HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
Updated
Cooperative agreement from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes Feb 20, 2029, 854 days left.
| Opportunity number | RFA-NS-27-007 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Institutes of Health |
| Funding type | Cooperative agreement |
| Field | Health |
| Expected number of awards | 3 |
| Total program funding | $11.0 million |
| Cost sharing or matching | Not required |
| Assistance listing | 93.213, 93.233, 93.273, 93.279, 93.395, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867 |
| Posted | Jun 16, 2026 |
| Closes | Feb 20, 2029 (854 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar |
Who can apply
- 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 and Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see the eligibility notes)
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.
Description
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support the preclinical optimization and development of safe, effective, and non-addictive small molecule and biologic therapeutics for the treatment of pain. The goal of the program is to accelerate the advancement of promising early-stage therapeutic candidates and facilitate their readiness for Phase II clinical trials.
Applicants must have a promising small molecule or biologic lead candidate for optimization, a strong biological rationale for the proposed approach, and established assays to guide the optimization process. The scope of the program includes lead optimization, early-stage development activities, IND-enabling studies, development of pharmacodynamic and/or target engagement biomarkers, preparation and submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, and Phase I clinical testing.
This is a milestone-driven, phased cooperative agreement program that involves active participation by NIH program staff in project planning and ongoing monitoring of research progress.
Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov
Health grants right now
There are 350 open federal grants in health that small businesses may apply for; 33 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $500,000. The agencies offering the most are National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA and Centers for Disease Control - NCBDDD. Grants in this field stay open a median of 1031 days; this one is open for 980 days.
Who has won this program before
- University Of Massachusetts Medical School $139.0 million · from Aug 22, 2018
- Baylor College Of Medicine $47.8 million · from Sep 28, 2011
- University Of California, LOS Angeles $36.7 million · from Sep 26, 2014
- President And Fellows Of Harvard College $27.9 million · from Apr 19, 2023
- Regents Of The University Of Minnesota $21.6 million · from Sep 23, 2022
The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.213, 93.233, 93.273, 93.279, 93.395, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867 with funding activity since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.
Other open grants in the same program
Under assistance listing 93.213, 93.233, 93.273, 93.279, 93.395, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, the federal program this grant is paid from.
More open grants from the National Institutes of Health
340 open grants from this agency accept small businesses, with $356.4 million in total program funding listed.