NIMHD Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 150

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 150

The NIMHD Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PAR-20-150, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant designed to support short-term, early-stage research that can open up new directions in minority health and health disparities research. The focus is on exploratory or developmental projects, meaning the program is intended for ideas that are still emerging but show strong promise to either break new ground or push prior findings toward new applications. The underlying goal is practical impact: projects should be positioned to directly contribute to improving minority health outcomes and/or reducing health disparities.

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is commonly used for early, proof-of-concept, and pilot-style studies where investigators are testing new hypotheses, developing innovative approaches, or generating preliminary data that could later support larger, more definitive research efforts. The notice indicates that clinical trials are optional, so applicants may propose either clinical trial work or non-clinical trial research, as long as it fits the mission and aims of NIMHD and the broader emphasis on minority health and disparity reduction.

Eligible applicants span a wide range of organization types, reflecting an intent to support research capacity across many sectors. Eligible entities include 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; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, which are handled under the separate higher-ed category); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups often central to minority health infrastructure and community engagement, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Collectively, this broad eligibility is consistent with the program goal of encouraging innovative research that is grounded in, and relevant to, communities experiencing health inequities.

There are also important limits related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, described as foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. At the same time, the announcement allows foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which typically means a U.S.-based applicant can include certain foreign elements in the project when they are well-justified, scientifically necessary, and compliant with NIH policy, even though the lead applicant organization must be domestic.

From the funding details provided, the award ceiling is listed as $200,000, and the program is associated with CFDA number 93.307. The opportunity was created on March 26, 2020, and the original closing date shown is May 7, 2023. In practical terms, this makes the program best suited for tightly scoped, time-limited projects with clear exploratory aims, strong innovation, and a direct line of sight to advancing knowledge or interventions that can meaningfully improve minority health or reduce disparities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIMHD 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): 93.307.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-03-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-07. (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 20 150

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