverables and defined milestones, paired with go/no-go decision points. This milestone-driven structure is a defining feature of the cooperative agreement approach described.
What is meant by "industry-grade" development capabilities in this context?
It refers to having access to coordinated expertise and infrastructure typical of professional drug development programs, including medicinal chemistry, PK, toxicology, formulation, GMP synthesis/manufacturing, and Phase I preparation and execution, supported through NIH-linked consultants and CROs.
Does the program help with GMP manufacturing?
Yes. The NIH-supported CRO network is described as covering GMP chemical synthesis, and the Development stage description includes GMP manufacturing of both drug substance and drug product.
Does the program support preparation for Phase I clinical testing?
Yes. The description states that the CRO network covers Phase I clinical testing preparation and execution, and the overall program intent is to move therapeutics toward first-in-human testing.
Does BPN support activities related to an IND application?
Yes. The Development entry point includes IND-enabling steps and planning needed to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, and overall deliverables are described as resembling what would be needed for an IND and Phase I study package.
Who keeps the intellectual property (IP) created for drug candidates developed through the program?
Participants retain intellectual property rights to drug candidates developed through BPN, according to the program description. This is highlighted as important for licensing, partnering, or forming a company after de-risking the asset through the program.
Why is IP retention significant for academic institutions and tech transfer offices?
Because it preserves downstream commercialization options. The program aims to reduce scientific and development risk while allowing investigators and institutions to maintain the ability to license, partner, or build a company around successful drug candidates.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 14-293.
What were the posting and closing dates for this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on July 22, 2014. The original and final closing date was May 7, 2017. It was archived on June 7, 2017.
Is this funding opportunity still active?
No. The information provided states it was archived on June 7, 2017, with a final closing date of May 7, 2017.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity required no cost sharing or matching.
What types of organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses, though small businesses were also listed as eligible), local and state governments, school districts, tribal governments and tribal organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain non-U.S. entities and regional organizations.
Were small businesses eligible to apply?
Yes. While the eligibility description mentions for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), it also states that small businesses were listed as eligible.
Are minority-serving institutions included in the eligibility framework?
Yes. The eligibility language explicitly referenced institution types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISIs, tribally controlled colleges and universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions.
Could government entities apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants included local and state governments, school districts, tribal governments and tribal organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Could non-U.S. entities participate?
Yes. The eligibility description includes certain non-U.S. entities and regional organizations.
What is the overall value proposition of BPN compared with a typical research grant?
Rather than funding only academic experiments, BPN combines funding with coordinated access to expert consultants and CRO infrastructure, and it uses a milestone-driven cooperative agreement model with go/no-go decisions. The intent is to deliver a practical development package that supports IND readiness and first-in-human preparation.
What kinds of improvements are targeted during medicinal chemistry optimization in the Discovery stage?
The Discovery stage focuses on optimizing early hits to improve potency, selectivity, brain exposure, metabolic stability, and safety-related liabilities through iterative design, synthesis, and testing.
What regulated steps are emphasized in the Development stage?
The Development stage emphasizes regulated, IND-enabling work such as formal toxicology studies, formulation suitable for clinical use, GMP manufacturing (drug substance and drug product), and planning to support an IND submission and Phase I readiness.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: FY 2015 Research Opportunities in High Energy Physics
Previous opportunity: Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (U44)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 14 293
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 14 293) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Limited Competition Research Training for Career Development of Junior Faculty in Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Institutions (D43) Apply for RFA TW 14 003 Funding Number: RFA TW 14 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Physical Sciences Oncology Network (PS ON) Physical Sciences Oncology Projects (PS OP) (U01) Apply for PAR 15 021 Funding Number: PAR 15 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) Data and Operations Center (DOC) (U01) Apply for RFA HD 15 029 Funding Number: RFA HD 15 029 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $17,975,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 15 003 Funding Number: RFA NS 15 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Optimization of Transformative Technologies for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 15 004 Funding Number: RFA NS 15 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Integrated Approaches to Understanding Circuit Function in the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 15 005 Funding Number: RFA NS 15 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Planning for Next Generation Human Brain Imaging (R24) Apply for RFA MH 15 200 Funding Number: RFA MH 15 200 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Analyze Cell Specific and Circuit Specific Processes in the Brain (U01) Apply for RFA MH 15 225 Funding Number: RFA MH 15 225 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Empirical Research on Ethical Issues Related to Central IRBs and Consent for Research Using Clinical Records and Data (R01) Apply for RFA OD 15 002 Funding Number: RFA OD 15 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Short Courses in Computational Neuroscience (R25) Apply for RFA MH 15 215 Funding Number: RFA MH 15 215 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative Short Courses in Research Tools and Methods (R25) Apply for RFA MH 15 220 Funding Number: RFA MH 15 220 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Predictive Multiscale Models for Biomedical, Biological, Behavioral, Environmental and Clinical Research (U01) Apply for PAR 15 085 Funding Number: PAR 15 085 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Next Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH2/UH3) Apply for RFA NS 15 006 Funding Number: RFA NS 15 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative Clinical Studies to Advance Next Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH3) Apply for RFA NS 15 008 Funding Number: RFA NS 15 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study Research Project Sites (U01) Apply for RFA DA 15 015 Funding Number: RFA DA 15 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study Coordinating Center (U24) Apply for RFA DA 15 014 Funding Number: RFA DA 15 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study Data Analysis and Informatics Center (U24) Apply for RFA DA 15 016 Funding Number: RFA DA 15 016 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) Advancing Biomedical Science Using Crowdsourcing and Interactive Digital Media (UH2) Apply for RFA CA 15 006 Funding Number: RFA CA 15 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing Translational and Clinical Probiotic/Prebiotic and Human Microbiome Research (R01) Apply for PA 15 127 Funding Number: PA 15 127 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Jointly Sponsored Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (T32) Apply for PAR 15 178 Funding Number: PAR 15 178 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 14 293", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.