Well Told Grants

Grants / Department of Health and Human Services / National Institutes of Health

NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Open Closes January 7, 2028 (433 days left) Opportunity PA-25-304

National Institutes of Health is offering grants to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. Applications close on January 7, 2028.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed July 16, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.

Key dates

PostedDecember 18, 2024
DeadlineJanuary 7, 2028
Archived by Grants.govFebruary 12, 2028

Add the deadline to your calendar

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.

More grants for nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses, businesses.

Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

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.

Category: Education, Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services.

How to apply

  1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov and the agency's announcement. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
  2. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
  3. Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.

Questions go to National Institutes of Health, grantsinfo@nih.gov, 301-402-2541.

Open the official notice

Questions people ask

Who can apply for NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

National Institutes of Health accepts applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

What is the deadline for NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

Closes January 7, 2028 (433 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

Similar open grants