Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 259
The NICHD Exploratory-Developmental Research Grant (R21), funding opportunity number PA 17 259, is a discretionary NIH grant program run through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). It is designed to back early-stage, exploratory, and developmental research that fits within the NICHD mission areas. The core idea is to give researchers room to test new concepts and take informed risks at the point where a strong idea exists but the evidence base is still emerging, the technical approach is still being proven, or the direction is still being refined.
This opportunity is aimed at projects that are intentionally high-risk and high-reward. In practice, that means proposed studies can be more speculative than a typical full-scale research project, as long as they are scientifically grounded and have a credible path to generating useful results. NICHD highlights that these R21 studies may lead to major breakthroughs in a given area or may catalyze the development of novel tools and approaches, such as new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications. The emphasis is not on supporting large, mature programs of research, but on helping investigators establish feasibility, generate critical preliminary findings, or create enabling methods that could substantially shift biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant funding instrument within the Health, Income Security and Social Services funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.865. The source data lists an award ceiling of $200,000, indicating the maximum level of support stated in the summary information. While the announcement notes "ExpectedAwards:" in the source data, no number is provided in what you shared, so prospective applicants would need to consult the full announcement for any estimates on how many awards NICHD anticipates making and how that might vary by year or receipt date.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants across the public, private, nonprofit, and tribal sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not institutions of higher education. The opportunity also allows applications from federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as other Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. In addition, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are eligible, along with for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) and small businesses. The inclusion of "Others" suggests there may be additional eligible entity types or special cases spelled out in the full funding announcement.
Timing details in the source data indicate the opportunity was created on 2017-04-19 and lists an original closing date of 2017-12-06. Because NIH funding announcements often operate on standard receipt cycles and can be reissued, extended, or replaced over time, anyone planning to apply would want to confirm the current status and active submission dates in the official announcement and on NIH submission systems, rather than relying only on this historical close date.
Overall, the NICHD R21 is best understood as a mechanism to move promising, potentially transformative ideas from concept to credible early evidence. It is particularly well-suited for work that could open up a new line of investigation, establish proof of concept for an emerging approach, or create a new research capability that others can build on, even when the project carries more uncertainty than a conventional, later-stage research proposal. For complete requirements, review criteria, budget and project period specifics, and any NICHD mission-area priorities or restrictions, the full announcement is the authoritative source.Apply for PA 17 259
- The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NICHD Exploratory-Developmental Research Grant (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-04-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-12-06. (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.
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FAQs: NICHD Exploratory-Developmental Research Grant (R21) - PA 17 259
What is the NICHD Exploratory-Developmental Research Grant (R21) opportunity?
The NICHD Exploratory-Developmental Research Grant (R21) is a discretionary NIH grant program administered by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). It supports early-stage, exploratory, and developmental research aligned with NICHD mission areas, particularly when a strong idea exists but the supporting evidence, technical approach, or research direction is still emerging or being refined.
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The funding opportunity number is PA 17 259.
Which NIH institute runs this R21 program?
This opportunity is run through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
What kinds of projects is this R21 designed to support?
This R21 is designed to support early-stage, exploratory, and developmental projects that fit within NICHD mission areas. The goal is to give researchers room to test new concepts and take informed risks when the evidence base is still developing, the technical approach is still being proven, or the direction is still being refined.
Is this opportunity intended for high-risk, high-reward research?
Yes. The opportunity specifically emphasizes projects that are intentionally high-risk and high-reward. Proposed studies may be more speculative than a typical full-scale research project, as long as they are scientifically grounded and have a credible path to producing useful results.
What is the main purpose or core idea behind the NICHD R21 mechanism described here?
The core idea is to help move a promising concept toward credible early evidence by supporting feasibility work, critical preliminary findings, or enabling methods. It is meant to support work at an earlier stage than a large, mature program of research.
What outcomes does NICHD suggest an R21 project might produce?
NICHD indicates that R21 studies may lead to major breakthroughs in a given area or catalyze the development of novel tools and approaches. Examples mentioned include new techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications.
Is this grant meant to fund large, mature research programs?
No. The emphasis is not on supporting large, mature programs of research. Instead, it focuses on establishing feasibility, generating critical preliminary findings, or creating enabling methods that could shift biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research.
What is the funding activity category associated with this opportunity?
The grant is listed under the Health, Income Security and Social Services funding activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 93.865.
What is the award ceiling shown in the source information?
The source data lists an award ceiling of $200,000, which reflects the maximum level of support stated in the summary information provided.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The information provided shows an "ExpectedAwards:" field, but it does not include a number. To find estimates on anticipated awards (and whether that varies by year or receipt date), applicants would need to consult the full funding announcement.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is broad and includes many entity types across public, private, nonprofit, and tribal sectors. The eligible applicants listed include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Other Native American tribal organizations (not federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
Does the opportunity allow for-profit organizations to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) as well as small businesses.
Are tribal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.
Are nonprofits eligible, and do they need to be 501(c)(3) organizations?
Nonprofits are eligible, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, as long as they are not institutions of higher education (as described in the eligibility list provided).
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
What does the presence of "Others" in the eligibility information mean?
The inclusion of "Others" suggests there may be additional eligible entity types or special cases described in the full funding announcement. The full announcement would be the authoritative source for those details.
When was this opportunity created, and what closing date is shown?
The source data indicates the opportunity was created on 2017-04-19 and lists an original closing date of 2017-12-06.
Is the listed closing date guaranteed to be the current submission deadline?
No. The information provided notes that NIH funding announcements can be reissued, extended, or replaced over time. Anyone planning to apply should confirm the current status and active submission dates in the official announcement and in NIH submission systems, rather than relying only on the historical close date shown here.
How should an applicant decide whether this R21 mechanism is a good fit?
Based on the description provided, this mechanism is a good fit for work intended to open a new line of investigation, establish proof of concept for an emerging approach, or create a new research capability that others can build on, especially when the project carries more uncertainty than a conventional later-stage research proposal.
Where should applicants look for complete requirements and official details?
For complete requirements, review criteria, budget and project period specifics, and any NICHD mission-area priorities or restrictions, the full funding announcement is the authoritative source.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 17 259) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Promoting NICHD Areas of Research for HIV/AIDS in Maternal and Child Health (R01) Apply for PA 17 262 Funding Number: PA 17 262 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Small Grants for Secondary Analyses of Existing Data Sets and Stored Biospecimens (R03) Apply for PA 17 299 Funding Number: PA 17 299 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Re-Competition of Global Network for Womens and Childrens Health Research (UG1) Apply for RFA HD 18 009 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Population Dynamics Centers Research Infrastructure Program FY 2018 (P2C) Apply for RFA HD 18 013 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Centers for Translational Research in Reproduction and Infertility (P50) Apply for RFA HD 18 008 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Typical and Atypical Patterns of Language and Literacy in Dual Language Learners (R01) Apply for PA 17 443 Funding Number: PA 17 443 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Typical and Atypical Patterns of Language and Literacy in Dual Language Learners (R21) Apply for PA 17 448 Funding Number: PA 17 448 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Pregnancy in Women with Disabilities (R03) Apply for PA 17 451 Funding Number: PA 17 451 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Pregnancy in Women with Disabilities (R01) Apply for PA 17 452 Funding Number: PA 17 452 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Systems Developmental Biology for Understanding Embryonic Development and the Ontogeny of Structural Birth Defects (R01) Apply for PAR 17 454 Funding Number: PAR 17 454 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Prevention and Treatment through a Comprehensive Care Continuum for HIV-affected Adolescents in Resource Constrained Settings (PATC3H) (UG3/UH3) Apply for RFA HD 18 032 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Typical and Atypical Patterns of Language and Literacy in Dual Language Learners (R21-Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 328 Funding Number: PA 18 328 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Typical and Atypical Patterns of Language and Literacy in Dual Language Learners (R01-Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 316 Funding Number: PA 18 316 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding the Early Development of the Immune System (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 333 Funding Number: PAR 18 333 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Outcome Measures for Use in Treatment Trials of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (R01- Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 039 Funding Number: PAR 18 039 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Advancing Understanding, Prevention, and Management of Infections Transmitted from Women to their Infants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 031 Funding Number: PA 18 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Studies at Periviable Gestation (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 053 Funding Number: PA 18 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Studies at Periviable Gestation (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 036 Funding Number: PA 18 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Understanding, Prevention and Management of Infections Transmitted from Women to their Infants (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 092 Funding Number: PA 18 092 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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