CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Translational Exploratory/Developmental Research Projects (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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Description

This funding opportunity supports translational exploratory and developmental research projects that directly advance the discovery of novel treatment strategies—medical countermeasures (MCMs)—to address serious morbidity and mortality following acute exposure to highly toxic chemical threats. These threats include chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, pesticides, and ultra-potent synthetic opioids, which may be used in terrorist attacks or accidentally released.

The program is part of the NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) initiative, aiming to generate preliminary data that will facilitate the development of competitive applications for more extensive support. Projects may involve the discovery and validation of new molecular entities or biologics, repurposing of FDA-approved products, or combination interventions based on established mechanisms of action.

Only translational research directly related to the preclinical development of novel treatment strategies for acute chemical exposures is supported. Basic mechanistic studies, environmental decontamination, and analytical detection technology development are not eligible.

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Due Dates

• Letter of Intent: April 30, 2025 (30 days prior to application due date)
• Full Application: May 30, 2025 (by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization)
• Renewal/Resubmission/Revision: May 30, 2025

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Funding Amount

• Total Direct Costs: Up to $275,000 over a 2-year project period
• Annual Limit: No more than $200,000 in any single year
• Project Duration: Maximum of 2 years
• Cost Sharing: Not required

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Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
• For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
• State, county, city, township, and special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other)
• Faith-based and community-based organizations
• Regional organizations
• U.S. territories and possessions
• Certain designated minority-serving institutions (e.g., HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, AANAPISIs, TCCUs)

Note: Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined by NIH, may be included.

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Application Process

• Submission Platforms: NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional system-to-system solutions.
• Required Registrations: SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov (can take 6+ weeks; start early).
• Letter of Intent: Strongly encouraged but not required; should include project title, PI(s), key personnel, institutions, and funding opportunity number/title.
• Biosafety Documentation: All applications must include a letter from institutional biosafety officials confirming safety for personnel and environment. Special certifications may be required for restricted chemical agents.
• Intellectual Property: Applicants are encouraged to include a 1-page IP strategy, especially if using pre-identified candidate MCMs.
• Budget: Should include travel for the PI to attend the Annual CounterACT Network Research Symposium.
• Research Plan: Must address significance, investigator expertise, innovation, approach (including mass casualty relevance), and environment (safety measures for toxic chemicals).
• Resource Sharing and Data Management: All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan.

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Additional Information

• Scope: Only projects focused on preclinical development of MCMs for acute (not chronic) chemical exposures are eligible.
• Chemicals of Concern: Projects must target chemicals identified by the Department of Homeland Security as high-consequence public health threats (e.g., blood agents, cholinergic agents, convulsants, pulmonary agents, ultra-potent synthetic opioids, vesicants).
• Non-Responsive Applications: Proposals focused on basic mechanistic studies, environmental decontamination, analytical detection, or chronic exposure effects will not be reviewed.
• Biosafety: Research involving highly toxic chemicals requires appropriate institutional and, if applicable, Department of Defense certifications.
• Review Criteria: Emphasis on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, investigator expertise, and biosafety.

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External Links

• NIH Funder Home Page
• Full Funding Opportunity Announcement (PAR-25-114)
• Grants.gov Opportunity Listing
• NIH CounterACT Program
• NIH How to Apply – Application Guide

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Contact Information

For additional contacts (peer review, grants management), see the full announcement.

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