Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 243

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 22 243

The Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR-22-243) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to push forward biomedical solutions by bringing together expertise from the life sciences and the physical/engineering sciences. The core idea is to support small, collaborative teams that use a multidisciplinary bioengineering approach to tackle a clearly defined biomedical challenge. Projects are expected to do more than just propose a new concept; they should actively integrate, optimize, validate, translate, or otherwise speed up the real-world adoption of promising tools, methods, or techniques aimed at a specific basic, translational, or clinical research problem.

This opportunity is intentionally broad in terms of the kinds of research strategies it will support. Applications may be design-directed (focused on building or engineering a solution), developmental (iterating and improving a technology or approach), discovery-driven (using bioengineering to uncover new biological insights), or hypothesis-driven (testing defined scientific hypotheses with engineered tools or systems). What ties these approaches together is an emphasis on integrative bioengineering and on producing outcomes that move a field forward in a practical way, such as a better-validated platform, an optimized method, or a translational pathway that accelerates clinical or research uptake.

The award mechanism is an R01, which generally supports substantial, multi-year research projects, and the notice specifies that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants can propose either non-clinical-trial research or a clinical trial if it fits the project goals and meets NIH requirements. The funding activity categories listed for this opportunity fall under education and health, and the program aligns with multiple NIH CFDA numbers (93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, and 93.853), reflecting the cross-cutting nature of bioengineering across NIH institutes and centers.

Eligibility is expansive and includes a wide range of domestic applicants such as state, county, and city 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 (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types, including 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility is consistent with the program goal of encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and broad participation in advancing bioengineering-enabled biomedical research.

Key administrative details include the sponsoring agency (NIH), the funding instrument type (grant), and the original closing date listed as 2025-09-07. The opportunity record was created on 2022-09-08. The source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants should consult the full NIH announcement text and any institute-specific guidance to understand likely budget expectations and paylines. Overall, this opportunity is best suited to teams that can clearly demonstrate cross-disciplinary integration and can show a credible plan to refine and validate a tool or technique so it can be adopted more quickly and effectively in biomedical research or clinical practice.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.399, 93.853.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-09-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (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.

Apply for PAR 22 243

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