Well Told Grants

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

Development of Models, New Approach Methodologies, and Biological Materials for Studying Human Health and Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Forecast Expected deadline February 16, 2028 Opportunity PAR-29-002

National Institutes of Health plans to offer grants of up to $500,000 (at least $190,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expects to make about 15 awards. It is a forecast: the notice is expected around December 16, 2027, with applications due around February 16, 2028.

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

Key dates

Forecast postedSeptember 16, 2026
Expected postingDecember 16, 2027
Expected deadlineFebruary 16, 2028
Expected award dateOctober 10, 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 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).

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

Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) encourages innovative research to develop, characterize, improve or preserve research models and model related biological materials, and to develop or improve technologies, including new approach methodologies (NAMs), for studies relevant to human health and diseases. This NOFO also seeks projects aimed at improving the identification and control of factors that could confound or interfere with the use of research models in biomedical research. The proposed project must have broad applicability to multiple NIH Institutes or Centers (ICs) to align with the NIH-wide mission of the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP). The proposed studies must include research model(s) or NAM(s) and must explore multiple body systems or multiple categories of diseases affecting multiple body systems. Applications that develop models focused on a specific disease, a narrow area of research, or a single body system, or propose studies primarily relevant to a single NIH IC will be considered not acceptable to this NOFO.

Category: Health.

How to apply

  1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. 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 Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP), ORIPDCM@mail.nih.gov, 301-435-0744.

Open the official notice

Questions people ask

Who can apply for Development of Models, New Approach Methodologies, and Biological Materials for Studying Human Health and Diseases (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 Development of Models, New Approach Methodologies, and Biological Materials for Studying Human Health and Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

Expected deadline February 16, 2028. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $500,000 each.

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