Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 762
The Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (PAR 18-762) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program in the health area (CFDA 93.853) focused on early, practical steps in neurotherapeutics translation. The core purpose is to support projects that build or optimize in vitro and/or ex vivo assays and then use those assays in iterative screening workflows to identify and begin characterizing candidate therapeutic agents for neurological disorders. In plain terms, it is meant to help teams move from a disease idea or biological hypothesis to a working experimental system that can reliably test and rank potential therapeutic candidates, creating the kind of data package needed to justify the next stage of formal translational development.
The scientific emphasis is on assay development and screening rather than late-stage preclinical development or clinical evaluation. Applicants are expected to create fit-for-purpose assays (cell-based, tissue-based, organotypic preparations, or other ex vivo systems) that can measure a biologically meaningful signal linked to a neurological disease mechanism, and then apply those assays in a structured, repeatable screening and follow-up process. The phrase "iterative screening" signals that this is not a one-and-done screen; the intent is to run cycles of testing and refinement, using results to improve assay performance, confirm biological relevance, and progressively narrow down or optimize the most promising agents. The opportunity is broadly framed around "potential therapeutic agents," which may include small molecules, biologics, or other modalities, as long as the work stays within the scope of assay-driven identification and characterization and does not involve clinical trials.
A key programmatic goal of this IGNITE FOA is to advance projects to the point where they can meet entry criteria for more advanced NINDS-supported translational pipelines. Specifically, it is positioned as an on-ramp to programs such as the NINDS Cooperative Research to Enable and Advance Translational Enterprises for Biologics (CREATE Bio) for biologics and biotechnology products, the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) for small molecule development, or other translational programs. That means applicants should think of the award as a bridge between discovery research and downstream translational infrastructure, producing validated assays, screening outputs, and an evidence-backed short list of candidates suitable for the more resource-intensive stages of development.
The grant mechanism is R61/R33, which is commonly used to support a phased progression from an initial, milestone-driven stage (R61) into a follow-on stage (R33) if predefined objectives are met. Practically, this structure encourages applicants to propose clear technical milestones for assay readiness, assay performance characteristics, screening decision points, and evidence standards for what counts as a credible "hit" or lead-level candidate. While the source text does not list the full milestone requirements, the mechanism itself strongly implies that reviewers and program staff will expect concrete go/no-go criteria and a realistic plan for transitioning from assay setup to screening execution and candidate characterization.
Clinical trials are explicitly not allowed under this FOA. That restriction matters for scope: human testing of interventions, or studies designed to evaluate clinical efficacy or safety in participants, would be out of bounds. The work should remain preclinical and assay-centered, emphasizing experimental systems, screening methods, and early characterization rather than clinical endpoints.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility is intentionally broad. It includes multiple levels of government (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), as well as independent school districts. Academic eligibility spans public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are eligible, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, and the FOA also highlights participation from Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Nonprofit organizations are eligible both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), and the program is also open to for-profit organizations other than small businesses as well as small businesses. In addition, the FOA explicitly notes eligibility for eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, this signals an interest in drawing strong assay and screening capabilities from many sectors, including academia, government, nonprofits, and industry, as well as encouraging participation from a wide range of institution types.
From the administrative details provided, the opportunity was created on 2018-04-19, with an original closing date of 2021-03-12. The listed award ceiling is $499,000. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided source data, so applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA or NIH notices for any updated award projections or budgeting guidance.
Overall, this IGNITE FOA is best understood as targeted seed funding for translational neurotherapeutics projects that are not yet ready for major development programs but have a plausible therapeutic hypothesis and need robust assays plus disciplined screening to find and prioritize candidate agents. The ideal outcome is a validated experimental platform and a set of screened, characterized candidates that collectively form a credible entry package for NINDS translational programs like CREATE Bio or BPN, without crossing into clinical trial activities.Apply for PAR 18 762
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification (R61/R33 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): 93.853.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-04-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-12. (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 $499,000.00 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.
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