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Closed on May 24, 2026

NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

National Institutes of Health · Opportunity number PA-25-307

Details summarized from the official notice as of May 25, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.

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This opportunity is closed as of May 24, 2026. It is kept here for reference. See the related open opportunities below, or check the official listing in case the agency posts a new cycle.

Key facts

Opportunity numberPA-25-307
AgencyNational Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA)93.233, 93.840, 93.866, 93.279, 93.865, 93.273, 93.837, 93.361, 93.173, 93.838, 93.867, 93.242, 93.213, 93.839
PostedDec 18, 2024
DeadlineMay 24, 2026
Cost sharing or matching requiredNo
Funding typeGrant
CategoryHealth
Last updated hereMay 25, 2026

Summary from the notice

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 is for basic science experimental studies involving humans, referred to in NOT-OD-18-212 as prospective basic science studies involving human participants. These studies fall within the NIH definition of a clinical trial and also meet the definition of basic research. Types of studies that should submit under this FOA include studies that prospectively assign human participants to conditions (i.e., experimentally manipulate independent variables) and that assess biomedical or behavioral outcomes in humans for the purpose of understanding the fundamental aspects of phenomena without specific application towards processes or products in mind. Studies conducted with specific applications toward processes or products in mind should submit under the appropriate Clinical Trials Required or Clinical Trial Optional FOA. 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

Who can apply

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:

  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • Public and Indian housing authorities
  • Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
  • City or township governments
  • Other Native American tribal organizations
  • Special district governments
  • Private colleges and universities
  • State governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Public and state colleges and universities
  • Federally recognized tribal governments
  • For-profit organizations other than small businesses
  • County governments

Who should take a closer look

  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofits
  • Colleges and universities
  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Tribal governments and organizations
  • Larger for-profit companies

Not listed as eligible

  • Individuals

Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.

Eligibility details from the notice

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.

Registrations you will likely need

Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.

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