Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 234
The NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed), PAR-21-234, is an NIH grant opportunity aimed at helping diversify the community of independent investigators in neuroscience. It is a faculty development and mentored career award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) that supports junior faculty as they build the skills, preliminary data, and professional track record needed to become competitive, independent neuroscience researchers. The opportunity is a reissue of PAR-18-490 and focuses on providing a package of support that typically includes protected research time, research-related costs, and structured mentorship and career development activities that match the needs of early-stage faculty.
The target applicant is an individual from a background underrepresented in biomedical research who already holds a doctoral research degree (Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral research degree) and is still early in their faculty trajectory. A key eligibility detail is timing: applicants must be within the first three years of a tenure-track faculty position or an equivalent appointment at the time they apply. The intent is to reach investigators early enough that the award can meaningfully shape their research direction, help them establish independence, and strengthen their pathway toward later-stage NIH funding.
This particular FOA is explicitly for projects that do not involve the applicant leading an independent clinical trial. That means the proposed research under this K01 cannot be structured around the applicant serving as the lead for an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study connected to a clinical trial. At the same time, the announcement allows a practical form of clinical research exposure: applicants may include a research experience component that involves participating in a clinical trial as long as that trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. In other words, trainees can gain clinical trial experience and mentorship without taking on the formal leadership role that would classify their K01 project as an independent clinical trial.
On the institutional side, the eligible applicant organizations are broad and include many common NIH-eligible entity types such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also calls out additional eligible institution categories often associated with broadening participation, including 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 (AANAPISIs). Faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain tribal governments and tribal organizations are also listed as eligible applicants.
There are clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. While the text lists non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities in the “other eligible applicants” section, it then states unambiguously that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and that foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed. Practically, applicants should plan for the work to be conducted within eligible U.S.-based organizational structures without foreign components.
From an administrative perspective, this is a discretionary grant in the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.853, and administered by the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity’s original closing date is listed as 2024-09-07. The summary provided does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget limits, project period details, effort requirements, and the specific review criteria used to evaluate the candidate, career development plan, research plan, mentors, and institutional commitment.
Overall, the K01 is designed to function as a structured launch pad for underrepresented junior faculty in neuroscience: it gives them time and support to develop a focused research niche, generate publishable results and preliminary data, receive hands-on guidance from experienced mentors, and build a credible path to independence, while keeping the proposed research outside the scope of applicant-led independent clinical trials.Apply for PAR 21 234
- 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 2021-04-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-07. (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.
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FAQs: NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01; Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - PAR-21-234
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01; Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed), FOA number PAR-21-234. It is an NIH mentored career development award administered by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to support junior faculty as they build toward becoming competitive, independent neuroscience investigators.
What is the main goal of this K01?
The goal is to help diversify the community of independent investigators in neuroscience by supporting early-career faculty from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research. The award is intended to provide a structured package of support (such as protected research time, research-related costs, and mentorship/career development activities) so recipients can develop skills, generate preliminary data, and build a professional track record leading to future NIH funding.
Is this a research grant or a career development award?
Based on the description provided, this is a faculty development and mentored career award (K01). It supports both research progress and structured career development, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and building independence.
Who is the intended applicant (career stage)?
The intended applicant is a junior faculty member who is still early in their faculty trajectory and can benefit from mentored support to establish independence in neuroscience research.
What degree is required to be eligible as an applicant?
The target applicant already holds a doctoral research degree, such as a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral research degree.
Is there a timing requirement related to faculty appointment?
Yes. Applicants must be within the first three years of a tenure-track faculty position or an equivalent appointment at the time of application.
Why does the FOA emphasize applying within the first three years of a faculty position?
The intent is to reach investigators early enough that the award can meaningfully shape their research direction, help them establish independence, and strengthen their pathway toward later-stage NIH funding.
Who is this program trying to support in terms of diversity?
The program targets individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research, with the broader aim of diversifying the neuroscience research workforce.
What kinds of support does this K01 typically provide?
The description indicates the support package typically includes protected research time, research-related costs, and structured mentorship and career development activities tailored to early-stage faculty needs.
What does "Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for this K01?
It means the proposed project under this K01 cannot involve the applicant leading an independent clinical trial. The K01 project also cannot be structured around the applicant leading a clinical trial feasibility study or an ancillary study connected to a clinical trial.
Can an applicant still get clinical trial experience under this K01?
Yes. The FOA allows a research experience component that involves participating in a clinical trial as long as the clinical trial is led by a mentor or co-mentor. This allows clinical trial exposure and mentorship without the applicant serving as the formal lead.
Does the FOA allow the K01 candidate to be the lead for a feasibility study or ancillary clinical trial study?
No. The description explicitly states the K01 cannot be structured around the applicant serving as the lead for an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or an ancillary study connected to a clinical trial.
Which NIH Institute administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.853.
What is the funding activity category?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant in the health funding activity category.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant organizations listed are broad and include: public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special districts). The list also includes independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Are institutions focused on broadening participation specifically called out as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out several categories commonly associated with broadening participation, including 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 (AANAPISIs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are listed among eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories and tribal entities included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The list includes U.S. territories or possessions, certain tribal governments, and tribal organizations, as well as regional organizations and eligible federal agencies.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply?
No. Although non-domestic entities appear in one eligibility list, the FOA then states unambiguously that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-domestic (non-U.S.) component in the application?
No. The FOA states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Are foreign components allowed under NIH policy for this opportunity?
No. The FOA states that foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.
Where should the proposed work be conducted to stay compliant with the foreign involvement restrictions?
Practically, the description indicates applicants should plan for the work to be conducted within eligible U.S.-based organizational structures and avoid foreign components.
Is this FOA new or a reissue of an earlier announcement?
This FOA is described as a reissue of PAR-18-490.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed in the summary is 2024-09-07.
Does the provided summary include the award ceiling or number of awards?
No. The summary provided does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards.
Does the provided summary include budget limits, project period details, or effort requirements?
No. The summary indicates that applicants would need to consult the full FOA for budget limits, project period details, effort requirements, and review criteria.
What elements are likely to be evaluated during review (based on the summary)?
The summary notes that the full FOA would specify review criteria used to evaluate the candidate, the career development plan, the research plan, the mentors, and institutional commitment.
What is this K01 designed to help awardees achieve?
The K01 is designed to serve as a structured launch pad for underrepresented junior faculty in neuroscience by helping them develop a focused research niche, generate publishable results and preliminary data, receive guidance from experienced mentors, and build a credible path toward independence, while keeping the project outside the scope of applicant-led independent clinical trials.
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