Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 149
The Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to support early-stage, engineering-driven projects that are still in the exploratory or proof-of-concept phase. It uses the R21 grant mechanism and is specifically labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants must not propose clinical trials under this announcement. The central aim is to help researchers demonstrate the feasibility and likely usefulness of new bioengineering capabilities, or meaningful improvements to existing tools, methods, devices, or systems, where the work could substantially improve how biomedical and health-related research or care is performed.
This opportunity focuses on bioengineering solutions that move the needle on practical performance and real-world utility. Competitive projects are expected to show potential to improve at least one major dimension such as quality, speed, efficacy, ease of operation, cost, or accessibility. In practice, that can include developing new instrumentation, sensors, imaging or diagnostic technologies, computational or data-driven engineering approaches, improved biomaterials or drug delivery concepts (as enabling technologies rather than trials), microfluidic or lab-on-a-chip systems, assistive technologies, or workflow-enabling platforms that make research or clinical care more efficient and reachable. The scope is broad across the biomedical pipeline, spanning basic biomedical research, pre-clinical research, and clinically relevant research settings, as well as innovations that improve clinical care delivery or increase access to healthcare solutions. The common thread is that the work should be engineering-oriented and geared toward creating or refining a capability that can be used to solve concrete biomedical or healthcare problems.
The funding opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a standard grant instrument. The published award ceiling is $200,000, indicating an upper limit on award size (often interpreted as a cap on direct costs per year or per project depending on NIH-specific instructions in the full FOA). While the source listing does not provide complete details on project duration or the exact number of awards expected, R21 grants are generally intended for shorter, high-risk/high-reward exploratory efforts where preliminary data may be limited but the concept is compelling and testable. The intention is typically to generate feasibility data, prototypes, validation results, or other milestones that position the project for a larger follow-on grant or translational pathway.
Eligibility is intentionally expansive and includes a wide range of organizations that can contribute to bioengineering innovation. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. In addition, the FOA highlights other eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility reflects NIH interest in drawing strong engineering ideas from diverse institutional settings, including community-facing organizations and institutions serving underrepresented populations, as well as international collaborators where appropriate.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number PAR-19-149 and was created on 2019-01-08. The source data lists an original closing date of 2022-01-07, which suggests that this specific posting may have had an endpoint or a scheduled expiration; applicants would normally confirm the current status and any reissued or active versions of the FOA through NIH and Grants.gov before preparing a submission. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399), reflecting that participating NIH institutes or centers may support projects aligned with their specific missions across biomedical and health domains.
In short, this program is aimed at funding early, engineering-heavy bioinnovation that can convincingly show it will enable better biomedical research or healthcare delivery, with clear emphasis on feasibility and practical gains like faster performance, lower cost, improved usability, or expanded access, while explicitly excluding clinical trial proposals under this particular R21 announcement.Apply for PAR 19 149
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-01-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21) - FAQs
What is the EBRG program?
The Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) program is an NIH funding opportunity that supports early-stage, engineering-driven bioengineering projects. It is intended for exploratory or proof-of-concept work that aims to demonstrate feasibility and likely usefulness of a new or improved bioengineering capability.
What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 grant mechanism, which is generally designed for shorter, exploratory projects that may be high-risk/high-reward and may not yet have extensive preliminary data.
Are clinical trials allowed under this announcement?
No. This funding opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." Applicants must not propose clinical trials under this announcement.
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The central goal is to help researchers demonstrate feasibility and practical value of new bioengineering tools, methods, devices, systems, or meaningful improvements to existing ones. The work should be engineering-oriented and aimed at enabling better biomedical research or healthcare delivery.
What kinds of improvements are expected from competitive projects?
Competitive projects are expected to show potential to improve at least one major dimension of performance or utility, such as quality, speed, efficacy, ease of operation, cost, or accessibility.
What types of projects fit within the scope of this opportunity?
The scope is broad and can include engineering innovations such as new instrumentation, sensors, imaging or diagnostic technologies, computational or data-driven engineering approaches, microfluidic or lab-on-a-chip systems, assistive technologies, workflow-enabling platforms, and enabling technologies like biomaterials or drug delivery concepts (as technology development rather than clinical trials).
Does the program support computational or data-driven approaches?
Yes. Computational or data-driven engineering approaches are included as examples of the types of bioengineering innovations that may be supported, as long as they align with the program's feasibility-focused, engineering-driven purpose and do not propose clinical trials.
Can projects focus on clinical care delivery or access to care?
Yes. The opportunity includes innovations that improve clinical care delivery or increase access to healthcare solutions, provided the work remains engineering-focused and does not include clinical trials under this FOA.
Is this funding intended for basic research, pre-clinical research, or clinically relevant work?
It can span the biomedical pipeline, including basic biomedical research, pre-clinical research, and clinically relevant research settings. The unifying expectation is an engineering-oriented capability that addresses concrete biomedical or healthcare problems.
What is meant by "exploratory" or "proof-of-concept" in this context?
In this program, exploratory or proof-of-concept work typically means early-stage development aimed at producing feasibility data, prototypes, validation results, or similar milestones that show the concept is testable and likely to be useful.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The published award ceiling is $200,000. This indicates an upper limit on award size, though how it applies (for example, per year or per project) is typically governed by NIH-specific instructions in the full funding opportunity announcement.
How long are R21 projects usually intended to last?
The provided information does not specify a duration for this opportunity. More generally, R21 grants are intended for shorter exploratory efforts. Applicants would need to confirm any FOA-specific limits or expectations in the full announcement.
How many awards will NIH make under this opportunity?
The source information does not provide the expected number of awards. Applicants should confirm the current FOA details through NIH and Grants.gov.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include many types of governments, higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses.
Are local and state government entities eligible?
Yes. Eligible government applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations are listed as eligible.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among eligible applicant types.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Are institutions serving underrepresented populations specifically included?
Yes. The FOA highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, and TCCUs.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations are listed as eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among eligible applicant types.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are listed as eligible.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-19-149.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2019-01-08.
What is the closing date shown for this opportunity?
The source information lists an original closing date of 2022-01-07. Because opportunities can expire or be reissued, applicants should verify the current status and any active versions on NIH and Grants.gov before preparing an application.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, and 93.399. This reflects that multiple NIH institutes or centers may participate, depending on mission alignment.
What is the best way to confirm whether the FOA is still active?
Based on the listed original closing date, applicants should confirm current status (including any reissued or active versions) directly through NIH and Grants.gov.
What kinds of outcomes is NIH expecting from an R21 project in this program?
The intent is typically to produce feasibility data, prototypes, validation results, or other measurable milestones that demonstrate the concept is viable and position the work for a larger follow-on grant or a translational pathway.
What is the common thread that ties together acceptable projects?
The common thread is engineering-oriented innovation aimed at creating or refining a capability that can be used to solve real biomedical or healthcare problems, with a clear emphasis on practical gains in performance or usability, and without proposing clinical trials.
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| Mobile Technologies Extending Reach of Primary Care for Substance-Use-Disorders (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 021 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (UM1 Clinical Trials Required) Apply for RFA CA 19 007 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| Virtual Reality Tools to Enhance Evidence Based Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 033 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) Pharmacokinetic Resource Laboratories (U24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 008 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $320,000 |
| Improving Outcomes for Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 19 033 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Virtual Reality Tools to Enhance Evidence Based Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 032 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Provocative Questions (PQs) in Cancer with an Underlying HIV Infection (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 032 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HIV/AIDS Adult Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network Leadership and Operations Center (UM1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA AI 19 003 Funding Number: RFA AI 19 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 169 Funding Number: PAR 19 169 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biology of Bladder Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 168 Funding Number: PAR 19 168 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Administrative Supplements to NCI Grant and Cooperative Agreement Awards to Support Collaborations with the PDX Development and Trial Centers Research Network (PDXNet) (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 174 Funding Number: PA 19 174 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Awardee Skills Development Consortium: Research Education Short Courses (UE5 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Awardee Skills Development Consortium: Program Logistics and Evaluation Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 19 011 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biology of Bladder Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 184 Funding Number: PAR 19 184 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biology of Bladder Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 183 Funding Number: PAR 19 183 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Microbial-based Cancer Therapy -Bugs as Drugs (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 194 Funding Number: PAR 19 194 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Parent F31) Apply for PA 19 196 Funding Number: PA 19 196 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Microbial-based Cancer Therapy -Bugs as Drugs (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 193 Funding Number: PAR 19 193 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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