Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Development and Validation of Model Systems to Facilitate Neurotherapeutic Discovery (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Updated Oct 20, 2026

Grant from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes Oct 20, 2027, 365 days left.

Opportunity number	PAR-25-060
Agency	National Institutes of Health
Funding type	Grant
Field	Health
Award ceiling	$750,000
Total program funding	$750,000
Cost sharing or matching	Not required
Assistance listing	93.853
Posted	Oct 22, 2024
Closes	Oct 20, 2027 (365 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.

Description

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages the development and validation of animal models and human/animal tissue ex vivo systems that recapitulate the phenotypic and physiologic characteristics of a defined neurological or neuromuscular disorder. The goal of this FOA is to promote a significant improvement in the translational relevance of animal models or ex vivo systems that will be utilized to facilitate future development of neurotherapeutics.

Ideally, models proposed for this FOA would have the potential to provide feasible and meaningful assessments of efficacy following therapeutic intervention that would be applicable in both preclinical and clinical settings. This FOA is part of a suite of Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE) Program focused on enabling the exploratory and early stages of drug discovery.

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; this grant offers up to $750,000. 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 1093 days.

Who has won this program before

University Of North Carolina AT Chapel Hill $977.0 million · from Jun 29, 2006
Mayo Clinic $102.2 million · from Sep 15, 2019
The General Hospital Corporation $75.4 million · from Sep 19, 2019
Research Triangle Institute $72.7 million · from Apr 1, 2018
Yale Univ $67.5 million · from Jul 1, 2015

The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.853 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.