OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-25-077

CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Oct 16, 2026(3 days left)Up to $300,000

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH basic research grant for studying how chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and pesticides damage the nervous system. It suits small biotech firms, universities, and nonprofits with real research capacity in toxicology or neuroscience. Retail, finance, logistics, and any business without a research program should not bother applying.

Best for
Small biotech or life-science businesses doing basic research on chemical threats to the nervous system, Universities and research institutions studying toxicity mechanisms, Nonprofits with scientific research programs
Not for
Businesses with no research capability in toxicology, neuroscience, or chemical threat science, Organizations looking for commercialization, clinical trial, or general business funding
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (clinical)
63
Good Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (stem)
59
Good Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Closes in 28 days
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingMatches your industry (production, industrial)
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Closes in 28 days
53
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Closes in 28 days
52
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Closes in 28 days
51
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Closes in 28 days
51
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Closes in 28 days
50
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Closes in 28 days
49
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Closes in 28 days
49
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Closes in 28 days
47
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Closes in 28 days
46
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Closes in 28 days
45
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Closes in 28 days
44
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
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)
Award range
Up to $300,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
October 16, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The largest award is $300,000, and the total program funding is $300,000 across roughly 4 expected awards.
Who can apply for this grant?
Small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), institutions of higher education, state, county, city, township, and special district governments, federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities, and independent school districts. Foreign organizations are not eligible.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Small businesses are listed as eligible, but the notice does not specify whether sole proprietors or single-member LLCs qualify as small businesses for this program.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Both nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible.

Summary

NIH CounterACT program funds basic research (R01) on chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and pesticides affecting the nervous system, to elucidate toxicity mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets. Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profits, nonprofits, universities, and state/local/tribal governments; clinical trials not allowed.

About this grant

This announcement invites applications for basic research projects on chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and pesticides that have primary or secondary effects on the nervous system. Chemical threats are toxic compounds that could be used in a terrorist attack or accidentally released from industrial production, storage, or shipping. Projects supported by this NOFO are expected to generate data that elucidate mechanisms of toxicity of these agents, possible new manifestations of toxic exposures, and potential new targets for therapeutic development.

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; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Defense

Program contact

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

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