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 requires that at least 1 clinical trial be proposed. 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.Applicants should note that some ICs (see Related Notices) only accept applications proposing mechanistic studies that meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial through this funding opportunity announcement.
NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
National Institutes of Health lists this opportunity for nonprofit applicant type listed. Review the coded eligibility, award range, source synopsis, and official notice before deciding whether to apply.
Deadline
January 7, 2028
443 days remaining
Award range
—
official range may be incomplete
Applicant signal
Nonprofit applicant type listed
the official notice controls eligibility
- 00 — State governments
- 01 — County governments
- 02 — City or township governments
- 04 — Special district governments
- 05 — Independent school districts
- 06 — Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- 07 — Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- 08 — Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- 11 — Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments
- 12 — 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education
- 13 — Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education
- 20 — Private institutions of higher education
- 22 — For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- 23 — Small businesses
- 25 — Other applicants; see the official eligibility clarification
These are high-level Grants.gov codes. Additional eligibility text, geographic restrictions, and program-specific rules in the official notice can narrow them.
- Confirm entity eligibility in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity.
- Check SAM.gov and Grants.gov registration requirements and timing.
- Read every attachment for matching, cost-share, geography, and award conditions.
- Verify the exact deadline time and any agency-specific submission portal.
Want the opportunities that fit your work?
FunderFit compares your program with live federal opportunities and application-ready foundations, then delivers a ranked, source-labeled shortlist.
Source: Grants.gov daily XML extract, 2026-10-21 extract. This page reproduces selected public listing fields for research convenience. The official Notice of Funding Opportunity and agency instructions control. This product uses the Grants.gov API but is not endorsed or certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.