OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPA-25-306

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

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

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH grant for early-stage biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research that must include at least one clinical trial. It fits research-driven organizations, especially in healthcare and biotech, that can handle a high-risk exploratory study. If your business has no research component or cannot run a clinical trial, do not bother applying.

Best for
Biotech and healthcare companies running early-stage clinical research, Universities and research hospitals, Nonprofits with a research mission, Small businesses doing biomedical R&D
Not for
Retail, finance, and other businesses with no research component, Organizations that cannot run or partner on a clinical trial, Late-stage projects needing product or commercialization funding
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (medical, biomedical, clinical)
94
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (tech)
79
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?
January 7, 2028.
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, nonprofits, small and other for-profit businesses, state/local/tribal governments, and some foreign entities can apply. The project must be an early-stage biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research study that includes at least one clinical trial and fits the mission of at least one participating NIH Institute or Center.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. The notice lists small businesses and for-profit organizations as eligible, but it does not address sole proprietors or single-member LLCs specifically, so you would need to check the full announcement or NIH staff.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, as long as the proposed project is an early-stage research study that includes at least one clinical trial.

Summary

NIH exploratory/developmental (R21) grants for early-stage biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research projects that include at least one clinical trial. Open to universities, nonprofits, small and other for-profit businesses, state/local/tribal governments, and some foreign entities.

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. 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

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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