HEAL Initiative: Studies to Enable Analgesic Discovery (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Updated Oct 20, 2026

Grant from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes Jan 15, 2027, 87 days left.

Opportunity number	RFA-NS-25-023
Agency	National Institutes of Health
Funding type	Grant
Field	Education, Food and nutrition, Health, Income security and social services
Award ceiling	$350,000
Cost sharing or matching	Not required
Assistance listing	93.121, 93.213, 93.273, 93.393, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867
Posted	Sep 18, 2024
Closes	Jan 15, 2027 (87 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)

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-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.

Description

This funding opportunity is part of a suite of NOFOs within the NIH HEAL Initiative to support the development of safe, effective, and non-addictive therapeutics to treat pain. The goal is to encourage initial translational efforts that will support a drug discovery program and advance projects to the point where they meet the entry criteria for the Pain Therapeutics Development Program.

The scope will therefore be focused on development of assays to support a distinct testing funnel, screening efforts to identify hits, and initial characterization of hits and potential therapeutic agents (including small molecules, biologics, and natural products).

Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov

Education grants right now

There are 109 open federal grants in education that small businesses may apply for; 7 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $424,500; this grant offers up to $350,000. The agencies offering the most are National Institutes of Health and DOC NOAA - ERA Production. Grants in this field stay open a median of 1064 days; this one is open for 849 days.

Who has won this program before

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center $443.7 million · from Jun 29, 2006
University Of Washington $83.6 million · from Mar 1, 1997
Regents Of The University Of California, SAN Francisco, The $82.5 million · from Mar 1, 1997
President And Fellows Of Harvard College $76.7 million · from Jul 1, 2004
University Of Alabama AT Birmingham $69.9 million · from Mar 30, 1988

The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.121, 93.213, 93.273, 93.393, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.