Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 22 038
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Research Program Award (R35, Clinical Trial Optional) is designed to give NINDS-funded investigators longer-term, more flexible support so they can spend less time writing and juggling multiple grant applications and more time actually doing science. Rather than funding a single narrowly defined project with fixed specific aims, this award supports an investigator's broader research program, giving the Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) room to adapt as new findings, technologies, or opportunities emerge. The overall intent is to create a more stable funding environment that helps investigators pursue ambitious, longer-horizon neuroscience research, explore higher-risk or ground-breaking directions, and devote more attention to mentoring students and postdoctoral researchers in alignment with the NINDS mission.
A key feature of the opportunity is its duration and stability: RPAs can provide support for up to 8 years, with an award level generally tied to the PD/PI's recent NINDS funding history (the detailed budgeting approach is referenced in the announcement as Part 2, Section II). This structure is meant to reduce the administrative load that comes with maintaining several overlapping grants while still sustaining a strong, productive laboratory. The award is also described as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose clinical trial activities if appropriate for their program, but a clinical trial is not required.
The program is mission-focused. NINDS emphasizes that proposed research must fit within the NINDS neuroscience and neurological disorders mission area. Activities that fall outside that mission or that are more typically supported by another NIH Institute or Center are not intended to be supported through this mechanism. In practice, that means applicants should be prepared to show that the core themes of their overall research program align clearly with NINDS priorities, even though the funding is flexible and not constrained to a single set of rigid aims.
The opportunity also highlights NINDS priorities around mentorship and workforce development, especially the goal of improving diversity and inclusion in neuroscience. The announcement frames mentoring as a meaningful benefit of the R35 structure: by reducing constant grant-writing cycles and providing longer support, investigators can invest more time in training, building a supportive lab environment, and helping develop a diverse pipeline of scientists. NINDS explicitly links a diverse scientific workforce to innovation, competitiveness, stronger learning environments, and higher-quality research outcomes.
From an eligibility standpoint, the funding opportunity is broad and is open to many organization types, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as eligible tribal governments and tribal organizations. The notice also calls out categories of institutions and organizations that NIH often encourages to apply, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations and certain federal agencies.
Foreign eligibility is limited in a specific way. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed, which generally means certain parts of the research may be carried out outside the U.S. under NIH rules when well-justified and appropriately managed, even though the applicant organization itself must be domestic.
Administrative details from the listing include the opportunity title Research Program Award (R35 Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number RFA-NS-22-038, agency National Institutes of Health (NIH) with NINDS as the sponsoring institute, and CFDA number 93.853 (neuroscience-related NIH assistance). The funding instrument is a grant under the Health activity category. The original closing date shown is 2024-07-15, which is the key deadline reference in the provided source information. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided fields, so applicants typically need to consult the full announcement for details on budget expectations, scope, and any institute-specific limits or guidance.
In plain terms, this R35 is meant for investigators who already have a strong NINDS-supported track record and who would benefit from consolidating support into a single, longer award that backs their overall program. The tradeoff for that flexibility is the expectation of a coherent, high-impact NINDS-aligned research vision and a commitment to strong research stewardship, including mentoring and fostering a productive and inclusive laboratory environment.Apply for RFA NS 22 038
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Program Award (R35 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 2022-04-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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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FAQs: NINDS Research Program Award (R35, Clinical Trial Optional) - RFA-NS-22-038
What is the NINDS Research Program Award (R35, Clinical Trial Optional)?
The NINDS Research Program Award (R35, Clinical Trial Optional) is a grant mechanism intended to provide NINDS-funded investigators with longer-term, more flexible support for their overall research program. Instead of funding one narrowly defined project with fixed specific aims, the R35 supports a broader program of research so the PD/PI can adapt as new findings, technologies, or opportunities emerge.
What is the main goal of this award?
The main goal is to create a more stable funding environment that reduces the administrative burden of maintaining multiple overlapping grants. The award is designed to help investigators spend less time writing and managing multiple grant applications and more time conducting research, pursuing ambitious or higher-risk directions, and mentoring trainees in alignment with the NINDS mission.
How is this R35 different from a traditional research project grant?
This R35 focuses on supporting an investigator's broader research program rather than a single, tightly scoped project with rigid aims. It is meant to give the PD/PI room to adjust the research direction over time while maintaining a coherent program that fits within the NINDS mission area.
How long can the R35 provide support?
RPA support can be provided for up to 8 years, offering longer-term stability compared with many other grant mechanisms.
How is the award level or budget determined?
The award level is generally tied to the PD/PI's recent NINDS funding history. The announcement references a detailed budgeting approach in Part 2, Section II (as cited in the provided information).
Does the application need to include a clinical trial?
No. The funding opportunity is described as "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning clinical trial activities may be proposed if appropriate for the research program, but a clinical trial is not required.
Can applicants propose clinical trial activities under this opportunity?
Yes. Because it is "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants may include clinical trial activities when they make sense for the program, even though they are not mandatory.
What kind of research is this award intended to support?
The award is intended to support ambitious, longer-horizon neuroscience research aligned with the NINDS mission. It is also positioned to enable investigators to explore higher-risk or ground-breaking directions while maintaining strong stewardship of the overall research program.
How important is alignment with the NINDS mission?
Alignment with the NINDS neuroscience and neurological disorders mission area is central. Research that falls outside the NINDS mission, or that would typically be supported by another NIH Institute or Center, is not intended to be supported through this mechanism. Applicants should be prepared to show that the core themes of their research program clearly align with NINDS priorities.
Is the R35 intended to fund work outside the NINDS mission area?
No. The opportunity emphasizes that activities outside the NINDS mission or more appropriately supported by another NIH Institute or Center are not intended to be funded through this mechanism.
Why does NINDS emphasize mentoring and workforce development in this program?
The opportunity highlights mentorship as a meaningful benefit of the R35 structure. By reducing frequent grant-writing cycles and providing longer support, investigators can devote more time to training students and postdoctoral researchers, building a supportive laboratory environment, and strengthening workforce development.
How does the opportunity address diversity and inclusion?
NINDS explicitly prioritizes improving diversity and inclusion in neuroscience and links a diverse scientific workforce to innovation, competitiveness, stronger learning environments, and higher-quality research outcomes. The R35 structure is presented as a way for investigators to invest more time in mentoring and developing a diverse pipeline of scientists.
Who is this opportunity intended for in practical terms?
In plain terms, the R35 is meant for investigators who already have a strong NINDS-supported track record and would benefit from consolidating support into a single, longer award that backs their overall program. The expectation is a coherent, high-impact, NINDS-aligned research vision along with strong research stewardship, including mentoring and fostering a productive and inclusive lab environment.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
The opportunity is open to many organization types, including public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special districts). Eligible tribal governments and tribal organizations are also included.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are listed as eligible organization types in the provided information.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes, for-profit organizations are eligible except for small businesses being listed separately. The provided information specifies "for-profit organizations (other than small businesses)" as an eligible category, and also lists small businesses as eligible.
Are nonprofits eligible, and do they need 501(c)(3) status?
Nonprofits are eligible, and they may apply with or without 501(c)(3) status based on the categories listed in the provided information.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligibility includes state governments, county governments, city/township governments, and special district governments, as well as eligible tribal governments.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility section includes eligible tribal governments and tribal organizations.
Does NIH encourage applications from specific institution types?
Yes. The notice calls out several categories of institutions and organizations NIH often encourages to apply, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also mentions faith-based or community-based organizations and certain federal agencies.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply as the applicant organization?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-U.S. institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization for this opportunity.
Can a U.S. organization apply if it has a non-domestic component?
The provided information states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are foreign components allowed at all under this opportunity?
Yes. "Foreign components" (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. This generally means certain parts of the research may be conducted outside the U.S. under NIH rules when well-justified and appropriately managed, even though the applicant organization must be domestic.
What is the funding opportunity number for this R35?
The funding opportunity number is RFA-NS-22-038.
Which agency and institute sponsor this opportunity?
The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the sponsoring institute is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 93.853.
What is the funding instrument and activity category?
The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Health.
What is the deadline listed in the provided information?
The original closing date shown is 2024-07-15.
Does the provided information list an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided fields do not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. The provided information indicates applicants typically need to consult the full announcement for details on budget expectations, scope, and any institute-specific limits or guidance.
What is the main tradeoff of the flexibility offered by the R35?
The flexibility of supporting an overall program (rather than a single set of fixed aims) comes with expectations: a coherent, high-impact research vision aligned with NINDS priorities, plus strong research stewardship, including mentoring and fostering a productive and inclusive lab environment.
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