CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Translational Exploratory/Developmental Research Projects (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 114

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 114

The CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Translational Exploratory/Developmental Research Projects (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (PAR-25-114) is an NIH grant mechanism aimed at accelerating early-stage, translational work that can lead to new medical countermeasures (MCMs) for people harmed by acute exposure to highly toxic chemicals. The overall focus is on treatment strategies that could reduce serious illness or prevent deaths after a sudden exposure event, whether that event stems from a deliberate terrorist attack or an accidental release tied to industrial manufacturing, storage, or transportation. The chemical threat space covered here is broad and includes classic chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, pesticides, and ultra-potent synthetic opioids.

The science emphasis is translational exploratory and developmental research, meaning the work should be positioned to move beyond basic discovery and directly support the identification, early testing, and practical advancement of candidate interventions. Competitive projects are expected to produce concrete, decision-enabling preliminary data that de-risks the next development step, such as early evidence of efficacy in relevant models, proof-of-concept for a therapeutic approach, or initial preclinical development that supports further investment. The NOFO explicitly supports work toward discovery and validation of novel molecular entities or biologics as candidate MCMs, but it is not limited to brand-new compounds. Applicants can also propose new treatment strategies that repurpose already FDA-approved products, or test combinations of interventions, as long as the rationale is grounded in established mechanisms of action and the work clearly advances the countermeasure toward practical use.

Because this is an R21 opportunity, it is designed to support shorter, higher-impact exploratory projects that generate key feasibility and translational data rather than fully mature development programs. The expected outcome is a strong platform for follow-on funding, particularly through the NIH CounterACT Cooperative Agreement program or other related NIH initiatives that can support larger, more advanced development efforts. Clinical trials are not allowed under this NOFO, so proposed studies must remain on the preclinical and translational development side rather than enrolling human participants in interventional trials.

Administrative details provided indicate this is a discretionary NIH grant program with an application deadline (OriginalClosingDate) of 2025-05-30 and an award ceiling of $275,000. The listing references multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.279, 93.846, 93.853, 93.855, 93.867), reflecting the multi-institute nature of CounterACT-related work across NIH components. While the expected number of awards is not specified in the supplied data, applicants should plan proposals around the typical R21 intent: targeted aims, measurable translational milestones, and deliverables that clearly justify the next stage of countermeasure development.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and government entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it explicitly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible, so applicants need to ensure the applicant organization and the work’s organizational components are U.S.-based.

In practical terms, this opportunity is best suited for teams that already have a plausible therapeutic concept and need support to produce early translational evidence that it can work against a relevant chemical threat scenario. Strong applications will typically connect a clearly defined threat and exposure context to a specific treatment approach, articulate why the approach should mitigate acute toxicity-driven morbidity or mortality, and propose a set of studies that can credibly generate go/no-go data for advancing the candidate countermeasure into more extensive development pathways supported by CounterACT or related programs.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Translational Exploratory/Developmental Research Projects (R21 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): 93.113, 93.279, 93.846, 93.853, 93.855, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-05-30. (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 $275,000.00 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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