Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 09 164
Apply for PA 09 164
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent 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 93.172 Human Genome Research 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders 93.209 Contraception and Infertility Research Loan Repayment Program 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health 93.361 Nursing Research 93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research 93.846 Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.855 Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research 93.856 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.866 Aging Research 93.867 Vision Research 93.879 Medical Library Assistance.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 24, 2009 and posted on Apr 16, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 7, 2010. (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: Small businesses Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Special district governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities For profit organizations other than small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) City or township governments Independent school districts Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) State governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education County governments Private institutions of higher education 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.
- 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 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21) is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity designed to support early-stage, high-potential research ideas in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical science. Its core purpose is to help investigators launch exploratory or developmental projects that are still in the conceptual or proof-of-principle phase, where the approach may be untested, the preliminary data may be limited, and the overall direction is innovative but not yet fully established. The program explicitly recognizes that these projects can be higher risk than more mature studies, but it funds them because they may produce outsized returns, such as a major breakthrough in a research area or the creation of new tools and capabilities that move a field forward.
The mechanism used for this opportunity is the NIH R21, which is intended for exploratory and developmental work rather than large, fully built-out research programs. Typical outcomes NIH hopes to see from R21-supported projects include novel techniques, research agents, methodologies, models, and practical applications that can later be expanded through more substantial funding mechanisms. Applications are investigator-initiated, and proposals submitted under this parent announcement are routed to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center using standard Public Health Service referral guidelines. Because each participating Institute or Center may have specific scientific priorities, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the list of participating components and their stated research interests and align proposals accordingly, using the NIH R21 program information and the related contact listings referenced in the announcement.
Funding levels and the number of awards are not fixed in advance. Instead, NIH indicates that total dollars awarded and award counts will vary based on factors such as the number of applications received, scientific merit and overall quality, proposed project duration, and requested budgets. The source data lists an award ceiling of $200,000, signaling an upper bound on award size for this opportunity as represented in the posting. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching, which generally lowers barriers for applicants who may not have institutional funds available to supplement the project.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education as well), for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and a wide range of government entities such as state, county, city/township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities. The eligibility list also explicitly includes federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, as well as institutions and organizations serving specific communities, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Additional eligible categories include faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and foreign organizations (non-U.S. entities), reflecting NIHs intent to keep the parent R21 mechanism widely accessible across sectors and geographies where appropriate.
From a topical standpoint, the listing ties the program to multiple CFDA program areas spanning major NIH research domains, including environmental health, oral health, human genome research, deafness and communication disorders, mental health, alcohol and substance use, nursing research, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and musculoskeletal/skin diseases, neurosciences and neurological disorders, allergy/immunology/transplantation, microbiology and infectious diseases, child health and human development, aging, vision research, and medical library assistance. In practice, this breadth signals that the parent R21 is meant to serve as a general entry point for exploratory projects across many scientific areas, with final assignment and program fit determined by NIH referral and Institute/Center priorities.
Administrative details in the posting identify the opportunity number as PA 09 164, with NIH as the sponsoring agency. The opportunity was originally posted April 16, 2009, with source records indicating an original closing date of May 7, 2012, a current closing date shown as January 7, 2010, and an archive date of February 7, 2010, reflecting that the specific posting snapshot provided is historical and has been archived. Applicants seeking the full announcement were directed to the NIH grants website, and the contact information provided is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email for technical access or linking issues.
NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21) - FAQs
What is the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21)?
The NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21) is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity that supports early-stage, high-potential research ideas in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical science. It is designed for exploratory or developmental projects that are still conceptual or at a proof-of-principle stage.
What kind of projects is the R21 mechanism meant to support?
The R21 mechanism is intended for exploratory and developmental research rather than large, fully developed research programs. It is suited for innovative directions where the approach may be untested and preliminary data may be limited.
Does the Parent R21 specifically support high-risk research?
Yes. The program explicitly recognizes that projects at the exploratory or developmental stage may be higher risk than more mature studies, but supports them because they may generate outsized returns such as major breakthroughs or new tools and capabilities that advance a field.
What outcomes does NIH typically hope to see from R21-funded projects?
NIH typically looks for outcomes such as novel techniques, research agents, methodologies, models, and practical applications that can later be expanded through more substantial funding mechanisms.
Are applications under this opportunity investigator-initiated?
Yes. Applications are investigator-initiated, meaning investigators propose ideas rather than responding to a narrowly defined research topic within this parent announcement framework.
How does NIH decide which Institute or Center will review or manage a Parent R21 application?
Proposals submitted under the parent announcement are routed to the appropriate NIH Institute or Center using standard Public Health Service referral guidelines. Final assignment depends on NIH referral practices and the priorities of participating Institutes and Centers.
Should applicants align their proposal with a specific NIH Institute or Center?
Yes. Because each participating Institute or Center may have specific scientific priorities, applicants are strongly encouraged to review participating components and their stated research interests and align proposals accordingly, using NIH R21 program information and related contact listings referenced in the announcement.
Is there a fixed number of awards available?
No. The total number of awards is not fixed in advance and will vary based on factors such as the number of applications received, scientific merit and overall quality, proposed project duration, and requested budgets.
Is the total amount of funding predetermined?
No. NIH indicates that total dollars awarded will vary based on application volume and quality, scientific merit, proposed duration, and requested budgets.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The source data lists an award ceiling of $200,000, indicating an upper bound on award size as represented in the posting.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education as well); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); small businesses; and a wide range of government entities.
Are government entities eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible government entities include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations.
Are organizations serving specific communities included in the eligibility list?
Yes. The eligibility list includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and other organizations serving specific communities.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are included among eligible applicant categories.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included in the eligibility categories listed.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. Foreign organizations (non-U.S. entities) are listed as eligible, indicating NIH intends the parent R21 mechanism to be widely accessible across geographies where appropriate.
What research areas does the Parent R21 cover?
The listing ties the program to multiple CFDA program areas spanning major NIH research domains, including environmental health; oral health; human genome research; deafness and communication disorders; mental health; alcohol and substance use; nursing research; cardiovascular disease; arthritis and musculoskeletal/skin diseases; neurosciences and neurological disorders; allergy, immunology, and transplantation; microbiology and infectious diseases; child health and human development; aging; vision research; and medical library assistance.
Does this breadth mean the Parent R21 is a general entry point for exploratory projects?
Yes. The breadth signals the parent R21 is meant to serve as a general entry point for exploratory projects across many scientific areas, with assignment and program fit determined by NIH referral and Institute/Center priorities.
What is the opportunity number for this posting?
The administrative details identify the opportunity number as PA 09 164.
Which agency sponsors this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
When was this opportunity originally posted?
The posting indicates the opportunity was originally posted on April 16, 2009.
What dates are shown for closing and archiving in the posting snapshot?
The source records indicate an original closing date of May 7, 2012, a current closing date shown as January 7, 2010, and an archive date of February 7, 2010, reflecting that the specific snapshot provided is historical and has been archived.
Is this a current or archived opportunity based on the information provided?
Based on the archive date shown (February 7, 2010) and the note that the snapshot is historical, the specific posting snapshot provided is archived.
Where were applicants directed to find the full announcement?
Applicants seeking the full announcement were directed to the NIH grants website.
Who is listed as the contact for technical access or linking issues?
The contact information provided is for the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster email, intended for technical access or linking issues.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 09 164) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (F33) Apply for PA 09 211 Funding Number: PA 09 211 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Human Connectome Project (U54) Apply for RFA MH 10 020 Funding Number: RFA MH 10 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative (STTR R41/R42 Apply for PA 09 266 Funding Number: PA 09 266 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG)(R01) Apply for PA 10 009 Funding Number: PA 10 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) R21 Apply for PA 10 010 Funding Number: PA 10 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) Apply for PA 10 036 Funding Number: PA 10 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Short Term Institutional Research Training Grants (T35) Apply for PA 10 037 Funding Number: PA 10 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (R25) Apply for RFA MH 10 070 Funding Number: RFA MH 10 070 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02) Apply for PA 10 057 Funding Number: PA 10 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Exploratory Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21) Apply for PA 10 069 Funding Number: PA 10 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards (NRSA) for Individual Senior Fellows (Parent F33) Apply for PA 10 111 Funding Number: PA 10 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R03) Apply for PAR 10 134 Funding Number: PAR 10 134 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R21) Apply for PAR 10 135 Funding Number: PAR 10 135 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Behavioral and Social Science Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities (R21) Apply for PAR 10 137 Funding Number: PAR 10 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Innovative Neuroscience K 12 Education (SBIR R43/R44) Apply for PAR 10 154 Funding Number: PAR 10 154 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 10 158 Funding Number: PA 10 158 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research On Autism And Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03) Apply for PA 10 159 Funding Number: PA 10 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 10 160 Funding Number: PA 10 160 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| International Neuroscience Fellowship (F05) Apply for PAR 10 167 Funding Number: PAR 10 167 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Grand Challenge Developing Novel Drugs for Disorders of the Nervous System (U01) Apply for RFA NS 11 002 Funding Number: RFA NS 11 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Environment Health Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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