Neurobiology of Migraine (R21) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Neurobiology of Migraine (R21) - PA 07-306

What is the Neurobiology of Migraine (R21) funding opportunity?

The Neurobiology of Migraine (R21) opportunity (Program Announcement PA 07-306) is an NIH program announcement issued by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It supports exploratory, innovative research intended to expand understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that drive migraine.

Which NIH institute is sponsoring this program announcement?

This program announcement is issued by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the main goal of PA 07-306?

The central aim is to encourage exploratory and innovative projects that broaden what is known about the neurobiological mechanisms underlying migraine, with an emphasis on generating clearer mechanistic explanations for how migraines start, how they progress, and why they vary across individuals and circumstances.

What types of research topics are emphasized in this FOA?

The announcement is especially focused on research that examines biological events across different phases of migraine, including what may occur before, during, and after an attack. It also explicitly invites studies on how neuromodulators (such as sex hormones) and genetic factors influence migraine pathophysiology.

Does the FOA encourage studies across different phases of a migraine attack?

Yes. The announcement highlights interest in understanding events occurring across migraine phases (for example, biological changes before, during, and after an attack).

Are sex hormones and other neuromodulators within the scope of this opportunity?

Yes. The FOA explicitly invites studies examining how neuromodulators such as sex hormones influence migraine pathophysiology.

Are genetic factors within the scope of this opportunity?

Yes. The announcement explicitly invites studies exploring how genetic factors influence migraine pathophysiology.

What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?

This opportunity uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant mechanism (R21).

What is an R21 intended to support in this program?

In this context, the R21 mechanism is intended to support early-stage, high-impact ideas, pilot studies, or projects that test novel hypotheses where extensive preliminary data may not yet exist. The intent is developmental work that can open new directions or generate evidence that may later support a larger project.

Is there a related R01 opportunity with the same scientific scope?

Yes. PA 07-306 is described as running in parallel with another NIH announcement of the same scientific scope that uses the R01 mechanism (PA 07-305).

How does the R21 differ from the parallel R01 announcement?

Based on the information provided, the key difference is that the R01 is the more traditional, longer-term research project grant, while the R21 is oriented toward shorter, exploratory/developmental work intended to open new directions or generate evidence for a larger project.

Is there a fixed amount of funding or a guaranteed number of awards?

No. Funding is not described as a fixed pot with a guaranteed number of awards. Awards depend on available funds and on receiving enough strong applications that score well in peer review.

How are award size and project duration determined?

The FOA notes that because proposed projects can vary widely in scope, methods, and costs, both award size and project duration may vary from grant to grant. The total number of awards and total dollars depend on the volume, quality, duration, and budgets of applications submitted and recommended for funding.

What determines how many awards NIH will make under this FOA?

The number of awards and total dollars depend on available funds and on the quantity and quality of applications (including their duration and budgets) that are submitted and recommended for funding after peer review.

Is this considered a discretionary grant opportunity?

Yes. The announcement is categorized as a discretionary grant opportunity.

What CFDA program areas are associated with this opportunity?

The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA program areas. The CFDA numbers listed include 93.853 (Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders) and other related areas such as environmental health, oral diseases and disorders, and research related to deafness and communication disorders.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and other specified nonprofits), small businesses, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, along with other entities as allowed under the FOA details.

Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?

Yes. The opportunity states that foreign institutions are eligible to apply.

Does the FOA list a single deadline or multiple receipt dates?

The opportunity lists multiple receipt dates rather than a single deadline, meaning applications can be submitted on scheduled NIH receipt cycles referenced in the full announcement.

When was PA 07-306 posted?

The FOA was posted on January 18, 2007.

What is the archive date for this announcement?

The archive date listed for the program announcement is December 17, 2009.

Where can applicants find the official instructions and full details?

The full details and official instructions were made available through the NIH grants guide link associated with PA 07-306.

Who can applicants contact for help accessing or linking to the announcement?

For help accessing or linking to the announcement, the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact is provided in the opportunity information.