NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 152

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 152

The NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed), PAR-21-152, is an NIH grant opportunity from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) aimed at broadening diversity among independent investigators in neuroscience. Its core goal is to help junior faculty from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research make the transition toward research independence by providing a structured package of support: research cost support, protected time to focus on research, and career-stage appropriate mentorship and professional development tailored to neuroscience research careers. In practice, this award is meant to strengthen an applicant's research trajectory and position them to compete successfully for future independent funding.

Eligibility is focused on early-career faculty with doctoral research degrees (Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral research degree) who are at a very specific career point: within the first three years of a tenure-track faculty appointment or an equivalent faculty position at the time they apply. The program is explicitly designed to support individuals who are still establishing their laboratories or research programs and who can clearly benefit from dedicated mentorship and structured development time. While the award targets individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, it also involves the institution in supporting a strong mentoring and career development environment so the candidate has both the time and guidance needed to grow into an independent investigator.

A key restriction is reflected directly in the title: applicants must propose research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial. This includes not leading a clinical trial feasibility study and not leading an ancillary study to a clinical trial. However, the FOA does allow applicants to gain clinical trial experience when the trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. In other words, a candidate can build experience and skills in clinical research settings under supervision, but the candidate cannot be the person directing the clinical trial as the responsible leader under this particular funding announcement.

The opportunity sits in the NIH health research funding space (Funding Activity Category: Health) and is offered as a discretionary grant. The CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this program is 93.853. A wide range of applicant organizations may apply, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, as well as various levels of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations. The announcement also calls out additional categories of eligible applicants such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the FOA draws a firm boundary around foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. In addition, foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed under this announcement, reinforcing that the supported work and organizational structure must remain fully domestic.

This FOA is a reissue of PAR-18-490, indicating it continues an established NINDS programmatic effort to build a stronger and more diverse neuroscience workforce through mentored faculty development awards. The posted original closing date in the provided listing is 2021-04-23, and the record creation date is 2021-04-08. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided fields, so applicants typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for the most precise limits and expectations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01 Independent 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): 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-04-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-23. (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 21 152

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