Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 124
The NIH funding opportunity PAR-21-124, titled "Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," supports early translational research aimed at discovering and characterizing potential therapeutic agents for neurological or neuromuscular disorders. The central focus is on building and using laboratory-based experimental systems, specifically in vitro and/or ex vivo assays, and then running iterative screening workflows to find promising drug candidates (or other therapeutic agents) and gather the kinds of data needed to justify more advanced development. The overall intent is to move projects out of the basic discovery stage and closer to a clear translational "on-ramp," where they can qualify for larger, later-stage programs such as the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) or similar translational pipelines.
The mechanism used is the R61/R33 phased innovation award, which is designed to support milestone-driven progression from an initial, higher-risk development phase into a second phase that continues and expands the work once feasibility and predefined performance goals are met. In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose a plan that starts with assay development, optimization, and validation, followed by screening and follow-up characterization that is repeated in cycles to improve confidence in hits and refine candidates. This often includes establishing robustness and reproducibility of assays, demonstrating that the assay measures a biologically meaningful endpoint tied to disease biology, and showing that the screening strategy can reliably identify active compounds or agents with acceptable specificity and signal quality. Because the announcement explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," the work is limited to preclinical and non-clinical activities; it is not intended to support testing interventions in human participants.
The scientific scope centers on assays and screening approaches that can identify and characterize neurotherapeutic leads, which can include small molecules and potentially other agent types, so long as the work fits the FOA's emphasis on assay-driven discovery and iterative evaluation. The goal is not simply to produce a list of hits, but to generate credible, decision-ready evidence about activity, mechanism-relevant effects, and basic properties that help determine whether a candidate is worth advancing. In that sense, the FOA is positioned as a bridge between target/disease biology and the more resource-intensive stages of translational development, helping teams package their projects to meet entry criteria for programs like BPN that typically require strong preliminary data, validated assays, and a coherent development plan.
Eligibility is broad and includes many kinds of applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the funding activity category is Health, with CFDA numbers 93.213 and 93.853 associated with the opportunity.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity created on 2021-03-11, with an original closing date listed as 2024-10-21. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the supplied source data, so those details would typically need to be confirmed directly in the full FOA or related NIH notices. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as NIH support for teams that are ready to translate neuroscience and neuromuscular disease insights into tractable assays and disciplined screening campaigns, producing the rigorous early evidence needed to justify entry into later-stage neurotherapeutic development programs, without moving into clinical testing.Apply for PAR 21 124
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.853.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-10-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is NIH PAR-21-124 (IGNITE) focused on?
PAR-21-124, titled "Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," supports early translational research that aims to discover and characterize potential therapeutic agents for neurological or neuromuscular disorders. The core emphasis is on building and using laboratory-based experimental systems (in vitro and/or ex vivo assays) and running iterative screening workflows to identify and refine promising neurotherapeutic leads.
2. What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The main goal is to move projects beyond basic discovery and closer to a clear translational "on-ramp" by generating rigorous, decision-ready preclinical evidence. The intended outcome is data that can justify advancement into larger, later-stage translational programs such as the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) or similar pipelines.
3. What kinds of research activities does this FOA support?
This FOA supports assay development, optimization, and validation, followed by screening and follow-up characterization. A central expectation is an iterative cycle: improve assays, screen for hits, characterize results, and repeat as needed to refine confidence in leads and improve screening reliability.
4. What types of experimental systems are expected?
The FOA centers on laboratory-based experimental systems, specifically in vitro and/or ex vivo assays. These assays should measure biologically meaningful endpoints tied to disease biology and be suitable for screening workflows aimed at identifying active neurotherapeutic agents.
5. What does "iterative screening workflows" mean in the context of this grant?
It refers to repeated cycles of screening and follow-up testing designed to improve the quality of evidence around potential hits. The work is not intended to be a one-time screen; it is expected to involve repeated evaluation and refinement to increase confidence in findings and to help prioritize candidates.
6. Is this funding opportunity intended to support clinical trials?
No. The FOA explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." The supported work is limited to preclinical and non-clinical activities and is not intended to test interventions in human participants.
7. What therapeutic agent types are in scope?
The opportunity includes small molecules and may include other therapeutic agent types, as long as the project fits the FOA's emphasis on assay-driven discovery and iterative evaluation to identify and characterize neurotherapeutic leads.
8. Is the goal simply to generate a list of screening hits?
No. The FOA is positioned to support generating credible, decision-ready evidence about activity, mechanism-relevant effects, and basic properties that inform whether a candidate is worth advancing. Producing a list of hits alone is not the stated intent; the focus is on disciplined early translational evidence generation.
9. What is the award mechanism for this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the R61/R33 phased innovation award mechanism. It is milestone-driven and is designed to support progression from an initial, higher-risk development phase (R61) to a second phase (R33) that continues and expands the work once feasibility and predefined performance goals are met.
10. How does the phased R61/R33 structure affect the project plan?
Applicants are expected to propose a plan that begins with assay development/optimization/validation and then transitions into screening and follow-up characterization. Progression is tied to achieving predefined milestones and performance goals, reflecting a structured path from feasibility to expanded execution.
11. What kinds of assay qualities or performance characteristics are emphasized?
The FOA emphasizes assay robustness and reproducibility, validation that the assay measures a biologically meaningful endpoint tied to disease biology, and demonstration that the screening strategy can reliably identify active compounds or agents with acceptable specificity and signal quality.
12. What does it mean that the program is a "bridge" to later-stage development?
It means the FOA is designed to help teams package and strengthen their projects with validated assays, coherent screening strategies, and strong preliminary data so they can meet typical entry criteria for more resource-intensive translational development programs (for example, BPN).
13. What disease areas does this funding opportunity target?
The scientific focus is on neurological and neuromuscular disorders, specifically in the context of identifying and characterizing neurotherapeutic leads using assay-based approaches.
14. Who can apply for this funding opportunity?
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities.
15. Are specific institution types explicitly highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; eligible federal agencies; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
16. Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. The eligibility description includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicants.
17. Which agency sponsors this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
18. What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Health.
19. What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.213 and 93.853.
20. When was this grant opportunity created and what is the listed closing date?
The opportunity is listed as created on 2021-03-11. The original closing date shown in the provided information is 2024-10-21.
21. Does the provided listing include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The supplied source data does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Those details would typically need to be confirmed in the full FOA or related NIH notices.
22. What kind of readiness does NIH seem to expect from applicants?
Based on the description, the opportunity best fits teams ready to translate neuroscience or neuromuscular disease insights into tractable assays and disciplined screening campaigns, producing rigorous early evidence needed to justify entry into later-stage neurotherapeutic development programs, without moving into clinical testing.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Effectiveness Trials for Post-Acute Interventions and Services to Optimize Longer-term Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
Previous opportunity: Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner With South Florida – Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 21 124
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 21 124) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Development and Validation of Model Systems to Facilitate Neurotherapeutic Discovery (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 123 Funding Number: PAR 21 123 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Neurotherapeutic Agent Characterization and In vivo Efficacy Studies (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 122 Funding Number: PAR 21 122 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $499,000 |
| AHRQ/PCORI Learning Health System Small Grant Pilot Program Apply for PA 21 202 Funding Number: PA 21 202 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Medical Scientist Training Program (T32) Apply for PAR 21 189 Funding Number: PAR 21 189 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Career Transition Award for Intramural Fellows (K22 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PA 21 194 Funding Number: PA 21 194 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mentored Career Transition Award for Intramural Fellows (K22 Clinical Trials Required) Apply for PA 21 195 Funding Number: PA 21 195 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Animal Models and Related Biological Materials for Research (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 167 Funding Number: PAR 21 167 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| High-Priority Behavioral and Social Research Networks in Alzheimers Disease and Alzheimers Disease-Related Dementias (R24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AG 22 012 Funding Number: RFA AG 22 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| High-Priority Behavioral and Social Research Networks (R24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AG 22 013 Funding Number: RFA AG 22 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Research on Bat Immunology (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 184 Funding Number: PAR 21 184 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding and Modifying Temporal Dynamics of Coordinated Neural Activity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 175 Funding Number: PAR 21 175 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding and Modifying Temporal Dynamics of Coordinated Neural Activity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 176 Funding Number: PAR 21 176 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Core Centers for Clinical Research (CCCR) (P30)- Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for RFA AR 22 002 Funding Number: RFA AR 22 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Short Courses on Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Sciences Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 22 010 Funding Number: RFA AG 22 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $139,000 |
| Short Courses on Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Sciences Research on Aging (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 22 009 Funding Number: RFA AG 22 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $139,000 |
| Limited Competition: Alzheimers Disease Sequencing Project Follow-Up Study 2.0 (ADSP FUS 2.0): The Diverse Population Initiative (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 212 Funding Number: PAR 21 212 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Neural Mechanisms of Force-Based Manipulations: High Priority Research Networks (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AT 21 006 Funding Number: RFA AT 21 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NHGRI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award for a Diverse Genomics Workforce (F99/K00) Apply for PAR 21 143 Funding Number: PAR 21 143 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transformative Research to Address Health Disparities and Advance Health Equity at Minority Serving Institutions (U01 Clinical Trial Allowed) Apply for RFA RM 21 022 Funding Number: RFA RM 21 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transformative Research to Address Health Disparities and Advance Health Equity (U01 Clinical Trial Allowed) Apply for RFA RM 21 021 Funding Number: RFA RM 21 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 21 124", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.