Well Told Grants

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

Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders, and Syndromes (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Open Closes July 20, 2028 (628 days left) Opportunity PAR-25-450

National Institutes of Health is offering grants to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. Applications close on July 20, 2028.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed September 23, 2025. Checked October 31, 2026.

Key dates

PostedSeptember 22, 2025
DeadlineJuly 20, 2028
Archived by Grants.govAugust 25, 2028

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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); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

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Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites researchers to submit applications for support of clinical projects that address critical needs for clinical trial readiness in rare diseases. The initiative seeks applications that are intended to facilitate rare diseases research by enabling efficient and effective movement of candidate therapeutics or diagnostics toward clinical trials, and to increase their likelihood of success. This could be through the development and testing of rigorous biomarkers and clinical outcome assessment measures, or by defining the presentation and course of a rare disease to enable the design of upcoming clinical trials.

Category: 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 Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders, and Syndromes (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 Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders, and Syndromes (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

Closes July 20, 2028 (628 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

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