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

Mechanistic Toxicology of METALS: Metal Exposure, Transport, Action, Localization, and Susceptibility (RP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Forecast Expected deadline January 5, 2027 Opportunity RFA-ES-27-009

National Institutes of Health plans to offer grants of up to $500,000 (at least $100,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expects to make about 20 awards worth $15.0 million in total. It is a forecast: the notice is expected around December 4, 2026, with applications due around January 5, 2027.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed September 14, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.

Key dates

Forecast postedSeptember 14, 2026
Expected postingDecember 4, 2026
Expected deadlineJanuary 5, 2027
Expected award dateJuly 31, 2027

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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;

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 purpose of this funding opportunity is to support mechanistic research to understand how exposure to metals and metal-containing compounds alters biological processes relevant to human health. Of particular interest are studies that elucidate the absorption, distribution, transport, cellular trafficking, biological interactions, and mechanisms of action of metals, including mechanisms through which metals may alter immune homeostasis, cross the placental barrier, or gain access to and affect the central nervous system. Studies may employ experimental models, new approach methodologies, computational approaches, or leverage human biospecimens where these approaches are used to address defined mechanistic hypotheses.

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 NOFO.information@niehs.nih.gov, NOFO.information@niehs.nih.gov, Please contact via email..

Open the official notice

Questions people ask

Who can apply for Mechanistic Toxicology of METALS: Metal Exposure, Transport, Action, Localization, and Susceptibility (RP1 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 Mechanistic Toxicology of METALS: Metal Exposure, Transport, Action, Localization, and Susceptibility (RP1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

Expected deadline January 5, 2027. Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $500,000 each. About $15.0 million in total across about 20 awards.

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