NIBIB Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) (Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 433

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 433

The NIBIB Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) (Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity designed to back early-stage, high-potential ideas in areas that align with the mission of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). The program is meant for exploratory and developmental projects that aim to spark meaningful advances in biomedical imaging and bioengineering by pushing toward new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or novel applications of existing approaches. A central theme of this opportunity is innovation: projects are expected to be positioned for potential breakthroughs rather than incremental improvements, and they can be framed as technology design-directed efforts, discovery-driven studies, or hypothesis-driven research.

A defining feature of this R21 mechanism is its tolerance for scientific and technical risk, as long as that risk is matched by the possibility of a high impact on human health or on biomedical research capabilities more broadly. The solicitation explicitly anticipates that applicants may be proposing ideas that are not yet backed by preliminary data, which distinguishes it from many other research grant mechanisms that typically expect feasibility to be demonstrated ahead of time. In practical terms, this makes the R21 a good fit for proof-of-concept work, early prototyping and validation, feasibility exploration, and other concept-testing studies where the key goal is to establish whether a new approach can work well enough to justify larger-scale follow-on funding.

The opportunity is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional," which means applicants are not forced into a clinical trial framework but may include a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the proposed research direction. This flexibility supports a broad range of projects, from preclinical or methodological development to early clinical evaluation, provided the work remains consistent with NIBIB interests and the exploratory/developmental spirit of the R21 mechanism.

From an administrative standpoint, the funding instrument is a grant and the activity category is health (CFDA number 93.286). The award ceiling is noted as $200,000, indicating the maximum amount that can be awarded under the terms referenced in the source information. The funding opportunity number is PAR 18 433, and the agency is the National Institutes of Health. The source data also lists an original closing date of 2021-05-07 and a creation date of 2017-12-15, which is useful context for recordkeeping and confirming whether newer versions, reissues, or related announcements exist for current submission planning.

Eligibility for this program is broad, reflecting NIH's standard inclusion of many organization types across the research ecosystem. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. In addition, the announcement highlights other eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility is intended to encourage diverse participation and broaden the set of institutions and communities contributing to early-stage biomedical imaging and bioengineering innovation.

Overall, this FOA is best understood as a mechanism for testing bold ideas early, especially those that could change what is technically possible in biomedical imaging and bioengineering or open up new ways to study, diagnose, monitor, or treat disease. It is structured to help investigators move an inventive but unproven concept into an initial demonstration of feasibility or value, setting the stage for larger, more definitive projects later on.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIBIB Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) (Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.286.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 18 433

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