Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Development and Validation of Model Systems to Facilitate Neurotherapeutic Discovery (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and institutions seeking to develop and validate new model systems that can accelerate discovery of neurotherapeutics. The NIH IGNITE program supports early-stage translational research that bridges the gap between basic neuroscience findings and clinical application. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, and research organizations with NIH institutional support. The program uses a two-phase R61/R33 mechanism: the exploratory R61 phase tests feasibility and proof-of-concept, followed by the R33 phase for further development and validation. Note that clinical trials are not permitted under this funding mechanism, focusing instead on model system development and pre-clinical validation work. The scope is national, and research must focus on advancing neurotherapeutic discovery through improved model systems.
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Program description
This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages the development and validation of animal models and human/animal tissue ex vivo systems that recapitulate the phenotypic and physiologic characteristics of a defined neurological or neuromuscular disorder. The goal of this FOA is to promote a significant improvement in the translational relevance of animal models or ex vivo systems that will be utilized to facilitate future development of neurotherapeutics. Ideally, models proposed for this FOA would have the potential to provide feasible and meaningful assessments of efficacy following therapeutic intervention that would be applicable in both preclinical and clinical settings. This FOA is part of a suite of Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE) Program focused on enabling the exploratory and early stages of drug discovery.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NIH R&R Application form (includes project narrative, specific aims, research design and methods)
- Research Strategy section (typically 12 pages for R61; includes significance, innovation, approach, and timeline)
- Budget narrative and modular budget (or detailed budget depending on total costs)
- Biosketch of Project Director/Principal Investigator
- Institutional support/commitment letter
- Letters of support from collaborators and end-users (if applicable)
- Budget justification
- Other support documentation (current and pending funding)
- Facilities and equipment information
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.853 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$56,144,651
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$40,959,789
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$35,655,349
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$35,655,116
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$35,335,145
-
$34,183,297
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$32,294,153
-
$32,234,840
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$31,739,294
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$27,282,286
Top States by Funding
- MA 5 awards $123.9M
- OH 4 awards $112.5M
- CA 4 awards $101.3M
- FL 3 awards $100.3M
- MI 3 awards $85.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.853). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,362,835,459 | |
| 2025 | $2,345,500,401 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for IGNITE grants?
Typically, researchers at universities, research institutions, medical schools, and other organizations with NIH institutional support can apply. Both early-career and established researchers are eligible, though applications must demonstrate innovation in model system development for neurotherapeutics.
What is the two-phase R61/R33 structure?
The R61 phase (usually ~2 years) focuses on developing and establishing proof-of-concept for a novel model system. Upon successful completion and competitive review, awards can transition to the R33 phase (usually ~3 years) for expanded validation and optimization of the model system.
Can I include clinical trial activities in my proposal?
No. This IGNITE mechanism explicitly excludes clinical trials. The focus must remain on pre-clinical model system development, validation, and early translational research.
What types of model systems are supported?
Common model systems include cellular, tissue-based, organ-on-a-chip, computational, or animal models that advance neurotherapeutic discovery. The emphasis is on innovation and overcoming existing limitations in current models.
What does a competitive application typically include?
Strong applications clearly articulate an unmet need in current model systems, present innovative approaches to address this gap, demonstrate feasibility in the R61 phase, outline specific milestones and go/no-go decision points, and provide a realistic path to broader utility for the neurotherapeutics community.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly identify the specific limitation or gap in existing model systems that your project addresses, and explain how overcoming this limitation accelerates neurotherapeutic discovery
- Structure your proposal around the two-phase milestone approach, with concrete go/no-go decision points between R61 and R33 phases to demonstrate realistic planning
- Use the exploratory R61 phase to establish proof-of-concept; avoid proposing fully developed models, as reviewers expect incremental progress through the two phases
- Engage potential end-users (academic labs, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms) early and document their interest in adopting your model system to strengthen validation plans
- Budget conservatively and realistically for R61, accounting for the hypothesis-testing nature of early validation work, and clearly distinguish R61 and R33 budget narratives
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they propose clinical trials or human studies, which are not allowed under this mechanism and require a different NIH funding mechanism. Additionally, many applications lack clear innovation—reviewers reject proposals that represent incremental improvements to existing models rather than genuinely novel approaches. Finally, weak transition plans between R61 and R33 phases, with vague or unrealistic milestones, are common reasons for lower scores or unfavorable transition reviews.
Similar grants
- OPEN Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Neurotherapeutic Agent Characterization and In vivo Efficacy Studies (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Therapeutic Agent Identification — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Therapeutic Agent Characterization and Preclinical Efficacy Studies — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Research Projects to Enhance Applicability of Mammalian Models for Translational Research (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) — National Institutes of Health