Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 047
Apply for PAR 23 047
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-11-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-07. (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 $275,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (PAR 23-047) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity that supports early-stage, high-impact research aimed at building improved human cell-derived microphysiological systems (MPS) for the nervous system. The central focus is on engineering next-generation in vitro platforms and accompanying assays that can reproduce the architecture and physiological behavior of the human nervous system more realistically than what is commonly available today. The overall intent is to move beyond simplified neural cultures by creating systems that better capture the structural complexity and functional dynamics of nervous tissue, so that future studies can probe how the nervous system develops, operates, and changes with aging, both in healthy conditions and in disease.
Projects responding to this FOA are expected to concentrate on technology and model development rather than clinical testing. The goal is to deliver experimental MPS platforms that can serve as enabling tools for subsequent neuroscience research, including studies of development, function, degeneration, and age-related changes. Because these are microphysiological systems derived from human cells, a strong emphasis is placed on improving biological fidelity, meaning that the engineered system should more closely reflect real human nervous system features such as complex cellular organization, multicellular interactions, and physiologically relevant readouts. The FOA also encourages the creation or refinement of related assays that can quantify and validate function in these systems, which can include measurements aligned with nervous system physiology (for example, functional responses, connectivity behaviors, or other performance indicators suitable for MPS validation).
The mechanism is an R21, which is typically used by NIH to support exploratory and developmental research that may be higher risk but potentially transformative. Consistent with that purpose, applicants should frame proposals around proof-of-concept advances, new engineering approaches, novel MPS designs, or enabling assay strategies that could reshape what nervous system MPS can do in the near future. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement, so the work should remain preclinical and technology-focused, aimed at building and characterizing platforms rather than testing interventions in human participants.
Administrative details from the listing indicate the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, with the opportunity categorized as a grant in the health funding activity area. The listed CFDA numbers associated with the program include 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.866, and 93.867. The award ceiling shown is $275,000. The original closing date provided is 2026-01-07, and the opportunity was created on 2022-11-10.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and some non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility is meant to encourage participation across a range of research environments and institutional types, including organizations that serve groups historically underrepresented in biomedical research infrastructure.
In practical terms, a strong application will read as an engineering-and-biology integration effort: it should make clear what specific limitations exist in current nervous system MPS models, what design or assay innovations will address those limitations, and how the resulting platform will better emulate human nervous system architecture and physiology. It should also articulate how the tool being developed would enable later studies of nervous system development, function, and aging in both normal and disease contexts, even if those later studies are not themselves part of the R21 project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (PAR 23-047) opportunity?
This is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity that supports early-stage, high-impact research to build improved human cell-derived microphysiological systems (MPS) for the nervous system. The emphasis is on next-generation in vitro platforms and supporting assays that more realistically reproduce the architecture and physiological behavior of the human nervous system than commonly used models.
What is the main goal of this FOA?
The main goal is to move beyond simplified neural cultures by engineering nervous system MPS that better capture structural complexity and functional dynamics. These platforms are intended to serve as enabling tools for future research on how the nervous system develops, operates, changes with aging, and is affected in disease.
What kind of work is NIH looking to fund under this announcement?
Projects are expected to focus on technology and model development rather than clinical testing. The FOA targets proof-of-concept advances, new engineering approaches, novel MPS designs, and enabling assay strategies that improve biological fidelity and functional validation of human nervous system MPS.
Is this opportunity focused on clinical research or clinical testing?
No. The work should remain preclinical and technology-focused, aimed at building and characterizing platforms rather than testing interventions in human participants.
Are clinical trials allowed?
No. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement.
What does “microphysiological system (MPS)” mean in this context?
In this context, an MPS refers to an engineered in vitro platform derived from human cells that is designed to reproduce key aspects of human nervous system tissue organization and physiology, including multicellular interactions and functional readouts suitable for validation.
What does the FOA mean by improving “biological fidelity”?
Improving biological fidelity means engineering systems that more closely reflect real human nervous system features. Examples described in the opportunity include complex cellular organization, multicellular interactions, and physiologically relevant measurements that help validate that the system behaves like nervous tissue.
What types of assays or measurements does the FOA encourage?
The FOA encourages the creation or refinement of assays that can quantify and validate function in the engineered nervous system MPS. The examples provided include measurements aligned with nervous system physiology, such as functional responses, connectivity behaviors, or other performance indicators appropriate for MPS validation.
What is the grant mechanism for this opportunity?
The mechanism is an NIH R21, which is typically used to support exploratory and developmental research that may be higher risk but potentially transformative.
What kind of project framing fits an R21 for this FOA?
Applications should be framed around proof-of-concept advances, novel engineering approaches, new MPS designs, or enabling assay strategies that could significantly expand what nervous system MPS platforms can do in the near future.
What is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
How is this opportunity categorized in the listing?
It is categorized as a grant opportunity within the health funding activity area.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this program listing?
The listing associates this opportunity with CFDA numbers 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.866, and 93.867.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) shown?
The award ceiling shown is $275,000.
When is the application due (closing date) according to the listing?
The original closing date provided is 2026-01-07.
When was this opportunity created according to the listing?
The opportunity was created on 2022-11-10.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include many types of U.S. organizations and some non-U.S. entities, including:
- State, county, and city or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations)
Does the FOA specifically encourage applications from institutions serving underrepresented groups?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, and other categories. The stated intent is to encourage participation across a range of research environments and institutional types, including organizations that serve groups historically underrepresented in biomedical research infrastructure.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among eligible applicant categories.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
What is the expected emphasis: building tools or running downstream neuroscience studies?
The expected emphasis is on building and characterizing experimental MPS platforms and assays as enabling tools. The FOA notes that the resulting platforms should enable later studies of nervous system development, function, degeneration, and aging, even if those later studies are not part of the R21 project itself.
What kinds of nervous system questions should the tools ultimately help address?
The intent is that these tools can support future studies probing how the nervous system develops, operates, and changes with aging, in both healthy conditions and disease. The R21 project itself should focus on the engineering and validation needed to make those future studies possible.
What makes an application competitive based on the description provided?
Based on the description, a strong application should clearly explain: (1) what limitations exist in current nervous system MPS models, (2) what design or assay innovations will address those limitations, and (3) how the resulting platform will better emulate human nervous system architecture and physiology. It should also articulate how the tool would enable later studies of development, function, and aging in normal and disease contexts.
What is the central technical theme across proposed projects?
The central theme is engineering next-generation human cell-derived nervous system MPS platforms and the accompanying assays needed to validate structure and function in ways that better reflect real human nervous system biology.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Advanced Development and Validation of Emerging Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Basic/Translational Research on Health Disparities in Underrepresented People Living with HIV (PLWH) and Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
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 23 047
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 23 047) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Pathway to Independence Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 22 025 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA OD 22 024 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pathway to Independence Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required ) Apply for RFA OD 22 026 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 22 023 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limpopo Province Orphans and Vulnerable Children Activity Apply for RFI 674 23 LIMPOPO Funding Number: RFI 674 23 LIMPOPO Agency: South Africa USAID-Pretoria Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Free State Province Orphans and Vulnerable Children Activity Apply for RFI 674 23 FREESTATE Funding Number: RFI 674 23 FREESTATE Agency: South Africa USAID-Pretoria Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| North West Province Orphans and Vulnerable Children Activity Apply for RFI 674 23 NORTHWEST Funding Number: RFI 674 23 NORTHWEST Agency: South Africa USAID-Pretoria Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Centers on Human Immunology (U19 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 22 069 Funding Number: RFA AI 22 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Trailblazer Award for New and Early Stage Investigators (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 022 Funding Number: PAR 24 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Ancillary Studies to Ongoing Clinical Projects (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 025 Funding Number: PAR 23 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ancillary Studies to Ongoing Clinical Projects (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 026 Funding Number: PAR 23 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (LEAD MSTP)(T32) Apply for PAR 23 030 Funding Number: PAR 23 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| International Centers of Excellence for Malaria Research (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 22 067 Funding Number: RFA AI 22 067 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Advanced-Stage Development and Utilization of Research Infrastructure for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 054 Funding Number: PAR 23 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Research Infrastructure Development for Interdisciplinary Aging Studies (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 053 Funding Number: PAR 23 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Mozambique Local Tuberculosis Response II Apply for 72065623 RFI TBCONTROL Funding Number: 72065623 RFI TBCONTROL Agency: Mozambique USAID-Maputo Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Social Drivers of Mental Illnesses in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Mechanisms and Pathways of Interventions for Youth (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 23 310 Funding Number: RFA MH 23 310 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Mozambique Local Tuberculosis Response II Apply for 720656 RFI TBCONTROL Funding Number: 720656 RFI TBCONTROL Agency: Mozambique USAID-Maputo Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pragmatic Trials across the Cancer Control Continuum (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 22 256 Funding Number: PAR 22 256 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAID Resource-Related Research Projects (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 065 Funding Number: PAR 23 065 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health 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 23 047", 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.