Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 038
This National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), PAR 20-038, supports R01 research grants focused on creating and testing new PET or SPECT radioligands that can be used to image targets in the human brain. The core idea is to push promising imaging agents far enough along the development pipeline that they are ready for real clinical research use, especially as biomarkers that can aid drug discovery and deepen understanding of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The FOA emphasizes projects that generate the kinds of practical, decision-making data needed to justify advancing a candidate ligand into human studies, rather than stopping at purely exploratory chemistry or early laboratory proof-of-concept.
The work supported under this announcement centers on the development and evaluation of novel radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). That typically includes activities such as optimizing ligand properties (selectivity, affinity, brain penetration, metabolic stability, and signal-to-noise characteristics), demonstrating that the tracer binds to the intended biological target in a way that is measurable and interpretable in the brain, and producing evidence that the tracer can serve as a useful biomarker in the context of CNS disease mechanisms or therapeutic development. A notable feature of the FOA is that it also welcomes the incorporation of pilot or clinical feasibility evaluations using previously collected preclinical data, meaning applicants can leverage existing datasets to strengthen the rationale and readiness of a ligand for translation into human imaging.
Because the goal is to enable clinical research utility, the studies are expected to produce a package of evidence that de-risks moving forward, such as data on performance in relevant biological models, reproducibility of imaging signals, and early indicators that the ligand will be robust enough for human brain imaging. While the scientific focus is on imaging ligands, the broader program intent is biomarker-driven: enabling measurement of molecular processes in vivo to support drug development (for example, target engagement, receptor occupancy, or pathway modulation) and to illuminate pathophysiological features of neurological or psychiatric illnesses.
The FOA uses the R01 mechanism and is listed as “Clinical Trial Optional,” which means applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The funding instrument is a discretionary grant under the NIH health research umbrella, with activity aligned to health-related research (CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.273). The original closing date shown in the source data is January 7, 2023, and the posting reflects an original creation date of January 7, 2020.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic and non-domestic organizations. Eligible applicants span federal, state, county, and municipal governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based and community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; non-federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). In practical terms, NIH is signaling that it wants strong, competitive proposals from many types of institutions, including those serving underrepresented communities and organizations outside the United States where relevant expertise exists.
Overall, this opportunity is aimed at teams that can combine radiochemistry, imaging science, and CNS biology to deliver radioligands that are not just interesting on paper, but ready to function as credible PET/SPECT biomarkers in human brain research, supporting both mechanistic studies of CNS disorders and the development of new therapeutics.Apply for PAR 20 038
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Development and Application of PET and SPECT Imaging Ligands as Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and for Pathophysiological Studies of CNS Disorders (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): 93.242, 93.273.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-01-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-01-07. (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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| Harmonization of Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) Genetic, Epidemiologic, and Clinical Data to Enhance Therapeutic Target Discovery (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 099 Funding Number: PAR 20 099 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,771,000 |
| Resource Networks for Protein Polymorphisms in Alzheimers Disease and its Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 21 012 Funding Number: RFA AG 21 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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| Support to the Kingdom of Eswatini Government Condom Program led by the Ministry of Health Apply for RFI 674 20 00002 Funding Number: RFI 674 20 00002 Agency: South Africa USAID-Pretoria Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
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