NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
NIH's R21 grant funds early-stage, high-risk basic science studies with human participants to understand fundamental phenomena, excluding application-driven research.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: May 7, 2025 (AIDS - All types) | June 16, 2025 (New) | July 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | September 7, 2025 (AIDS - All types) | October 16, 2025 (New) | November 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | January 7, 2026 (AIDS - All types) | February 16, 2026 (New) | March 16, 2026 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | May 7, 2026 (AIDS - All types) | May 24, 2026 (Final deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $275,000 direct costs over 2 years; max $200,000 in any single year.
Summary: Supports early-stage, exploratory basic experimental studies with humans to advance biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research.
Key Information: Only basic science studies involving human participants that meet both NIH clinical trial and basic research definitions are eligible.
Description
This opportunity provides support for exploratory and developmental research projects at the early and conceptual stages, focusing on basic experimental studies involving humans. The intent is to foster innovative ideas or approaches that may involve considerable risk but could lead to breakthroughs or novel methodologies in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. Studies must assign human participants to experimental conditions to assess fundamental phenomena, without a specific application toward products or processes. Projects with application-driven aims (e.g., clinical efficacy, mechanistic clinical trials, or product development) should apply to other NIH funding opportunities.
