Joint NINDS/NIMH Exploratory Neuroscience Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PA 25 150

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 150

The Joint NINDS/NIMH Exploratory Neuroscience Research Grant is an NIH R21 funding opportunity designed to back early-stage, high-risk, high-reward neuroscience ideas that fit within the missions of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The program is meant for projects that are still in the exploratory or conceptual phase, where the main goal is often to test feasibility, generate proof-of-concept evidence, or open up a new direction that could later mature into a larger, more definitive research program. Because of this emphasis, the opportunity is a good fit for unconventional or innovative approaches that may not yet have extensive preliminary data, but that could lead to major advances in understanding the nervous system or in developing broadly useful research tools.

A central theme of the announcement is innovation that benefits the neuroscience community. That can include work aimed at clarifying mechanisms relevant to neurological or mental health conditions, as well as the creation or early validation of new techniques, agents, methodologies, or experimental models. The expectation is that the supported research will tackle important problems in neuroscience while accepting that the approach may be risky or unproven at the outset. In practice, these awards are geared toward enabling researchers to take a well-justified chance on an idea that could produce a meaningful breakthrough or provide a new capability for others in the field.

On human research, the scope is narrower than it may first appear. Although the description notes that clinical trials can be accepted, the announcement specifies that only certain types of human studies will be considered for funding: mechanistic clinical trials or studies, or basic experimental studies with humans (often referred to as BESH). That means the focus is on studies designed to understand biological, physiological, or behavioral mechanisms, rather than large-scale efficacy testing or late-stage intervention trials. Applicants proposing human work need to align tightly with those mechanistic or basic-experimental aims and follow the definitions and guidance referenced in the full Funding Opportunity Description to ensure the proposed study type is actually within scope.

The opportunity is listed as discretionary grant funding through the NIH, with activity in the health category and CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.853. The funding opportunity number is PA-25-150, and the closing date provided is January 7, 2028. The notice does not list a specific award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided source details, which usually means applicants should consult the full announcement and NIH policy pages for budget structure, project period expectations, and standard R21 constraints.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common research and public-service organization types. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Overall, the program is structured to encourage a wide range of institutions to propose bold, early-stage neuroscience research that can quickly test new ideas and set up the foundation for future, larger studies.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Joint NINDS/NIMH Exploratory Neuroscience Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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 PA 25 150

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