NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding Agency:
- National Institutes of Health
Companion Funding Opportunity
PA-25-306 , R21 Exploratory/Developmental Grants
PA-25-307 , R21 Exploratory/Developmental Grants
The evolution and vitality of the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences require a constant infusion of new ideas, techniques, and points of view. These may differ substantially from current thinking or practice and may not yet be supported by substantial preliminary data. Through the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program, the NIH seeks to foster the introduction of novel scientific ideas, model systems, tools, agents, targets, and technologies that have the potential to substantially advance biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research.
This program is intended to encourage new exploratory and developmental research projects. For example, such projects could assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system that has the potential to enhance health-related research. Another example could include the unique and innovative use of an existing methodology to explore a new scientific area. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research.
Applications for Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant awards should include projects distinct from those supported through the traditional R01 activity code. For example, long-term projects, or projects designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area, are not appropriate for this NOFO. Applications submitted to this NOFO should be exploratory and novel. These studies should break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications. Projects of limited cost or scope that use widely accepted approaches and methods within well-established fields are better suited for the NIH Small Research Grant Program.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity does not accept applications proposing clinical trial(s)
Applications are assigned to participating Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on receipt and referral guidelines and applications may be assigned to multiple participating ICs with related research interests. Applicants are encouraged to identify a participating IC that supports their area of research via the R21 IC-Specific Scientific Interests and Contact website and contact Scientific/Research staff from relevant ICs to inquire about their interest in supporting the proposed research project.
The combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period may not exceed $275,000. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.
February 16, 2025; June 16, 2025
Participating NIH Institutes and Centers are listed in Components of Participating Organizations in Part 1. Overview. Scientific/Research Contact information is listed on the R21 IC-Specific Scientific Interests and Contact website.