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NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)

National Institutes of Health · Opportunity number PA-25-306

View the official notice on Grants.gov
448 days left (deadline Jan 7, 2028)

Details summarized from the official notice as of Oct 16, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.

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Key facts

Opportunity numberPA-25-306
AgencyNational Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA)93.213, 93.393, 93.855, 93.840, 93.273, 93.846, 93.286, 93.399, 93.279, 93.113, 93.172, 93.307, 93.838, 93.233, 93.839, 93.866, 93.143, 93.173, 93.837, 93.395, 93.865, 93.394, 93.879, 93.242, 93.396, 93.361, 93.867
PostedDec 18, 2024
DeadlineJan 7, 2028
Cost sharing or matching requiredNo
Funding typeGrant
CategoryHealth
Last updated hereOct 16, 2026

Summary from the notice

The NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant supports exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. 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. This Parent Notice of Funding Opportunity requires that at least 1 clinical trial be proposed. The proposed project must be related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on their scientific missions.Applicants should note that some ICs (see Related Notices) only accept applications proposing mechanistic studies that meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial through this funding opportunity announcement.

Who can apply

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:

  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • State governments
  • Special district governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Private colleges and universities
  • Public and Indian housing authorities
  • Small businesses
  • Public and state colleges and universities
  • Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
  • City or township governments
  • Federally recognized tribal governments
  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • For-profit organizations other than small businesses
  • County governments
  • Other Native American tribal organizations

Who should take a closer look

  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofits
  • Colleges and universities
  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Tribal governments and organizations
  • Larger for-profit companies

Not listed as eligible

  • Individuals

Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.

Eligibility details from the notice

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); 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.

Registrations you will likely need

Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.

Past awards for this program

Totals for assistance listing 93.213, 93.393, 93.855, 93.840, 93.273, 93.846, 93.286, 93.399, 93.279, 93.113, 93.172, 93.307, 93.838, 93.233, 93.839, 93.866, 93.143, 93.173, 93.837, 93.395, 93.865, 93.394, 93.879, 93.242, 93.396, 93.361, 93.867 from public USASpending.gov data, as of Mar 26, 2026. Past awards do not predict future funding.

YearListingAwardsTotalAverage
2026 93.855 1 $1,062,954,652 $1,062,954,652

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