OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPA-25-304

NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Jan 7, 2028(451 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH grant for early-stage, high-risk biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research projects; clinical trials are not allowed. It fits research-driven organizations, including small businesses doing health-related R&D. Retail, finance, housing, and other businesses with no research component should not bother applying.

Best for
Biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research teams, Small businesses doing health-related R&D, Universities and research nonprofits, Early-stage, high-risk research projects
Not for
Businesses outside biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research, Projects involving clinical trials, Retail, finance, or housing businesses
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (medical, biomedical, clinical)
93
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (tech)
78
Strong Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, R&D
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is January 7, 2028.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofits, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, and certain other entities such as faith-based and foreign organizations.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Eligibility covers small businesses and for-profit organizations generally, but the notice does not specifically address sole proprietors or single-member LLCs.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are eligible, as are faith-based and community-based organizations.

Summary

NIH exploratory/developmental (R21) grants fund early-stage, high-risk biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research projects (no clinical trials). Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofits, universities, state/local/tribal governments, and certain other entities such as faith-based and foreign organizations.

About this grant

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.

Who can apply

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.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Research

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

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