Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) | PAR 23 046

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 046

Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) is an NIH research grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-23-046) aimed at pushing the state of the art in human cell-derived microphysiological systems (MPS), often described as advanced in vitro "tissue" or "organ" models. The central goal is to support projects that build next-generation nervous system MPS platforms and companion assays that more faithfully reproduce the real-world architecture and physiology of the human nervous system than what is generally achievable today. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for engineered experimental systems that better capture the structural complexity and functional behavior of neural tissues, so that future researchers can study how the nervous system develops, operates, and changes with aging, both in healthy conditions and in disease contexts.

A key emphasis in the announcement is fidelity: applicants are encouraged to design models that move beyond simplified or overly reductionist approaches and instead recreate aspects of complex nervous system organization. That can include improved representation of multi-cell type interactions, more realistic tissue organization, and measurable functional outputs that align more closely with human neurobiology. Alongside building the MPS itself, the FOA explicitly includes "related assays," meaning the tools and measurement strategies needed to validate, characterize, and use these systems effectively. The expectation is that the funded work will lay the groundwork for future studies rather than being limited to proof-of-concept demonstrations, with platforms robust enough to enable investigations into development, function, and aging across normal and pathological states.

The mechanism is an R01, which is NIH's standard research project grant, and the FOA specifies "Clinical Trials Not Allowed," indicating proposals should not include clinical trial activities involving human participants assigned to interventions. The program sits under NIH's health research mission and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting that it may align with priorities spanning several NIH institutes or program areas tied to neurological and health-related research.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and institutions, such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. It also includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, as are for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. In addition, the FOA highlights additional eligible applicant categories 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). Faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are also explicitly named as eligible, signaling an intent to attract a wide range of capable teams with relevant technical and scientific expertise.

From the published opportunity metadata, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, the funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is health. The opportunity was created on 2022-11-10, and the listed original closing date is 2026-01-07. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data, which typically means applicants should consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for allowable costs, project period expectations, and any institute-specific budgeting considerations tied to this announcement.

Overall, this FOA is essentially a call to engineer more realistic, human-relevant nervous system MPS platforms and the assays needed to verify and use them, with the explicit intent that these improved models will become enabling technologies for future research on nervous system development, function, aging, and disease, without involving clinical trial work.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engineering Next-Generation Human Nervous System Microphysiological Systems (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-11-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-07. (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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