Exploratory Clinical Trial Grants in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Forecast
National Institutes of Health plans to offer grants of up to $600,000 (at least $300,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expects to make about 4 awards. It is a forecast: the notice is expected around September 1, 2026, with applications due around March 4, 2027.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed June 10, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.
- Award ceiling$600,000
- Award floor$300,000
- Expected awards4
- Total fundingnot stated
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Forecast posted | June 10, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Expected posting | September 1, 2026 |
| Expected deadline | March 4, 2027 |
| Expected award date | March 4, 2027 |
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.
- 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 (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).
Is this a realistic fit?
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants Program in the mission areas of NIAMS. The goal of the NIAMS clinical trial program is to support research leading to the prevention or reduction of symptoms and improve outcomes and function in patients with rheumatic, musculoskeletal, or skin conditions or diseases. The purpose of the Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants Program is to foster clinical trials that will lead to clinically meaningful improvements in prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of these conditions or diseases. This Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants Program is designed to facilitate the execution of short-term, interventional studies. The Program is intended to support a range of exploratory studies, from proof-of-concept/first in human to Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. Such studies must meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial and be feasible within the time and budget constraints of this NOFO. A high priority is the use of such studies to stimulate the translation of promising research developments from laboratory, preclinical, and early human testing into clinical practice. Examples of research areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Conducting early-stage clinical trials, such as but not limited to; first in human, dose-finding or escalation/tolerability/safety/efficacy studies with drugs, biologics, devices, behavioral interventions, and/or physical therapy for treatment of arthritis, musculoskeletal, or skin conditions or diseases. Clinical trials to provide data required to support a future, more robust clinical trial whose aim is to help establish the safety and efficacy or effectiveness of an intervention. Clinical trials in rare diseases where the number of potential study participants is limited. Clinical trials to determine the predictive value of a potential biomarker.
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- 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 Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIAMS_NOFOs@mail.nih.gov, Please contact via e-mail..
Questions people ask
Who can apply for Exploratory Clinical Trial Grants in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases?
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 Exploratory Clinical Trial Grants in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases?
Expected deadline March 4, 2027. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $600,000 each.
Similar open grants
- Continuation of the Collaborative Islet Transplantation Registry (U01 Clinical Trial Not allowed)
- BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Coordinating Unit for Biostatistics, Informatics, and Engagement (CUBIE)
- Centers without Walls for mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD)
- Expanding the Therapeutic Pipeline for Treating and Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Preclinical Validation and Drug Discovery for Novel Candidate Targets (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Systematic Testing of Radionuclides in Preclinical Experiments (STRIPE, RP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- Exposomic Contributions to ADRD Pathology and Resilience