Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 13 049
Apply for PAR 13 049
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.866 Aging Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2012 and posted on Dec 18, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 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: 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 Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education City or township governments County governments 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R21) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-13-049) was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to push early-stage, exploratory drug discovery work toward tangible preclinical candidates for nervous system conditions. The central aim was to support research focused on discovering and testing new compounds that could prevent or treat disorders of the nervous system, with an emphasis on moving beyond basic observations into practical, preclinical proof-of-concept. As an R21 mechanism, it was geared toward novel, potentially high-impact ideas that may still be in development but are ready for structured early testing and refinement.
The scientific scope of the announcement emphasized two connected stages: (1) discovery of novel therapeutic compounds and (2) preclinical testing to evaluate whether those compounds show enough promise to justify further development. In practice, this kind of FOA typically fits projects that involve identifying or designing small molecules or other therapeutic candidates, optimizing or characterizing them, and then generating preclinical data such as efficacy signals, target engagement, early safety/tolerability indicators, and other foundational results needed before more advanced development. The opportunity explicitly framed the work around prevention and treatment, signaling interest in candidates that could alter disease risk, progression, or symptoms, rather than only describing disease mechanisms.
From an administrative and programmatic standpoint, this was a grant (FundingInstrumentType: Grant) under health and education-related federal assistance categories, and it aligned with multiple NIH-related CFDA program areas: mental health research (93.242), alcohol research programs (93.273), drug abuse and addiction research programs (93.279), and aging research (93.866). That mix indicates the program’s relevance to a broad range of nervous system and neurobehavioral conditions, including those tied to mental health, substance use, and age-associated neurological decline. The NIH served as the sponsoring agency, and the official posting date and creation date were December 18, 2012.
In terms of budget parameters, the listed award ceiling was $200,000. The announcement also indicated that there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to provide non-federal matching funds as a condition of the award. The FOA was open for submissions until its closing date of January 7, 2016, and it was archived on February 7, 2016, which means it is no longer accepting applications under that specific announcement number and cycle.
Eligibility was intentionally broad and inclusive, allowing a wide range of organizations to apply. Eligible applicants included public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including city/township, county, and special district governments), independent school districts, and public housing/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also allowed nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (with the noted exception category related to institutions of higher education) and for-profit organizations, including small businesses. It also included Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other Native American tribal organizations, as well as a range of mission-driven and underserved-serving entities such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, along with Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Faith-based and community-based organizations were also listed as eligible.
A notable feature of this opportunity was that it allowed non-U.S. participation: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions were eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations could participate, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) were allowed. That openness suggests NIH wanted to capture promising drug discovery and preclinical development efforts wherever the strongest capabilities existed, while still operating under NIH’s standard policy framework for international participation.
For applicants seeking the original full text and application instructions, the FOA referenced an NIH guide link (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-049.html). For access or technical issues related to the announcement, the contact pathway provided was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV), which was the listed point of contact for difficulty accessing or linking to the funding announcement online.
FAQs: Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R21) - PAR-13-049
What is the Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R21) opportunity (PAR-13-049)?
PAR-13-049 was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program that supported early-stage, exploratory drug discovery projects aimed at producing tangible preclinical candidates for nervous system disorders. It used the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for novel, potentially high-impact ideas that are ready for structured early testing and refinement.
What was the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central goal was to move projects beyond basic observations and into practical, preclinical proof-of-concept by supporting research that discovers and tests new compounds that could prevent or treat disorders of the nervous system.
What kinds of research activities were emphasized?
The announcement emphasized two connected stages: (1) discovery of novel therapeutic compounds and (2) preclinical testing to evaluate whether those compounds show enough promise to justify further development.
What does "discovery of novel therapeutic compounds" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, it refers to identifying or designing potential therapeutic candidates (such as small molecules or other compounds), and then optimizing or characterizing them in preparation for early preclinical evaluation.
What does "preclinical testing" refer to for this FOA?
In this opportunity, preclinical testing refers to generating foundational evidence that a candidate is promising, such as efficacy signals, target engagement, and early safety or tolerability indicators, along with other key results needed before more advanced development.
Was this opportunity focused on treatment, prevention, or both?
Both. The FOA explicitly framed the supported work around prevention and treatment of nervous system disorders, indicating interest in candidates that could alter disease risk, progression, or symptoms.
Did the program support basic disease mechanism research?
The description indicates an emphasis on moving beyond basic observations into practical, preclinical proof-of-concept. That suggests the focus was not solely on describing mechanisms, but on drug discovery and early preclinical development activities tied to prevention and treatment.
What type of funding instrument was this?
It was a grant (FundingInstrumentType: Grant) administered by NIH.
Which agency sponsored this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency was the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What was the maximum award amount listed for this FOA?
The listed award ceiling was $200,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement indicated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to provide non-federal matching funds as a condition of the award.
When was PAR-13-049 posted?
The official posting date and creation date were December 18, 2012.
What was the application closing date?
The FOA was open for submissions until January 7, 2016.
Is PAR-13-049 still accepting applications?
No. It was archived on February 7, 2016, which means it is no longer accepting applications under that specific announcement number and cycle.
What CFDA program areas did this opportunity align with?
The FOA aligned with multiple NIH-related CFDA program areas: mental health research (93.242), alcohol research programs (93.273), drug abuse and addiction research programs (93.279), and aging research (93.866).
What does the mix of CFDA areas suggest about the scientific reach of this program?
It suggests the program was relevant to a broad range of nervous system and neurobehavioral conditions, including those tied to mental health, substance use, and age-associated neurological decline.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad. Eligible applicants included public and private institutions of higher education; state and local governments (including city/township, county, and special district governments); independent school districts; and public housing/Indian housing authorities.
Were nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status were listed as eligible (with a noted exception category related to institutions of higher education, as stated in the opportunity description).
Were for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, were eligible to apply.
Were tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other Native American tribal organizations were included in the eligibility list.
Were minority-serving institutions and similar entities included in eligibility?
Yes. The eligibility list included 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 and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Were faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations were listed as eligible.
Could non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. The opportunity allowed non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions to apply.
Could a U.S. organization include non-U.S. components?
Yes. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations could participate, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) were allowed.
Where could applicants find the original FOA text and instructions?
The FOA referenced the NIH guide link: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-13-049.html
Who was listed as the contact for technical issues accessing the announcement?
For difficulty accessing or linking to the funding announcement online, the contact pathway provided was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email: FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV
What is the key takeaway about the purpose and stage of work supported by this R21?
It was designed to support novel drug discovery efforts that were ready to be shaped into structured early testing, producing preclinical evidence that a compound could be a credible candidate for preventing or treating nervous system disorders.
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Previous opportunity: Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R01)
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 13 049) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Pain in Aging (R01) Apply for PA 13 058 Funding Number: PA 13 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pain in Aging (R21) Apply for PA 13 059 Funding Number: PA 13 059 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Pain in Aging (R03) Apply for PA 13 060 Funding Number: PA 13 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Administrative Supplements to NCI Funded Research Projects Funding to Advance Research on Cancers in Women (Admin Supp) Apply for PAR 13 067 Funding Number: PAR 13 067 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Feasibility Studies to Build Collaborative Partnerships in Cancer Research (P20) Apply for PAR 13 068 Funding Number: PAR 13 068 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R21) Apply for PAR 13 054 Funding Number: PAR 13 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R03) Apply for PAR 13 056 Funding Number: PAR 13 056 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Behavioral Integrative Treatment Development Program (R34) Apply for PA 13 078 Funding Number: PA 13 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Behavioral Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01) Apply for PA 13 077 Funding Number: PA 13 077 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Behavioral Integrative Treatment Development Program (R03) Apply for PA 13 079 Funding Number: PA 13 079 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Data (R01) Apply for PAR 13 080 Funding Number: PAR 13 080 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Bridging the Gap Between Cancer Mechanism and Population Science (U01) Apply for PAR 13 081 Funding Number: PAR 13 081 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDA Research Education Program for Clinical Researchers and Clinicians (R25) Apply for PAR 13 084 Funding Number: PAR 13 084 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| National Cooperative Drug Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) for the Treatment of Mental Disorders, Drug or Alcohol Addiction (U19) Apply for PAR 13 086 Funding Number: PAR 13 086 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Cooperative Drug Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) for the Treatment of Mental Disorders, Drug or Alcohol Addiction (UM1) Apply for PAR 13 087 Funding Number: PAR 13 087 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Planning for a National Center for Particle Beam Radiation Therapy Research (P20) Apply for PAR 13 096 Funding Number: PAR 13 096 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NCI Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network with Phase 1 Emphasis (ET CTN) (UM1) Apply for RFA CA 13 006 Funding Number: RFA CA 13 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| The Influence of the Microbiome on Preterm Labor and Delivery (R01) Apply for RFA NR 13 002 Funding Number: RFA NR 13 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| The Influence of the Microbiome on Preterm Labor and Delivery (R21) Apply for RFA NR 13 003 Funding Number: RFA NR 13 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Collaborative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) (UM1) Apply for RFA CA 13 007 Funding Number: RFA CA 13 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
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