Pre-application: Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (X02 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 21 342

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 342

This funding opportunity, titled "Pre-application: Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (X02 Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR-21-342), is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant mechanism designed to spark and strengthen translational research collaborations that can move promising basic science discoveries toward real clinical impact. The core purpose is to support high-quality projects that are well aligned with the missions and priorities of participating NIH Institutes and Centers, with a clear line of sight to improving human health. The program is especially interested in studies that deepen understanding of important disease processes or that have credible potential to generate new or improved therapeutics, diagnostics, or prevention approaches.

A defining feature of this opportunity is its emphasis on collaboration between NIH intramural investigators and researchers outside the NIH. NIH intramural investigators are those working within NIH laboratories and clinics, while extramural investigators are based at universities, medical centers, companies, nonprofits, or other organizations outside NIH. The program is built to accelerate translational science by pairing these groups and by helping external teams access resources that are difficult to replicate elsewhere, particularly the specialized infrastructure and patient-oriented research environment of the NIH Clinical Center. In practical terms, it is meant to enable extramural investigators to conduct clinical research projects at the NIH Clinical Center in partnership with NIH intramural collaborators, taking advantage of the Clinical Center's capabilities to support complex protocols and clinically focused studies.

The "X02" label signals that this is a pre-application opportunity, meaning it is structured as an initial step to propose and shape a potential collaborative project rather than functioning as a traditional, full-scale research project grant from the outset. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation indicates that proposed projects may include a clinical trial when appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. This flexibility allows applicants to propose work ranging from translational studies that prepare for clinical testing, to patient-centered investigations, to clinical studies that can directly evaluate interventions, diagnostics, or prevention strategies, as long as they fit the participating NIH Institutes and Centers' interests.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic applicants: state, county, and local 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. In addition, the opportunity explicitly highlights eligibility for a wide range of other applicant categories, 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, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects a program goal of broadening participation and building translational collaborations across diverse institutional settings and communities.

Key administrative details provided include that the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category spans education, health, and related social service domains. The listing includes multiple CFDA numbers (now commonly referenced as Assistance Listing numbers) associated with different NIH components. The opportunity information notes an award ceiling of $500,000 and lists an original closing date of 2023-12-13, with an opportunity creation date of 2021-11-19. While the number of expected awards is not specified in the provided data, the structure and intent make it clear the program prioritizes strong, feasible collaborative translational projects that can leverage the NIH Clinical Center environment and intramural expertise to speed progress from discovery to clinical application.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pre-application: Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (X02 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.213, 93.233, 93.242, 93.273, 93.394, 93.395, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.853, 93.855, 93.865, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-11-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-13. (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 $500,000.00 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 21 342

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