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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the CCRP Initiative CounterACT R21 (PAR-25-114) funding opportunity?

PAR-25-114 is an NIH funding opportunity under the Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) program that supports Translational Exploratory/Developmental Research Projects using the R21 mechanism. Its purpose is to accelerate early-stage, translational work that can lead to new medical countermeasures (MCMs) for people harmed by acute exposure to highly toxic chemicals.

What is the overall goal of this opportunity?

The goal is to support treatment-focused strategies that could reduce serious illness or prevent deaths after a sudden chemical exposure event. The exposure event may result from a deliberate attack (such as terrorism) or from an accidental release connected to industrial manufacturing, storage, or transportation.

What types of chemical threats are within scope?

The chemical threat scope is broad and includes classic chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, pesticides, and ultra-potent synthetic opioids.

What kind of research does this NOFO emphasize?

This NOFO emphasizes translational exploratory and developmental research. Projects should be positioned to move beyond basic discovery and directly support identification, early testing, and practical advancement of candidate interventions toward use as medical countermeasures.

What makes a project competitive under this R21?

Competitive projects are expected to generate concrete, decision-enabling preliminary data that de-risks the next development step. Examples described in the opportunity include early evidence of efficacy in relevant models, proof-of-concept for a therapeutic approach, or initial preclinical development results that support further investment.

Are only brand-new drugs or biologics eligible for support?

No. The NOFO supports discovery and validation of novel molecular entities or biologics, but it is not limited to entirely new compounds. Applicants may also propose new treatment strategies that repurpose already FDA-approved products or evaluate combinations of interventions, provided the rationale is grounded in established mechanisms of action and the work clearly advances the countermeasure toward practical use.

Can projects propose repurposing FDA-approved products?

Yes. Repurposing FDA-approved products is explicitly described as an allowable strategy, as long as the proposal is mechanism-grounded and the studies clearly move the candidate countermeasure forward in a practical, translational way.

Can projects propose combination therapies or multiple interventions?

Yes. Testing combinations of interventions is described as within scope when supported by a clear rationale based on established mechanisms of action and when the work advances the candidate countermeasure toward practical use.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. Clinical trials are not allowed under this NOFO. Proposed studies must remain on the preclinical and translational development side and must not include interventional clinical trials enrolling human participants.

What stage of work is this R21 intended to support?

As an R21, it is intended to support shorter, higher-impact exploratory projects that generate key feasibility and translational data, rather than fully mature development programs.

What outcomes are expected at the end of an awarded project?

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.

What is the application deadline for PAR-25-114 based on the provided information?

The supplied administrative details list an application deadline (OriginalClosingDate) of 2025-05-30.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The provided information lists an award ceiling of $275,000.

Is the expected number of awards specified?

No. The supplied data states that the expected number of awards is not specified.

Is this a mandatory or discretionary grant program?

The supplied information describes this as a discretionary NIH grant program.

Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The listing references multiple CFDA numbers: 93.113, 93.279, 93.846, 93.853, 93.855, and 93.867. These reflect the multi-institute nature of CounterACT-related work across NIH components.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and government entities. Examples listed 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.

Are any additional institution types highlighted as eligible?

Yes. The NOFO highlights additional eligible 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.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

No. The NOFO explicitly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Can a U.S. organization apply if part of the work will be done by a non-domestic component of the organization?

No. The NOFO explicitly states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, so applicants must ensure the applicant organization and the work’s organizational components are U.S.-based.

What kinds of projects are a best fit for this opportunity?

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.

What should strong applications clearly connect and justify?

Strong applications will typically connect a clearly defined threat and exposure context to a specific treatment approach, explain why the approach should mitigate acute toxicity-driven morbidity or mortality, and propose 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.

What kinds of deliverables does the opportunity expect from an R21-style proposal?

Applicants are advised to plan around typical R21 intent: targeted aims, measurable translational milestones, and deliverables that clearly justify the next stage of countermeasure development.