Design and Development of Novel Dental Composite Restorative Systems (U01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this NIH grant?

The funding opportunity is identified as RFA-DE-13-001.

What is the purpose of RFA-DE-13-001?

This cooperative agreement was designed to push restorative dentistry beyond standard resin-based dental fillings by supporting the design and development of entirely new dental composite restorative systems. The emphasis is on novel composite polymer chemistries and complete restorative systems that clearly outperform widely used Bis-GMA/TEGDMA-based materials in the oral environment.

What types of projects were NIH looking for under this FOA?

NIH sought ambitious, development-oriented projects focused on genuinely new material platforms rather than incremental improvements to existing commercial-style composites. Applicants were expected to pursue fundamentally different polymer approaches and full restorative systems capable of delivering a major step-change in performance.

Are incremental upgrades to existing dental composites responsive to this FOA?

No. The FOA explicitly indicates that routine, incremental upgrades to existing commercial-style composites were not the objective. The intent was to catalyze new material platforms that significantly outperform current Bis-GMA/TEGDMA systems.

What is the primary performance expectation for the new restorative systems?

A central expectation is durability. Projects were expected to aim for restorative materials with a clinical service life at least twice that of current commercial composites.

What does "at least twice the clinical service life" imply for material performance?

It implies a strong emphasis on improved mechanical integrity, resistance to wear and fracture, and long-term stability in real oral conditions. The FOA language signals that applicants should address known failure modes of conventional composites and provide evidence that the new system maintains performance over time.

What oral environment stressors were highlighted as important for durability?

The FOA description points to demanding oral conditions such as repeated chewing forces, temperature cycling, moisture exposure, dietary acids, enzymatic activity, and bacterial challenges.

Did the FOA specify exact test methods or protocols to prove durability?

No specific test methods were listed in the provided summary. However, the language indicates applicants would be expected to justify how their design addresses known failure modes and how they will generate evidence of superior endurance and long-term performance.

What funding mechanism was used for this opportunity?

The mechanism was a U01 cooperative agreement.

What does a U01 cooperative agreement generally mean in practice?

A U01 typically indicates an assistance award where NIH has substantial involvement during the project. This often includes programmatic collaboration, milestone-based oversight, and coordination intended to keep development efforts aligned with translational goals.

What is the CFDA number and program area for this FOA?

The CFDA number was 93.121, under Oral Diseases and Disorders Research.

What was the estimated total funding amount for the opportunity?

The estimated total funding amount listed was $3,000,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting and creation date was September 12, 2012.

What was the application deadline for RFA-DE-13-001?

The original and current closing date was January 31, 2013.

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The archive date was March 3, 2013, and the closing date was January 31, 2013, indicating the competition is historical and no longer open.

Why is a closed/archived FOA still useful to review?

Even though it is no longer open, the description serves as a roadmap of what NIH considered a high-priority gap in restorative dentistry: moving beyond the dominant Bis-GMA/TEGDMA paradigm toward next-generation composite systems built around fundamentally different polymer approaches, with a clear benchmark of doubling service life.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included many types of U.S. organizations such as state, county, city, township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), where applicable); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profit entities); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; and tribal entities (federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations).

Were non-U.S. applicants or foreign institutions eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly allowed non-U.S. applicants and foreign institutions, as well as non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations and foreign components as defined by NIH policy.

Did the eligibility list include minority-serving institutions and other special categories?

Yes. Additional eligible applicants called out included Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

What types of organizations were explicitly mentioned as eligible (examples)?

Examples included for-profit organizations and small businesses, nonprofit organizations, public and private higher education institutions, multiple levels of government entities, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Where was the full announcement hosted?

The full announcement was hosted on the NIH grants site under the RFA-DE-13-001 page.

Who was the contact for website access or linking issues related to the announcement?

The provided contact was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.