Small Grants for New Investigators to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 21 313

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 313

The NIH funding opportunity PAR-21-313, titled "Small Grants for New Investigators to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)," is designed to help new investigators from diverse backgrounds launch or strengthen independent research careers through a small, focused project. The program is anchored in the scientific mission areas of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and any participating NIH Institutes and Centers. The intent is to expand participation in biomedical research by supporting investigators, including those from groups that are nationally underrepresented in biomedical research, with funding that can generate preliminary data, demonstrate feasibility, or establish a methodological or technological foundation for future, larger grants.

A central eligibility feature is that applicants must be "new investigators" at the time of award and must have a limited prior research funding history. Specifically, the investigator must have had less than 125,000 dollars in combined direct costs of research funding, with NIH training awards and NIH career development awards excluded from that calculation. In practical terms, this FOA targets early-stage researchers who have not yet accumulated substantial independent research support and who can benefit from a short-duration, limited-budget award to accelerate their transition toward research independence.

The grant mechanism is an NIH R21, which is commonly used for early, exploratory, or developmental work rather than large, multi-year programs. Consistent with that purpose, the FOA emphasizes small research projects that can be completed in a relatively short period of time with limited resources. The types of projects explicitly encouraged under the R21 umbrella include pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing datasets, small self-contained research projects, development or refinement of research methods, and development of new research technologies. The "clinical trial optional" designation means the application may propose a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the research aims, but a clinical trial is not required.

The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant and falls under funding activity areas related to food and nutrition and health, with CFDA numbers 93.172 and 93.847. The award ceiling listed is 125,000 dollars, aligning with the emphasis on limited direct costs and small-scale projects. The administering agency is the National Institutes of Health. The original closing date provided is January 7, 2025, and the FOA creation date is August 20, 2021.

Eligibility is broad at the organizational level, which is intended to reduce barriers and allow a wide range of institutions to support eligible investigators. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and 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; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types that reflect a strong diversity and capacity-building focus, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and 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-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).

Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted entry point for promising new investigators from diverse backgrounds to conduct a compact, high-value study within NIDDK-relevant mission areas. By funding projects such as pilots, feasibility work, secondary data analyses, or method and technology development, the FOA aims to help recipients build a track record, strengthen independence, and position themselves competitively for larger NIH research awards in the future.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Grants for New Investigators to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.172, 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-08-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-07. (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 $125,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 21 313

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