NICHD Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 482

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 482

The NICHD Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional), opportunity number PA 18 482, is a discretionary grant program run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). It is designed to fund exploratory and early-stage research that fits within the NICHD mission areas, using the R21 mechanism, which is commonly used when investigators are testing promising but still-forming ideas that may not yet have extensive preliminary data. The program explicitly targets projects at the conceptual and developmental stage, where the goal is to open new directions rather than to deliver a fully mature, large-scale study.

A defining feature of this opportunity is its emphasis on high-risk, high-reward work. NICHD signals that it is willing to support studies that involve considerable scientific risk because the potential upside is significant: a breakthrough in a specific area, or the creation of new tools and approaches that can change how a field operates. Examples of the kinds of outputs NICHD highlights include novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications, with relevance across biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. In other words, the program is not limited to one narrow research style; it is meant to be flexible enough to support innovative ideas across the spectrum of NICHD-relevant science, including work that could later grow into larger NIH projects if the early results are promising.

The funding announcement specifies that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose a project that includes a clinical trial, but they are not required to do so. This flexibility allows both basic or preclinical exploratory work and early-stage clinical or human-focused research, as long as it aligns with NICHD priorities and is appropriate for an R21 scope. The funding activity category is listed as Health, Income Security and Social Services, and the associated CFDA number is 93.865, which corresponds to NICHD programs.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants, such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. It also includes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Both nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) are eligible, as are for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. The announcement also calls out additional eligible applicant categories, reflecting an effort to include a wide range of institutions and communities: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), 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, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Practically, this means NICHD is open to proposals from many organizational settings, including community-rooted groups and international institutions, provided they meet NIH requirements and the project is well-justified.

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $200,000, indicating the maximum award amount referenced in the source data. The original closing date shown is 2021-01-07, and the opportunity record notes a creation date of 2017-12-06. Even though those dates suggest the specific posting is from an earlier cycle, the core purpose of the program is clear from the description: to give investigators and organizations a way to pursue bold, early-stage ideas within NICHD’s scientific mission, especially projects that could generate foundational evidence, prove feasibility, or produce innovative methods and platforms that can later support larger and more definitive research efforts.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NICHD Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (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 $200,000.00 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.

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