Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers seeking to support early-stage exploratory and developmental bioengineering research. Eligible applicants include institutions (domestic and some international) with PHS funding authorization, including universities, medical schools, hospitals, and independent research institutes. The R21 mechanism specifically supports high-risk, high-reward projects that may lack sufficient preliminary data for traditional R01 grants. Clinical trial involvement is optional. Applicants must have access to institutional research infrastructure and comply with NIH compliance requirements. Funding supports salary, equipment, supplies, and other direct costs associated with exploratory bioengineering research projects designed to generate preliminary data and feasibility evidence.
This grant is for researchers seeking to support early-stage exploratory and developmental bioengineering research. Eligible applicants include institutions (domestic and some international) with PHS funding authorization, including universities, medical schools, hospitals, and independent research institutes. The R21 mechanism specifically supports high-risk, high-reward projects that may lack sufficient preliminary data for traditional R01 grants. Clinical trial involvement is optional. Applicants must have access to institutional research infrastructure and comply with NIH compliance requirements. Funding supports salary, equipment, supplies, and other direct costs associated with exploratory bioengineering research projects designed to generate preliminary data and feasibility evidence.
Program description
Through this engineering-oriented Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to encourage submissions of exploratory/developmental Bioengineering Research Grant (EBRG) applications to demonstrate feasibility and potential utility of new capabilities or improvements in quality, speed, efficacy, operability, costs, and/or accessibility of solutions to problems in basic biomedical, pre-clinical, or clinical research, clinical care delivery, or accessibility.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- HBCU
- Hospital
- 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 seeking to support early-stage exploratory and developmental bioengineering research. Eligible applicants include institutions (domestic and some international) with PHS funding authorization, including universities, medical schools, hospitals, and independent research institutes. The R21 mechanism specifically supports high-risk, high-reward projects that may lack sufficient preliminary data for traditional R01 grants. Clinical trial involvement is optional. Applicants must have access to institutional research infrastructure and comply with NIH compliance requirements. Funding supports salary, equipment, supplies, and other direct costs associated with exploratory bioengineering research projects designed to generate preliminary data and feasibility evidence.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&D) form
- Project Narrative (including specific aims, background, research design, timeline)
- Budget and Budget Justification (including NIH Format Page 4)
- Biographical Sketches for key personnel (NIH format)
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Institutional review board (IRB) approval or exemption determination (if human subjects involved)
- Institutional Certification and Assurances
- Letters of institutional support and resource commitment
- Data Safety Monitoring Plan (if clinical trial included)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.394 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$67,679,289
-
$42,479,238
-
$38,139,324
-
$37,524,148
-
$36,939,788
-
$35,037,695
-
$30,393,940
-
$30,179,102
-
$18,143,614
-
$16,667,828
Top States by Funding
- PA 9 awards $127.6M
- WA 5 awards $103.0M
- CA 11 awards $101.7M
- TX 8 awards $91.8M
- OH 5 awards $73.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.394). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $540,918,671 | |
| 2025 | $602,293,691 | |
| 2026 est. | $716,748,079 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Research institutions, universities, medical centers, and hospitals with NIH funding eligibility. Individual researchers typically must apply through their institution. Some international organizations may be eligible under specific NIH policies.
What is the deadline and how often is this program offered?
This program typically has multiple submission deadlines per year (commonly in January, May, and September). Check NIH's GRANTS.GOV website for the complete deadlines cycle.
What types of bioengineering research are supported?
The program supports exploratory and developmental bioengineering projects including tissue engineering, medical devices, biomaterials, biosensors, and computational bioengineering. Projects should be innovative and at an early developmental stage.
How competitive is this funding?
R21 grants are moderately competitive. Success rates typically range from 15-25% across NIH programs. Projects with solid preliminary data, clear innovation, and experienced research teams perform best.
What is the typical funding amount and project duration?
R21 grants typically provide up to $275,000 in direct costs over two years, though specific amounts vary by IC. Clinical trials may have different budgetary guidelines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Lead with innovation and feasibility: Clearly articulate what makes your project novel and why you can accomplish it in the 2-year R21 timeframe with limited preliminary data.
- Be realistic about scope: R21 projects are exploratory, not comprehensive research programs. Define a focused, achievable set of aims that will generate preliminary data for future R01 applications.
- Address the "high-risk, high-reward" expectation: Explain why this work is innovative and could have significant impact, but also acknowledge the uncertainties you'll address.
- Assemble a strong team: Include mentors and collaborators with complementary expertise in bioengineering, clinical application (if relevant), and regulatory pathways if your project has clinical translation potential.
- If including a clinical trial, plan early: Clinical trials require additional regulatory approvals (IRB, FDA if needed). Build in sufficient time and budget for these requirements in your timeline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because researchers propose preliminary data that appears too robust for an R21 (making it look like an R01), lack clear definition of the exploratory aims and expected outcomes, or propose timelines that are unrealistic for the 2-year funding period. Additionally, applicants sometimes underestimate the regulatory and operational complexity of clinical trials or fail to demonstrate institutional commitment and resource availability needed to execute the project successfully.
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