Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
🏛 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 conducting exploratory or developmental research projects with a clinical trial component.
Eligible applicants include universities, nonprofit research institutions, and other 501(c)(3) organizations with research capacity. For-profit entities may also apply under specific conditions.
Geographic scope is U.S. researchers and institutions. This grant supports novel, early-stage research projects that may lead to future clinical trials. Funded activities include hypothesis development, preliminary data collection, and feasibility studies for clinical research.
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Program description
The NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant supports exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. This Parent Notice of Funding Opportunity requires that at least 1 clinical trial be proposed. The proposed project must be related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) based on their scientific missions.Applicants should note that some ICs (see Related Notices) only accept applications proposing mechanistic studies that meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial through this funding opportunity announcement.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application form
- Project Narrative (specific aims, significance, innovation, approach)
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches (key personnel)
- Resources and environment description
- Letters of support (if applicable)
- Clinical trial protocol or plan (if applicable)
- IRB approval letter or exemption documentation
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.213 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$22,367,527
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$21,646,919
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$19,236,131
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$17,730,528
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$15,036,701
-
$14,473,882
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$12,748,932
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$11,956,053
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$11,225,697
-
$10,919,780
Top States by Funding
- CA 13 awards $83.5M
- MA 13 awards $80.2M
- WA 8 awards $69.9M
- NC 7 awards $53.8M
- NY 6 awards $40.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.213). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $240,178,154 | |
| 2025 | $232,899,116 | |
| 2026 est. | $2,655,626 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this R21 grant?
Universities, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, research institutions, and some for-profit entities with research capacity may apply. Applicants must have institutional affiliation and research infrastructure.
What is the main difference between R21 and other NIH grants?
R21 grants fund exploratory/developmental research with smaller budgets and shorter timeframes than R01 grants. They support high-risk, innovative early-stage projects.
Does this grant require a clinical trial?
Yes. This Parent R21 specifically requires clinical trial components or a path to clinical testing. Non-clinical projects use different R21 mechanisms.
What types of research does this fund?
Preliminary data collection, feasibility studies, methodology development, and hypothesis testing. Projects should be early-stage and novel.
How competitive is this funding?
R21 grants are moderately competitive. Success rates vary by NIH institute. Strong preliminary data and clear innovation improve competitiveness.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Frame your project as exploratory and innovative with clear clinical relevance or pathway to trials.
- Provide preliminary data supporting feasibility, even if limited; reviewers expect early-stage work.
- Clearly distinguish from R01 proposals; emphasize novelty and risk, not comprehensive studies.
- Budget realistically for the 2-year period; focus resources on key feasibility questions.
- Build in clear milestones and decision points showing how results inform future clinical trial design.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing work that is too developed or comprehensive for an exploratory grant; R21 should feel high-risk and early-stage. Failing to clearly articulate the clinical trial pathway or relevance. Insufficient or missing preliminary data to support feasibility claims.
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