NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)

The NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program, also known as Parent R21, is a funding opportunity that requires a proposal for at least one clinical trial. The grant is designed to financially support early-stage and conceptual developments in research projects that involve significant risks but hold potential for significant breakthroughs or developments in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research fields.

Through this program, researchers are encouraged to develop unique techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could significantly impact their respective fields. A key requirement for this grant is that the project proposal must align with the programmatic interests and scientific missions of one or more participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs).

It is also important for applicants to be aware that some ICs only accept applications for mechanistic studies meeting the NIH's definition of a clinical trial through this specific funding opportunity. This Grant Program is aimed at promoting research excellence and innovation while ensuring the development and execution of high-quality clinical trials.