Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and research institutions seeking to fund bioengineering research projects with optional clinical trial components. Eligible applicants include public and private universities, research institutes, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses with research capabilities. Applicants must have institutional research infrastructure and comply with NIH research requirements. The program supports a wide range of bioengineering research from basic science to translational applications focused on advancing health technology and innovation.
Academic institutions, established research centers, and organizations with IRB/IACUC approval can apply. Researchers must have appropriate qualifications and institutional sponsorship. International organizations may be eligible under specific NIH agreements. Clinical trial components require appropriate regulatory approvals and oversight mechanisms.
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Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages collaborations between the life and physical sciences that: 1) apply a multidisciplinary bioengineering approach to the solution of a biomedical problem; and 2) integrate, optimize, validate, translate or otherwise accelerate the adoption of promising tools, methods, and techniques for a specific research or clinical problem in basic, translational, or clinical science and practice. An application may propose design-directed, developmental, discovery-driven, or hypothesis-driven research and is appropriate for small teams applying an integrative approach to increase our understanding of and solve problems in biological, clinical, or translational science. This NOFO will support clinical trials that test functionality or validate performance in the chosen setting. This NOFO is not intended to support conventional clinical trials that lack translation as the primary motivation. Applications that propose phase III clinical trials in any area of research are not sought by and will not be supported through this NOFO. This NOFO does not support commercial production.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application Form
- Project Narrative (Specific Aims, Research Design, Methods)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Letters of Support/Collaboration
- Preliminary Data and Supporting Documents
- IRB/IACUC Approval (if human/animal subjects)
- Facilities and Resources Description
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 bioengineeringresearchgrants@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.399 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$22,629,848
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$20,187,190
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$19,625,661
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$19,227,026
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$18,138,327
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$17,827,646
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$17,614,587
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$16,535,118
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$16,126,587
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$14,347,054
Top States by Funding
- NY 7 awards $57.6M
- SC 3 awards $46.6M
- DE 3 awards $43.2M
- IL 3 awards $38.4M
- WI 3 awards $37.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this bioengineering research grant?
Universities, research institutes, nonprofits, and small businesses with research capacity can apply. Your institution must have research infrastructure and IRB/IACUC approval capability.
What types of projects are funded?
Basic bioengineering research, translational projects, and clinical trials are supported. Projects should advance health technologies, medical devices, or therapeutic approaches.
What is the application deadline and timeline?
The deadline is July 5, 2029. Applications open May 4, 2026. Plan to submit well before the deadline to allow time for internal review.
How competitive is this funding?
NIH R01 grants are highly competitive. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and experienced teams significantly improve chances of funding.
What funding amounts should I expect?
Typical R01 awards range from $200,000 to $500,000 annually, but amounts vary. Budget directly to your research needs and justify all costs carefully.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Develop strong preliminary data before applying. Reviewers expect proof-of-concept that your approach is feasible and innovative.
- Write a clear, specific aims section. Limit to 2-3 well-defined, measurable objectives that directly address your research question.
- Build a strong research team with complementary expertise. Include collaborators with relevant experience and track records.
- If including a clinical trial component, ensure all regulatory approvals (IRB, FDA) and protocols are in place. This substantially increases review scrutiny.
- Follow NIH formatting guidelines exactly. Use correct fonts, margins, page limits, and section structures. Noncompliant applications may be rejected without review.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or insufficient preliminary data. Reviewers need evidence your approach is feasible before funding a full project.
Vague specific aims or overly broad scope. Applications succeed when objectives are narrow, specific, and achievable in the funding period.
Poor budget justification or unsupported costs. Every budget line must directly support your research aims with clear justification.
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