NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
NIH's R21 grant supports early-stage, high-risk clinical trial research with potential for breakthroughs in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical fields.
Funder: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Due Dates: February 16, 2025 | June 16, 2025 | October 16, 2025 | February 16, 2026 | June 16, 2026 | October 16, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | June 16, 2027 | October 16, 2027 | January 7, 2028 (final)
Funding Amounts: Up to $275,000 direct costs over 2 years; no more than $200,000 in any single year.
Summary: Supports exploratory and developmental research projects at early conceptual stages that require at least one clinical trial and align with the scientific missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
Key Information: All applications must propose at least one clinical trial; some NIH Institutes accept only mechanistic trials under this announcement.
Description
This program supports early-stage, high-risk, high-reward exploratory and developmental research projects that require a clinical trial. The intent is to encourage innovative studies that may lead to significant advances in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. Projects may involve novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could drive breakthroughs or open new research directions. The proposed research must align with the scientific interests of at least one participating NIH Institute or Center (IC).
Applicants should verify IC participation and research area fit via the R21 IC-Specific Scientific Interests and Contact page. Note that some ICs only accept mechanistic clinical trials (studies designed to understand biological or behavioral processes, disease pathophysiology, or intervention mechanisms) under this announcement.
