NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | PA 25 303

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 303

The NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required), funding opportunity number PA 25-303, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program that supports a single, well-defined research project proposed by one or more investigators. The focus is on a discrete and clearly bounded set of aims that align with the scientific strengths of the research team, using the R01 mechanism to fund substantial projects that are hypothesis-driven or otherwise rigorously designed to answer important scientific questions.

What makes this particular Parent R01 distinct is that it is specifically intended for basic science experimental studies that involve human participants and are considered clinical trials under NIH definitions. In line with NIH guidance (including NOT-OD-18-212), the target projects are prospective basic science studies in humans where researchers intentionally assign participants to different conditions. In practical terms, the study design involves experimentally manipulating one or more independent variables (for example, varying task conditions, exposures, stimuli, or intervention-like assignments) and then measuring biomedical or behavioral outcomes directly in humans. The key purpose is foundational understanding: these projects aim to reveal fundamental mechanisms or principles underlying biological, psychological, or behavioral phenomena, without being driven by a near-term product, treatment, or applied clinical objective.

Because these studies both meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial and still qualify as basic research, applicants need to be careful about fit. This NOFO is appropriate when the work is experimental and human-participant based, but the intent is to understand underlying mechanisms rather than to test a specific clinical application, optimize a process, or evaluate a product-oriented outcome. If a project is designed with a specific applied use in mind, such as establishing the effectiveness of a therapeutic approach, validating a clinical tool, or advancing a product toward implementation, NIH expects applicants to use a different pathway, such as a Clinical Trials Required or Clinical Trial Optional NOFO that matches the applied intent and regulatory framing.

Applications must also align with the programmatic priorities of at least one participating NIH Institute or Center (IC). In other words, even though this is a Parent announcement, funding decisions and scientific fit depend on whether the proposed research falls within an ICs mission area and current interests. The activity spans NIH-relevant domains reflected in the broad funding activity categories listed (including health, education, environment, food and nutrition, and social services-related areas), and it is associated with multiple CFDA numbers, indicating that several NIH components may participate depending on topic area.

Eligibility is broad and includes many kinds of organizations that commonly apply for NIH funding. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other applicant types. The opportunity also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIS institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. This wide eligibility reflects NIHs interest in supporting strong basic experimental human research across diverse institutional settings and communities.

Administratively, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, the funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is currently listed with an original closing date of 2028-01-07. The source listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which is common for NIH parent announcements where budgets and award counts vary widely by IC, fiscal year, and the mix of meritorious applications received.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.399, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• Eligible applicants include: 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.

Apply for PA 25 303

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