NINDS Program Project Grant (P01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 21 181

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 181

The NINDS Program Project Grant (P01 Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PAR-21-181, is a National Institutes of Health grant program run by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It is meant to support large, coordinated research efforts in neurology and neuroscience that tackle major scientific questions aligned with the NINDS mission. The central idea is to fund a set of closely connected research projects that are intentionally designed to work together, so that the overall scientific payoff is greater than what would be achieved if each project were funded separately as stand-alone awards. This FOA emphasizes interactive, innovative research built around synergy: investigators are expected to collaborate in ways that create added value, such as shared hypotheses, integrated aims, complementary methods, cross-project data or resource sharing, and a unified scientific vision that would be difficult to execute through independent grants.

A key feature of the P01 mechanism is that it supports several interdependent, highly meritorious projects under one umbrella program. Applications are expected to demonstrate why the grouped structure is necessary, what scientific advantages come from the integration, and how the different projects strengthen one another. NINDS is specifically looking for programs that bring together outstanding scientists, including teams that might not otherwise collaborate, to address significant problems in neurological disorders, stroke, and related areas. The “clinical trial optional” designation means the program may include clinical trial work if it is appropriate to the proposed science, but clinical trials are not required; applicants can propose either non-trial research or research that includes trials, depending on the goals of the program.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed in the opportunity include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those specific nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as 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), regional organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are important geographic and organizational restrictions. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components” are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means a U.S. applicant can include certain well-justified international elements or collaborations within the project structure when permitted under NIH rules, even though the primary applicant must be U.S.-based.

This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant within the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.853. The FOA was created on April 5, 2021, and the original closing date listed is May 7, 2024. While the provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the intent is clear: NINDS is using the P01 mechanism to invest in integrated, multi-project research programs where the collaborative design is essential to achieving the scientific aims, and where the combined effort can advance understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment related to neurological disorders and stroke more effectively than separate, individual grants.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NINDS Program Project Grant (P01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-04-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-07. (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 21 181

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