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Verified government funding opportunities

Preclinical Proof of Concept Studies for Rare Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Open

National Institutes of Health

Deadline: Jun 2, 2026federal

Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Summary

The purpose of this grant is to provide funding for efficacy studies in established rare disease preclinical models to support the development of therapeutic agents, including small molecules and biologics, aiming to advance projects towards full Investigational New Drug (IND) application or clinical trials. Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, government entities, nonprofits, small businesses, and various other organizations, with specific inclusivity for diverse institutions. Application details are not explicitly provided in the description; interested parties should refer to the full opportunity announcement for further instructions.

Full Description

This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) provides funding to conduct efficacy studies in an established rare disease preclinical model to demonstrate that a proposed therapeutic agent warrants further development. In addition to preclinical efficacy, accompanying pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies would be supported. Therapeutic agents include small molecules, biologics or biotechnology-derived products. The goal of this NOFO is to spur therapeutic development for a variety of rare diseases by advancing projects to the point where they would attract subsequent investment supporting full Investigational New Drug (IND) application development or progression to clinical trials in the case of repurposing or repositioning.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Education

  • Public and state institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Independent school districts

Government

  • Public and Indian housing authorities
  • Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
  • State governments
  • Special district governments
  • County governments
  • City or township governments

Nonprofit

  • Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
  • Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
  • Other Native American tribal organizations

Business

  • Small businesses
  • For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information

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; 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 allowed.

Grantor contact information

Description

NIH Grants Information grantsinfo@nih.gov

Email

See Section VII. Agency Contacts within the full opportunity announcement for all other inquires.

grantsinfo@nih.gov

Apply on official siteUpdated Oct 30, 2025

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