Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 13 003
Apply for RFA ES 13 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Novel Assays for Screening the Effects of Chemical Toxicants on Cell Differentiation (SBIR R43)" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 6, 2012 and posted on Nov 6, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 14, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $225,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity "Novel Assays for Screening the Effects of Chemical Toxicants on Cell Differentiation (SBIR R43)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-13-003) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I solicitation focused on building new laboratory assay platforms that can quickly and reliably test how chemical toxicants interfere with cell differentiation. The core scientific need behind the program is to improve modern toxicology by moving beyond slow, expensive animal studies and low-throughput cell tests toward assay systems that can screen many chemicals efficiently while still producing biologically meaningful results tied to developmental and tissue-specific outcomes.
At a practical level, NIH is looking for small business concerns to develop medium- to high-throughput assays that use pluripotent stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and that measure how toxicants affect the differentiation process and the quality or composition of the resulting differentiated cell populations. This means the assays should not just detect whether a chemical is broadly cytotoxic; they should be designed to capture changes in lineage commitment, differentiation trajectories, maturation state, and the types and proportions of cells produced after differentiation. The expectation is that these tools will help clarify mechanisms of chemically induced biological activity, provide stronger evidence for how a chemical perturbs normal biology during development or tissue formation, and generate data that is more relevant to predicting real-world (in vivo) effects.
A notable emphasis in the announcement is the potential value of incorporating genetic diversity. In other words, NIH signals interest in assays that can account for differences across genetic backgrounds, which is especially relevant for iPSC-based systems where panels of donor-derived lines can represent variability seen in human populations. Assays that can incorporate or compare multiple genetic backgrounds could help identify whether certain toxicant responses are consistent across individuals or whether susceptibility varies by genotype, which in turn can support more realistic risk assessment and more nuanced hazard characterization.
The intended impact of the funded work is largely translational and prioritization-driven: these assays are meant to generate actionable screening data that can be used to rank or prioritize large numbers of chemicals for deeper toxicological testing, improve predictive models of biological response, and strengthen the link between in vitro findings and expected in vivo outcomes. By producing mechanistically informative readouts tied specifically to differentiation and resulting cell types, the program aims to support a new generation of predictive toxicology tools that are faster, scalable, and potentially more human-relevant than traditional approaches.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program under the environmental health activity area (CFDA 93.113). Eligible applicants are small businesses only, consistent with SBIR requirements. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching. The FOA was posted on November 6, 2012, with an original and current closing date of February 14, 2013, and an archive date of March 17, 2013, indicating it is no longer open for applications. The estimated total funding associated with the announcement is $2.5 million, and the award ceiling listed is $225,000, aligning with a typical SBIR Phase I budget scale.
For those seeking the full official details, the announcement was hosted by NIH and linked through the NIH Grants Guide (RFA-ES-13-003). The provided contact route for access or technical issues is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Novel Assays for Screening the Effects of Chemical Toxicants on Cell Differentiation (SBIR R43)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-ES-13-003.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity.
What type of funding mechanism is this?
It is a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I solicitation (R43).
What is the main goal of the program?
The program aims to support development of new laboratory assay platforms that can quickly and reliably test how chemical toxicants interfere with cell differentiation.
What scientific need is this program trying to address?
The program is intended to advance modern toxicology by moving beyond slow, expensive animal studies and low-throughput cell tests toward assay systems that can screen many chemicals efficiently while still producing biologically meaningful results tied to developmental and tissue-specific outcomes.
What kinds of assays is NIH seeking to fund?
NIH is looking for medium- to high-throughput assays that use pluripotent stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to measure how toxicants affect differentiation processes and the quality or composition of the differentiated cell populations that result.
Do the assays need to go beyond general cytotoxicity?
Yes. The assays are expected to do more than detect broad cytotoxicity. They should capture effects on lineage commitment, differentiation trajectories, maturation state, and the types and proportions of cells produced after differentiation.
What specific biological readouts does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA emphasizes readouts that are mechanistically informative and specifically tied to differentiation and resulting cell types, including changes in lineage choices, progression along differentiation pathways, maturation status, and shifts in the composition of cell populations.
Why is cell differentiation a focus for toxicant screening in this program?
The program is focused on differentiation because disruptions in differentiation can be linked to developmental and tissue-specific outcomes, helping produce data that is more relevant to predicting expected in vivo effects than simpler in vitro endpoints.
Is incorporating genetic diversity encouraged?
Yes. A notable emphasis is the potential value of incorporating genetic diversity, particularly in iPSC-based systems where donor-derived lines can represent variability seen in human populations.
How might genetic diversity be reflected in the assay approach?
Based on the announcement’s emphasis, assays could incorporate or compare multiple genetic backgrounds to determine whether toxicant responses are consistent across individuals or vary by genotype.
What is the intended impact of the funded work?
The intended impact is translational and prioritization-driven: generating actionable screening data to rank or prioritize large numbers of chemicals for deeper testing, improve predictive models of biological response, and strengthen the link between in vitro findings and expected in vivo outcomes.
What is the activity area and CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is in the environmental health activity area and is associated with CFDA 93.113.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are small business concerns only, consistent with SBIR requirements.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching.
What is the estimated total funding for this announcement?
The estimated total funding associated with the announcement is $2.5 million.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $225,000, which aligns with a typical SBIR Phase I budget scale.
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted on November 6, 2012.
What were the closing date and archive date?
The original and current closing date was February 14, 2013, and the archive date was March 17, 2013.
Is this opportunity still accepting applications?
No. Because the closing date and archive date have passed, the opportunity is no longer open for applications.
Where can someone find the full official announcement details?
The announcement was hosted by NIH and linked through the NIH Grants Guide under RFA-ES-13-003.
Who should be contacted for access or technical issues related to the announcement?
The provided contact route for access or technical issues is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) Core Centers (P30) Apply for RFA ES 13 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Land Use Change and Disease Emergence Apply for RFI 486 13 00002 Funding Number: RFI 486 13 00002 Agency: Thailand USAID Bangkok Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanism for Time Sensitive Research Opportunities in Environmental Health Sciences (R21) Apply for PAR 13 136 Funding Number: PAR 13 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Twin Cities Clean Cities Initiative in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS) NOI Not a Request for Proposals Apply for P13AP00046 Funding Number: P13AP00046 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $128,000 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for F13AS00238 Funding Number: F13AS00238 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Research Linking Environmental Exposure to Alzheimers Disease (R01) Apply for RFA ES 13 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Research Linking Environmental Exposure to Neurodegenerative Disease (R21) Apply for RFA ES 13 007 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Novel Methods for Obtaining Molecular Information from Archived Tissue Samples (SBIR R43/R44) Apply for RFA ES 13 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Role of Environmental Exposures in the Development of Autoimmune Disease (R21) Apply for RFA ES 13 011 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Validation and Demonstration of Devices for Environmental Exposure Assessment (R21/R33) Apply for RFA ES 13 013 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award (R01) Apply for RFA ES 13 014 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (EHS CC) (P30) Apply for RFA ES 13 012 Funding Number: RFA ES 13 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| NIH Revision Awards for Creating Virtual Consortium for Translational/Transdisciplinary Environmental Research (ViCTER)(R01) Apply for PAR 14 050 Funding Number: PAR 14 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Developing Mercury Inventories for Artisanal and Small scale Gold Mining Sectors in Southeast Asia Apply for OES OMM 14 001 Funding Number: OES OMM 14 001 Agency: Ocean and International Environmental Scientific Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Novel Technologies for Rapid and Sensitive Biomonitoring in Humans (R43/R44) Apply for RFA ES 14 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44) Apply for RFA ES 14 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Undergraduate Research Education Program (UP) to Enhance Diversity in the Environmental Health Sciences (R25) Apply for RFA ES 14 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Innovative Approaches for the Identification of Mitochondria Cell Signaling Networks in Response to Environmental Stress Apply for RFA ES 14 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Hazmat Training at DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex (UH4) Apply for RFA ES 14 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training (U45) Apply for RFA ES 14 008 Funding Number: RFA ES 14 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
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