Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 09 219
Apply for PAR 09 219
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113 Environmental Health 93.121 Oral Diseases and Disorders Research 93.233 National Center on Sleep Disorders Research 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health 93.393 Cancer Cause and Prevention Research 93.394 Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research 93.395 Cancer Treatment Research 93.396 Cancer Biology Research 93.397 Cancer Centers Support Grants 93.398 Cancer Research Manpower 93.399 Cancer Control 93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research 93.838 Lung Diseases Research 93.839 Blood Diseases and Resources Research 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training 93.879 Medical Library Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 27, 2012 and posted on Aug 17, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 7, 2013. (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: Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education State governments For profit organizations other than small businesses County governments Small businesses Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) City or township governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Independent school districts Special district governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The NIH funding opportunity PAR 09 219, titled "Exploratory Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R21)," supports early stage, exploratory projects that push forward biomedical informatics and computational biology in ways that could accelerate progress across many areas of biomedical research. The focus is on creating or significantly advancing computational approaches, tools, and technologies that help researchers manage, analyze, integrate, visualize, and model biomedical data. In practical terms, this can include work on database design, user-facing graphical interfaces, new querying and data retrieval methods, data visualization and manipulation techniques, and approaches for integrating diverse datasets through unified analytical tools. It also explicitly includes more mathematically and computationally intensive efforts such as developing computational models and simulations that are structural, functional, integrative, or otherwise analytically oriented, along with tools that enable electronic collaboration among researchers.
This announcement uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is designed for high-risk, high-impact ideas that are still at an exploratory stage and may not yet have extensive preliminary data. The expectation is that applicants propose innovative concepts in newer or less developed areas, rather than extensions of mature, well-established research lines. The FOA draws a clear boundary between what belongs in an R21 versus a traditional R01: projects that are long-term in scope, or that mainly aim to incrementally increase knowledge in an already established area, are not considered a good fit for this R21 program. In other words, the R21 here is meant to help investigators test bold ideas, build early proof-of-concept, and open up new directions in biomedical computational science rather than fund a full, multi-year mature research program.
The program is positioned as part of a broader set of parallel NIH opportunities with similar scientific scope but different mechanisms and applicant types. Alongside this R21 FOA, NIH also ran a companion R01 research announcement (PAR 09 218) aimed at more developed projects appropriate for the standard research project grant mechanism. In addition, there were parallel opportunities for commercialization-oriented applicants through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs (PAR 09 220 and PAR 09 221). This structure signals that NIH wanted to support innovation in biomedical computation across a spectrum, from exploratory academic research through more advanced efforts and small business development pathways.
In terms of funding, the award ceiling listed is $200,000, and awards are contingent on the availability of funds and the receipt of enough strong, meritorious applications. The FOA does not promise a specific number of awards, emphasizing that funding depends on both budget conditions and application quality. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which means applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds to be eligible.
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types: public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, special districts, and independent school districts), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status. The eligibility list also explicitly includes a range of mission-driven and historically underrepresented institution categories and communities, 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 tribal governments and organizations (including entities beyond federally recognized tribal governments). Foreign (non-U.S.) organizations and regional organizations are also listed as eligible, along with U.S. territories or possessions and eligible federal agencies. Faith-based and community-based organizations are included as well, reflecting NIH's intent to make the opportunity accessible across many sectors that can contribute to biomedical computational innovation.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant program administered by the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity was originally posted in August 2009, with later listed closing and archival dates indicating it operated over multiple submission cycles before being archived. For applicants and institutions that needed the official details, NIH provided an additional information link to the NIH Grants Guide listing, and contact support through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster for access or technical issues related to the announcement.
FAQs: NIH PAR 09-219 - Exploratory Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R21)
What is the NIH funding opportunity PAR 09-219?
PAR 09-219 is an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Exploratory Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R21)." It supports early-stage, exploratory projects intended to move biomedical informatics and computational biology forward in ways that can accelerate progress across many areas of biomedical research.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The purpose is to support innovative, exploratory work that creates or significantly advances computational approaches, tools, and technologies for biomedical research. The emphasis is on ideas that can open new directions, demonstrate early proof-of-concept, or test bold concepts rather than continuing an already mature research line.
What research areas or topics does PAR 09-219 focus on?
The FOA focuses on biomedical informatics and computational biology, particularly innovations that improve how biomedical data are managed, analyzed, integrated, visualized, and modeled.
What kinds of projects are considered a good fit?
Projects that fit well are exploratory innovations in biomedical computational science and technology, including (as described in the FOA) work such as:
- Database design related to biomedical data
- User-facing graphical interfaces
- New querying and data retrieval methods
- Data visualization and manipulation techniques
- Approaches for integrating diverse datasets using unified analytical tools
- Computational models and simulations (structural, functional, integrative, or otherwise analytically oriented)
- Tools that enable electronic collaboration among researchers
Does the FOA support computational modeling and simulation work?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes mathematically and computationally intensive efforts such as developing computational models and simulations that are structural, functional, integrative, or otherwise analytically oriented.
Does the FOA support tools for collaborative research?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes tools that enable electronic collaboration among researchers.
What funding mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism. The R21 is designed for high-risk, high-impact ideas at an exploratory stage and may not yet have extensive preliminary data.
What does NIH mean by "exploratory" in this R21 context?
Based on the FOA description, "exploratory" means the project is testing innovative concepts in newer or less developed areas, building early proof-of-concept, and opening up new directions in biomedical computational science, rather than delivering a full mature research program.
Are extensive preliminary data required to apply?
The FOA states that the R21 mechanism is intended for exploratory ideas that may not yet have extensive preliminary data.
What types of projects are not considered a good fit for this R21?
The FOA draws a boundary between R21 and R01-style work. Projects that are long-term in scope, or that mainly aim to incrementally increase knowledge in an already established area, are described as not being a good fit for this R21 program.
How is this R21 different from an R01 in this program area?
The FOA frames the R21 as supporting early-stage, high-risk/high-impact exploratory projects, while more developed projects appropriate for a standard research project grant were addressed through a companion R01 announcement (PAR 09-218).
Is there a related NIH R01 opportunity connected to this program?
Yes. NIH ran a companion R01 research announcement with similar scientific scope: PAR 09-218.
Are there related opportunities for small businesses or commercialization-oriented applicants?
Yes. NIH also offered parallel opportunities via the SBIR and STTR programs: PAR 09-220 (SBIR) and PAR 09-221 (STTR), aimed at commercialization-oriented applicants.
What is the maximum award amount under PAR 09-219?
The award ceiling listed in the FOA is $200,000.
Does NIH guarantee a certain number of awards?
No. The FOA does not promise a specific number of awards and notes that awards are contingent on the availability of funds and the receipt of sufficiently strong, meritorious applications.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who can apply for this grant (in general terms)?
Eligibility is described as broad. It includes, among others, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status.
Are nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes for-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profits.
Can state and local government entities apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes state and local governments, including counties, cities/townships, special districts, and independent school districts.
Are historically underrepresented or mission-driven institutions included in the eligibility list?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes 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 tribal governments and organizations (including entities beyond federally recognized tribal governments).
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes tribal governments and organizations, including entities beyond federally recognized tribal governments.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA lists foreign (non-U.S.) organizations as eligible, and it also lists regional organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes faith-based and community-based organizations.
Is this a discretionary grant program, and who administers it?
Yes. The FOA is described as a discretionary grant program administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
When was this opportunity originally posted?
The FOA was originally posted in August 2009.
Is this FOA still open?
The information provided notes later listed closing and archival dates and indicates the FOA operated over multiple submission cycles before being archived.
Where can applicants find official details or the NIH listing?
NIH provided an additional information link to the NIH Grants Guide listing for the official details.
Who do applicants contact for technical issues related to the announcement?
For access or technical issues related to the announcement, NIH provided contact support through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 09 219) also looked into and applied for these:
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| Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) Apply for RFA ES 09 012 Funding Number: RFA ES 09 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Limited Competition for the Global Research Initiative Program, Basic/Biomedical Sciences (R01) Apply for PAR 10 278 Funding Number: PAR 10 278 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Deepwater Horizon Disaster Research Consortia Health Impacts and Community Resiliency (U19) Apply for RFA ES 11 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 11 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Superfund Hazardous Substance Research and Training Program (P42) Apply for RFA ES 10 010 Funding Number: RFA ES 10 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Bioavailability Assays to Assess the Effectiveness of Contaminated Sediment Remediation (R01) Apply for RFA ES 11 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 11 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Limited Competition Fogarty International Research Collaboration Basic Biomedical (FIRCA BB) Research Award (R03) Apply for PAR 11 037 Funding Number: PAR 11 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (Parent F33) Apply for PA 11 114 Funding Number: PA 11 114 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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