Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) | PAR 25 199

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 199

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" under funding opportunity number PAR 25-199. This program supports exploratory, early-stage research projects (R21 mechanism) focused on building and validating advanced human cell-derived microphysiological systems (often called MPS, organ-on-chip, or engineered tissue platforms) that can reproduce key structural and functional features of the human nervous system more realistically than current in vitro models. The central aim is to push beyond simplified neural cultures toward models that better capture the complexity of nervous system architecture, physiology, and dynamic behaviors.

Projects funded through this NOFO are expected to create next-generation nervous system MPS platforms and related assays that can serve as enabling tools for future research. In practical terms, NIH is looking for systems that can more faithfully model complex nervous system development, function, and aging, and that can be used later to study both healthy and disease states. The emphasis is on improving fidelity: better representation of tissue organization, cellular diversity, functional readouts, and physiologically relevant interactions than what is commonly achieved today. While specific disease areas are not listed in the summary text, the intent is that these platforms ultimately make it easier to investigate neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, neurodevelopmental processes, and age-related changes by providing more predictive and human-relevant experimental systems.

The opportunity is explicitly not for clinical trials. "Clinical Trials Not Allowed" means applicants should propose preclinical, laboratory-based research and technology development rather than studies that prospectively assign human participants to interventions to assess health-related outcomes. The work is intended to be foundational and platform-building: engineering the models, demonstrating performance and reproducibility, and developing assays that show the model can capture meaningful nervous system biology.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; 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 (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible groups 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.

Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of 2026-01-07 and an award ceiling of $200,000. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA (now Assistance Listing) numbers: 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.866, and 93.867, indicating it aligns with several NIH program areas that support biomedical and bioengineering research. Overall, this NOFO is designed for teams developing cutting-edge human nervous system microphysiological platforms that can become widely useful tools for studying neural biology and disease with improved relevance to human physiology.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-07. (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 $200,000.00 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 25 199

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