CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding for projects researching chemical threats affecting the nervous system, aiming to understand toxicity mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: September 17, 2025 (Letter of Intent) | October 17, 2025 (Application) | September 16, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | October 16, 2026 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 direct costs per year, for up to 3 years; NIH anticipates up to 4 awards in FY 2026.
Summary: Supports basic research on chemical threats with primary or secondary effects on the nervous system, aiming to elucidate mechanisms of toxicity and identify new therapeutic targets.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; research must focus on acute (not chronic) exposures and address chemicals designated as Chemicals of Concern (CoC) with neurological effects.
Description
This funding opportunity supports basic research projects investigating the mechanisms of toxicity of chemical threats—such as chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and pesticides—that have primary or secondary effects on the nervous system. The goal is to generate new knowledge about how these agents cause neurological damage and to identify potential targets for the development of medical countermeasures. The program is part of the NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) initiative, with a focus on acute exposures relevant to civilian mass exposure scenarios.
Research should address immediate and/or long-term neurological effects following a single acute toxic exposure event. Projects may include mechanistic studies, model development, and identification of biomarkers or therapeutic targets, but may not include efficacy studies or clinical trials.
