Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers developing chemical probes to study the nervous system in living organisms. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, and research-focused nonprofits with active R&D programs. The award supports biomedical research conducted at U.S. institutions or foreign institutions through specific partnerships. Research must focus on discovering and validating novel chemical probes for neuroscience applications. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism.
This grant is for researchers developing chemical probes to study the nervous system in living organisms. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, and research-focused nonprofits with active R&D programs. The award supports biomedical research conducted at U.S. institutions or foreign institutions through specific partnerships. Research must focus on discovering and validating novel chemical probes for neuroscience applications. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism.
Program description
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support investigators who have the interest and capability to join efforts for the discovery of in vivo chemical probes for novel brain targets. It is expected that applicants will have, in hand, the starting compounds (validated hits) for chemical optimization and bioassays for testing new analog compounds.Through this NOFO, NIH wishes to stimulate research in:Discovery and development of novel, small molecules for their potential use in understanding biological processes relevant to the missions of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Eye Institute (NEI), and/or National Institute on Aging (NIA) andDiscovery and/or validation of novel, biological targets that will inform studies of brain disease mechanisms.Emphasis will be placed on projects that provide new insight into important disease-related biological targets and biological processes.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for researchers developing chemical probes to study the nervous system in living organisms. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, and research-focused nonprofits with active R&D programs. The award supports biomedical research conducted at U.S. institutions or foreign institutions through specific partnerships. Research must focus on discovering and validating novel chemical probes for neuroscience applications. Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this mechanism.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Application Form
- Project Narrative (Research Strategy)
- Biographical Sketches
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Preliminary Studies/Progress Report
- Facilities and Resources
- Letters of Support (if applicable)
- Research Plan (specific aims, significance, innovation, approach)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 NIA-NOFO-Scientific@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.866 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$463,372,200
-
$172,327,224
-
$115,145,694
-
$99,649,073
-
$93,275,174
-
$78,657,309
-
$75,825,492
-
$75,398,895
-
$70,985,470
-
$64,812,576
Top States by Funding
- MI 2 awards $511.9M
- CA 8 awards $511.1M
- MO 8 awards $437.0M
- IN 4 awards $303.9M
- PA 6 awards $298.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.866). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,746,886,731 | |
| 2025 | $3,777,464,644 | |
| 2026 est. | $261,814,471 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this R01 grant?
Research institutions, universities, and nonprofit research organizations are eligible. Applicants must have the infrastructure and personnel to conduct independent biomedical research.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is March 5, 2027. Applications open on May 4, 2026.
What types of research are supported?
Discovery and development of chemical probes for nervous system research in living models. Clinical trials are not permitted under this mechanism.
How competitive is this grant?
R01 grants are highly competitive. Reviewers prioritize innovation, scientific approach, and preliminary data strength.
What is the typical funding range?
NIH R01 awards typically range from $250,000 to $500,000+ per year, depending on field and complexity.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize preliminary data showing probe efficacy in animal models or cell systems before submission.
- Clearly distinguish this from clinical development; focus on fundamental discovery and mechanism understanding.
- Include detailed chemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience methodology with timeline and milestones.
- Address specificity, selectivity, and toxicity of proposed probes early in the proposal narrative.
- Engage collaborators with complementary expertise in chemistry, imaging, or electrophysiology to strengthen your team.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Insufficient preliminary data or unclear feasibility of probe synthesis and validation. Blurring the line between drug discovery and basic research, or proposing clinical endpoints instead of mechanistic studies. Weak justification for why existing probes are inadequate for your research question.
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