Early Stage Investigator Research Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 109

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 109

The Early Stage Investigator Research Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) opportunity (PAR-21-109) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant designed to help early stage investigators (ESIs) launch basic or translational research programs that rely on nonhuman primate models. The core idea is to give ESIs a practical runway to get started in a space that is scientifically powerful but also expensive, logistically complex, and heavily regulated. By providing targeted support through an NIH R21 mechanism, the program aims to help new investigators generate credible preliminary data, build technical and operational competence with NHP studies, and develop the independence needed to run an NHP-focused laboratory. NIH frames this as a stepping-stone that should strengthen an investigator's ability to compete for larger, longer-term awards such as an R01 and support the broader transition into an independent tenure-track career.

This announcement emphasizes capacity-building as much as hypothesis-driven science. Beyond producing early results, the award is intended to give ESIs enough time and resources to learn the end-to-end requirements of NHP research, including establishing appropriate protocols, building collaborations with primate centers or vivaria, and demonstrating they can operate within the ethical, veterinary, biosafety, and regulatory expectations that come with NHP work. In practical terms, applicants should expect reviewers to value a plan that is realistic for an R21, clearly matched to the unique constraints of NHP studies, and structured to yield informative data that can directly support a future R01-level program.

The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is health research. The opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which means applicants must not propose a clinical trial as defined by NIH policy. Projects should remain in the basic or translational research lane using NHP models rather than testing clinical interventions in a way that would meet NIH's clinical trial definition. Applicants typically need to pay close attention to NIH's clinical trial decision tools and FOA-specific instructions so that the proposed aims, endpoints, and study design do not inadvertently cross into clinical trial territory.

A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible, reflecting NIH's standard breadth for research grants. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, 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) and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. On the international side, foreign institutions (non-domestic, non-U.S. entities) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, but non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, meaning portions of the work may be conducted abroad under the appropriate structure and approvals.

The opportunity falls under multiple CFDA (Assistance Listing) numbers: 93.213, 93.273, 93.351, and 93.866, indicating it aligns with several NIH institutes or program areas that may support NHP-related science. The posting lists an original closing date of 2024-05-07 and a creation date of 2021-01-11. The excerpted source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would typically look to the full FOA text and any linked institute guidance for budget limits, project period expectations for an R21, and institute-specific priorities.

Overall, this FOA is best understood as a career-enabling research launch pad: it supports ESIs who need an initial, focused award to break into NHP-based research, demonstrate feasibility, and assemble the expertise and infrastructure needed to compete successfully for more substantial NIH funding and to establish themselves as independent investigators.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Stage Investigator Research Using Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models (R21 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): 93.213, 93.273, 93.351, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-11.
• 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 21 109

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