NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials (R01) | PAR 17 122

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 122

The NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials (R01) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-17-122) is a discretionary grant program from the National Institutes of Health, specifically the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It is designed to support investigator-initiated exploratory clinical trials that fit squarely within NINDSs mission and research priorities in neurological disorders and stroke. In practical terms, this means the program is meant for researchers who have a clinical trial concept ready to be tested in humans, where the study is exploratory in nature and intended to answer targeted questions that can move a therapy or intervention forward, clarify feasibility, or generate key signals needed to justify a larger, later-stage trial.

The FOA is broad in the types of interventions it allows, which is a major feature of the program. Applicants may propose trials that evaluate drugs, biologics, and medical devices, as well as non-pharmacological approaches such as surgical procedures, behavioral interventions, rehabilitation strategies, and other therapeutic approaches relevant to neurological conditions. The central requirement is that the proposed clinical trial addresses questions aligned with NINDS research interests. The announcement points applicants to the NINDS website for detailed information on those interests, which typically span basic-to-clinical translation and clinical research across a wide range of neurological diseases, injuries, and functional impairments.

This mechanism uses the NIH R01 activity code, meaning it follows the traditional NIH research project grant structure while being tailored here for exploratory clinical trials. As an R01, it is generally expected to support a well-justified project with clearly defined aims, sound clinical trial design, and appropriate protections for human participants. Because it is explicitly for clinical trials, applicants should expect that reviewers will look closely at elements like study rationale, eligibility criteria, endpoints and outcomes, statistical considerations, safety monitoring, operational feasibility, and the investigators ability to conduct the trial. While the source text does not list specific budget caps, award ceilings, or the number of expected awards, the listing indicates that an award ceiling is not provided in the summary data, so applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH policy pages for budget guidance and any special instructions.

Eligibility is intentionally expansive. Standard eligible applicant categories include many levels of U.S. government (state, county, city/township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and a wide range of nonprofit entities (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education). The opportunity also allows for for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, reflecting NIHs general openness to both academic and industry participation when the scientific and ethical requirements of clinical research are met.

In addition to the standard categories, the FOA explicitly calls out other eligible applicants, highlighting an interest in broad participation across institution types and communities. These include 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also notes eligibility for faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. Importantly, the listing includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), indicating that international applicants may apply, provided they meet NIH requirements and the proposed work is justified and aligns with NINDS priorities.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed under CFDA number 93.853 (a program identifier associated with NINDS-related NIH funding). The opportunity was created on 2017-01-10, and the original closing date shown is 2017-11-29. Even though that date is historical for this specific listing, the summary still captures what the program was intended to fund: exploratory, investigator-initiated clinical trials in neurology and stroke that test a broad range of therapeutic strategies and generate meaningful clinical evidence in areas that matter to NINDS.

Overall, PAR-17-122 is best understood as an NIH/NINDS invitation for researchers and organizations to propose early or exploratory-stage clinical trials that can establish whether a neurological intervention is promising, feasible, and worth pursuing in larger confirmatory studies. It supports a wide variety of trial types and welcomes applicants across academia, healthcare systems, nonprofits, government entities, community organizations, and certain for-profit groups, including a deliberate emphasis on institutions that serve underrepresented communities and, potentially, international research organizations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NINDS Exploratory Clinical Trials (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-11-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 17 122

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