Initiative: Promoting a Basic Understanding of Chemical Threats to Skin (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for biomedical researchers studying chemical threats to skin health. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, nonprofit research organizations, and individual researchers with relevant expertise. The NIH typically funds research at universities, medical schools, and independent research centers. Projects must focus on understanding chemical mechanisms and skin toxicity without conducting clinical trials.
Geographic scope includes all U.S. institutions and eligible foreign institutions with NIH approval. Research should advance fundamental knowledge about how chemicals damage skin or protective mechanisms. Activities supported include laboratory studies, mechanistic research, and data analysis on chemical-skin interactions.
Program description
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to solicit basic research applications to investigate the pathological mechanisms of skin injuries caused by toxic Chemicals of Concern (CoC) identified as public health threats by the United States Government. This NOFO supports the goal of the trans-NIH Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP) and is intended to spur the discovery and early development of broad-spectrum medical countermeasures (MCMs) to advance the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery from high consequence chemical disasters and emergencies.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance
- Project Narrative (Specific Aims, Research Strategy, Innovation section)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel
- Literature Cited
- Facilities and Resources
- Letters of Support (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 NIAMS_CCRP@mail.nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.855 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$438,527,853
-
$246,626,852
-
$204,359,786
-
$201,437,825
-
$200,221,259
-
$185,816,804
-
$180,737,624
-
$136,265,880
-
$116,817,868
-
$99,478,296
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $818.8M
- WA 3 awards $684.0M
- MA 6 awards $602.8M
- NC 3 awards $446.4M
- NY 7 awards $375.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.855). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $4,073,812,529 | |
| 2025 | $4,378,235,639 | |
| 2026 est. | $4,299,426,996 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and individual researchers with established research capabilities. Your institution must have 501(c)(3) status or be a public university.
Can I conduct a clinical trial?
No. This grant explicitly excludes clinical trials. Research must be non-clinical, focusing on mechanism and basic science.
What's the deadline and application period?
Applications open May 4, 2026 and are due November 5, 2028. This is a fixed deadline with no rolling submissions.
How competitive is this funding?
NIH R01 grants are highly competitive. Plan a strong preliminary data section and clear innovation narrative. Success rates typically range 15-25%.
What's the expected funding range?
NIH R01 awards typically range $150,000-$500,000 per year, depending on research scope. Total project budgets often span 3-5 years.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish strong preliminary data showing your research direction and feasibility before applying.
- Clearly articulate how chemical threat understanding advances public health or occupational safety.
- Build collaborations with established skin research labs if your track record is limited.
- Budget realistically for equipment, personnel, and supplies; NIH scrutinizes inflated budgets carefully.
- Submit your application well before the deadline to allow time for institutional grants office review.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Lack of preliminary data or unclear research significance often leads to rejection. Overly broad research aims or poorly justified timelines reduce competitiveness. Failing to address clinical trial exclusion upfront can flag applications as non-responsive.
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