Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 13 095
Apply for PAR 13 095
- The National Institutes of Health in the health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Differentiation and Integration of Stem Cells (Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent) Into Developing or Damaged Tissues (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 28, 2013 and posted on Jan 28, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 7, 2016. (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 Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 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 Private institutions of higher education Special district governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses State governments County governments City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Independent school districts.
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) offered this R21 grant opportunity, titled "Differentiation and Integration of Stem Cells (Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent) Into Developing or Damaged Tissues (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-13-095), to push forward innovative, higher-risk research in stem cell biology. The central idea was to encourage early-stage, potentially high-impact projects that might be too exploratory for more traditional funding mechanisms, including projects that introduce new concepts, develop new technologies, or generate foundational preliminary data that could support larger future studies. While the topic spans stem cell biology broadly, the emphasis is specifically on understanding how embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells behave in living systems, particularly as they differentiate and integrate into tissues that are still developing or that have been damaged.
A defining feature of the announcement is its strong preference for in vivo work. Rather than focusing mainly on cell culture or purely in vitro differentiation protocols, the FOA prioritized studies carried out in animal models and, when appropriate and feasible, in humans. The goal was to learn how stem cells actually function inside the complex environment of a whole organism, where factors like tissue architecture, immune interactions, vascular supply, developmental cues, injury signals, and local cell-to-cell communication can dramatically influence stem cell fate and function. In practical terms, this means the program was aimed at research that tests stem cell differentiation and tissue integration under real biological conditions, helping clarify what promotes successful engraftment and functional contribution to a tissue, what blocks integration, and what leads to undesired outcomes.
Another major area highlighted by NICHD was the systematic profiling and cataloging of changes in stem cells and their microenvironment at both genetic and epigenetic levels. This includes mapping how gene expression programs shift as stem cells respond to developmental or injury cues, and how epigenetic features (such as DNA methylation patterns, chromatin accessibility, and histone modifications) change as cells commit to specific lineages or adapt to a new tissue niche. Importantly, the FOA frames this profiling as not only about the transplanted or studied stem cells themselves, but also about the surrounding tissue environment, since the microenvironment can dictate whether stem cells remain pluripotent, differentiate appropriately, integrate into existing tissue structures, or fail to survive and function. The announcement therefore supports projects that treat the stem cell niche as a dynamic system and aim to describe it in a structured, data-driven way.
Because this was an R21 mechanism, the intent was to support exploratory and developmental research rather than fully mature programs. The award ceiling listed for the opportunity was $200,000, and there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The program sat within the broad federal activity category of Health (CFDA 93.865, Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research), aligning with NICHD's interest in developmental biology, pediatric health, reproductive biology, and conditions affecting development and tissue function across the lifespan. The FOA was posted on January 28, 2013, and ultimately closed on September 7, 2016, with an archive date of October 8, 2016.
Eligibility was wide and included a broad range of institutions and organization types. Eligible applicants included public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), state and local governments (including counties, cities, townships), independent school districts, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and tribal entities (including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations). The opportunity also explicitly included many categories of minority-serving institutions and community-based groups, such as 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), as well as faith-based and community-based organizations. Notably, foreign participation was allowed: non-U.S. entities and foreign institutions were eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations could participate, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy were permitted.
Overall, PAR-13-095 was designed to seed creative, forward-looking work that clarifies how pluripotent stem cells differentiate and become functional parts of tissues in living systems, especially in the context of development and repair after damage. By emphasizing in vivo models and detailed genetic and epigenetic profiling of both stem cells and their niches, NICHD aimed to support studies that move beyond simplified laboratory settings and toward a more realistic understanding of what it takes for stem cell-based approaches to work safely and effectively in complex organisms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Differentiation and Integration of Stem Cells (Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent) Into Developing or Damaged Tissues (R21)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-13-095.
Which NIH Institute offered this grant?
This grant opportunity was offered by the NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
What type of grant mechanism is this?
This is an NIH R21 grant mechanism, which is intended to support exploratory and developmental research.
What is the overall purpose of this R21 opportunity?
The purpose was to advance innovative, higher-risk research in stem cell biology by supporting early-stage, potentially high-impact projects that may be too exploratory for more traditional funding mechanisms.
What kinds of projects were especially encouraged?
Projects introducing new concepts, developing new technologies, or generating foundational preliminary data that could support larger future studies were especially encouraged.
What is the main scientific focus of the program?
The focus is on understanding how embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells behave in living systems, particularly how they differentiate and integrate into tissues that are still developing or that have been damaged.
Does the opportunity focus on specific stem cell types?
Yes. The emphasis is specifically on embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and how they differentiate and integrate in vivo.
Is this opportunity primarily aimed at in vivo research?
Yes. A defining feature is a strong preference for in vivo work, prioritizing studies carried out in animal models and, when appropriate and feasible, in humans.
How does the FOA treat in vitro or cell-culture-only studies?
The FOA prioritized research in whole-organism contexts rather than focusing mainly on cell culture or purely in vitro differentiation protocols.
Why was in vivo work emphasized?
The goal was to understand how stem cells function inside the complex environment of a whole organism, where factors like tissue architecture, immune interactions, vascular supply, developmental cues, injury signals, and local cell-to-cell communication can influence stem cell fate and function.
What biological questions was the program trying to answer in living systems?
The program aimed to clarify what promotes successful engraftment and functional contribution to a tissue, what blocks integration, and what leads to undesired outcomes when stem cells differentiate and attempt to integrate into developing or damaged tissues.
What kinds of profiling or data generation were highlighted?
The FOA highlighted systematic profiling and cataloging of changes in stem cells and their microenvironment at both genetic and epigenetic levels.
What does "genetic and epigenetic profiling" include in the context of this FOA?
Examples described include mapping shifts in gene expression programs and tracking epigenetic features such as DNA methylation patterns, chromatin accessibility, and histone modifications as cells commit to specific lineages or adapt to a tissue niche.
Was profiling limited to the stem cells themselves?
No. The FOA frames profiling as covering both the stem cells and the surrounding tissue environment (the microenvironment/niche), since the niche can dictate whether stem cells remain pluripotent, differentiate appropriately, integrate into tissue structures, or fail to survive and function.
How does the FOA describe the stem cell niche?
It supports projects that treat the stem cell niche as a dynamic system and aim to describe it in a structured, data-driven way.
What is the maximum award amount mentioned for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed for the opportunity was $200,000.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What is the federal activity category and CFDA listing associated with this program?
The program falls under the federal activity category of Health and is listed as CFDA 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research).
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted on January 28, 2013.
When did the opportunity close?
The opportunity closed on September 7, 2016.
What is the archive date for the FOA?
The archive date is October 8, 2016.
What kinds of organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligibility included a wide range of applicant types, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and multiple government entity types.
Which government entities were listed as eligible applicants?
Eligible government entities included state and local governments (including counties, cities, and townships), independent school districts, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and tribal entities (including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations).
Were minority-serving institutions included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly included categories such as 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).
Were faith-based and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly included faith-based and community-based organizations among eligible applicants.
Was foreign participation allowed?
Yes. Non-U.S. entities and foreign institutions were eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations could participate, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) were permitted.
What is the programmatic rationale behind using an R21 for this topic?
The R21 mechanism was used to seed creative, forward-looking work by supporting exploratory and developmental studies rather than fully mature programs, particularly where early findings or enabling technologies could position investigators for larger future studies.
What broader mission areas does this opportunity align with?
It aligns with NICHD interests that include developmental biology, pediatric health, reproductive biology, and conditions affecting development and tissue function across the lifespan.
In one sentence, what was this FOA designed to achieve?
It was designed to support innovative in vivo studies and systematic genetic/epigenetic profiling that clarify how pluripotent stem cells differentiate and become functional parts of developing or damaged tissues in complex living systems.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Differentiation and Integration of Stem Cells (Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent) Into Developing or Damaged Tissues (R01)
Previous opportunity: Technical Assistance for the Transition of Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Programs and Medical Education to Ethiopia under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
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 13 095
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 13 095) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Differentiation and Integration of Stem Cells (Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent) Into Developing or Damaged Tissues (R01) Apply for PAR 13 094 Funding Number: PAR 13 094 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Evaluation of the Latent Reservoir in HIV Infected Infants and Children with Early Antiretroviral Treatment and Virologic Control (R01) Apply for RFA HD 14 026 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Team Based Design in Biomedical Engineering Education (R25) Apply for PAR 13 111 Funding Number: PAR 13 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Postdoctoral Training Program in Obstetric and Pediatric Pharmacoepidemiology (T32) Apply for PAR 13 112 Funding Number: PAR 13 112 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Safety and Effectiveness of Triple Antiretroviral Drug Strategies for Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (R01) Apply for RFA HD 14 027 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction and Infertility Research (U54) Apply for RFA HD 14 017 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Orthotics for Pediatric Populations (SBIR) (R43) Apply for RFA HD 14 029 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 029 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Orthotics for Healthy Development (STTR) (R41) Apply for RFA HD 14 028 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mucosal Environment and HIV Prevention (MEHP) (R01) Apply for RFA AI 13 012 Funding Number: RFA AI 13 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Male Contraceptive Development Program (U01) Apply for RFA HD 14 023 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Methods Development for Obtaining Comprehensive Genomic Information from Human Specimens that are Easy to Collect and Store (R43/R44) Apply for PAR 13 203 Funding Number: PAR 13 203 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit Research in Biomedicine and Agriculture Using Agriculturally Important Domestic Animal Species (R01) Apply for PAR 13 204 Funding Number: PAR 13 204 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biophysical and Biomechanical Aspects of Embryonic Development (R21) Apply for PAR 13 206 Funding Number: PAR 13 206 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biophysical and Biomechanical Aspects of Embryonic Development (R01) Apply for PAR 13 207 Funding Number: PAR 13 207 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Outcome Measures for Use in Treatment Trials for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (R01) Apply for PAR 13 213 Funding Number: PAR 13 213 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Preclinical Research on Model Organisms to Predict Treatment Outcomes for Disorders Associated with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (R01) Apply for PAR 13 195 Funding Number: PAR 13 195 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Pediatric Critical Care and Trauma Scientist Development Program (K12) Apply for RFA HD 14 019 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $720,037 |
| In vivo Methods for Assessing Placental Development and Function (SBIR) (R43/R44) Apply for RFA HD 14 005 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| In vivo Methods for Assessing Placental Development and Function (R41/R42) Apply for RFA HD 14 004 Funding Number: RFA HD 14 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NICHD Program Project Grant (P01) Apply for PAR 13 257 Funding Number: PAR 13 257 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: 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 13 095", 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.