Exploratory Clinical Trial Grants in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and universities conducting early-stage clinical trials in arthritis, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases. Applicants must design trials that meet NIH's clinical trial definition and are feasible within 2-3 years. The program supports proof-of-concept through Phase II trials focused on translating lab research into human applications.
Eligible organizations include academic medical centers, research hospitals, and nonprofit research institutions. Trials may involve drugs, biologics, devices, behavioral interventions, or physical therapy. Cost-sharing is not required.
Key dates
- Jun 10, 2026 Applications open
- Mar 4, 2027 Application deadline in 264 days
- Mar 4, 2027 Award announced
- Mar 4, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants Program in the mission areas of NIAMS. The goal of the NIAMS clinical trial program is to support research leading to the prevention or reduction of symptoms and improve outcomes and function in patients with rheumatic, musculoskeletal, or skin conditions or diseases. The purpose of the Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants Program is to foster clinical trials that will lead to clinically meaningful improvements in prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of these conditions or diseases.
This Exploratory Clinical Trials Grants Program is designed to facilitate the execution of short-term, interventional studies. The Program is intended to support a range of exploratory studies, from proof-of-concept/first in human to Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. Such studies must meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial and be feasible within the time and budget constraints of this NOFO. A high priority is the use of such studies to stimulate the translation of promising research developments from laboratory, preclinical, and early human testing into clinical practice.
Examples of research areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting early-stage clinical trials, such as but not limited to; first in human, dose-finding or escalation/tolerability/safety/efficacy studies with drugs, biologics, devices, behavioral interventions, and/or physical therapy for treatment of arthritis, musculoskeletal, or skin conditions or diseases.
- Clinical trials to provide data required to support a future, more robust clinical trial whose aim is to help establish the safety and efficacy or effectiveness of an intervention.
- Clinical trials in rare diseases where the number of potential study participants is limited.
- Clinical trials to determine the predictive value of a potential biomarker.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- R61/R33 or equivalent grant application form (likely SF-424 series)
- Project Narrative/Research Strategy
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketch (PD/PI and key personnel)
- Letters of Support/Institutional Commitment
- IRB approval or certification
- Data Safety Monitoring Plan
- Clinical Trial Protocol
Program contact
- 👤 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- 📧 NIAMS_NOFOs@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.846 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$63,962,483
-
$60,038,896
-
$34,166,872
-
$27,648,731
-
$27,051,746
-
$21,654,386
-
$20,288,994
-
$20,225,012
-
$16,326,540
-
$15,274,546
Top States by Funding
- CA 13 awards $123.5M
- MA 15 awards $123.0M
- NY 12 awards $106.8M
- NC 4 awards $102.5M
- PA 11 awards $101.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.846). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $476,478,975 | |
| 2019 | $490,084,446 | |
| 2020 | $505,547,334 | |
| 2021 | $509,241,630 | |
| 2022 | $499,786,367 | |
| 2023 | $548,439,000 | |
| 2024 est. | $545,593,000 | |
| 2025 est. | $541,712,000 |
FAQ
What types of clinical trials does this grant support?
Proof-of-concept, first-in-human, Phase I, and Phase II trials. Studies must meet NIH's clinical trial definition and be feasible within the project timeline.
Who can apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, medical centers, and eligible nonprofits with capacity to conduct clinical trials. Applicants must have appropriate IRB infrastructure.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. Cost-sharing is not required for this grant.
What award amounts should I expect?
Awards typically range from $300,000 to $600,000 for the project period.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is March 4, 2027. Check for rolling submission dates or earlier cutoffs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate clinical feasibility. Show that your trial design, sample size, and timeline are realistic and achievable within the budget.
- Emphasize translation. Connect your early-stage trial to potential clinical impact and how results will inform larger future studies.
- Address recruitment and retention. Clearly explain how you will enroll and maintain participants, especially for rare diseases with small populations.
- Include a strong data and safety monitoring plan. NIH expects rigorous oversight even for early-phase trials.
- Align with NIAMS priorities. Highlight relevance to arthritis, musculoskeletal disease, or skin conditions and clinical meaningfulness of outcomes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing a trial that is too ambitious in scope or duration for the budget. Failing to demonstrate how results will inform future, larger clinical trials. Neglecting detailed data safety monitoring plans or underestimating participant recruitment challenges.
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