Limited Competition: Exploratory CTSA Collaborative Innovation Awards (R21) | PAR 16 343

FAQs: Limited Competition: Exploratory CTSA Collaborative Innovation Awards (R21) - PAR 16-343

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the "Limited Competition: Exploratory CTSA Collaborative Innovation Awards (R21)" (PAR 16-343), a discretionary National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant designed to spark highly innovative, early-stage collaborative research within the NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program.

Which NIH grant mechanism does it use?

It uses the NIH R21 mechanism. R21 awards are typically intended for exploratory work, with an emphasis on testing bold ideas and generating early evidence rather than delivering a fully mature, large-scale program.

What is the main goal of the program?

The central goal is to assess the utility and feasibility of proposed innovations that could strengthen clinical and translational science, especially innovations that benefit or leverage CTSA program capabilities and partnerships.

What types of projects does this FOA aim to support?

The FOA targets collaborative, early-stage projects that explore new approaches, tools, methods, or models that could improve translational research processes and outcomes. The intent is to produce actionable findings about whether an innovation works in practice, is scalable, or is worth further investment.

What does "exploratory" mean in the context of this FOA?

"Exploratory" means the emphasis is on conceptually strong, high-impact ideas that can be evaluated within a limited scope and timeframe. Projects are expected to test feasibility and practical utility rather than deliver a fully developed, large-scale implementation.

Why is collaboration emphasized?

This FOA is collaborative by design and encourages teams to work across disciplines, institutions, or CTSA hubs to explore innovations. The collaboration structure is expected to be meaningful and integral to the project.

How does this opportunity relate to the CTSA program?

It is positioned within the NCATS CTSA program and is intended to fund innovations that benefit or leverage CTSA program capabilities and partnerships, strengthening clinical and translational science within that ecosystem.

What is the award ceiling?

The listed award ceiling is $200,000, reflecting a modest budget consistent with feasibility testing, prototyping, pilot data generation, or limited demonstrations of an approach.

What funding activity category and CFDA number are associated with this FOA?

This FOA sits within the health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA 93.350.

When was this FOA created, and what is its posted closing date?

The FOA was created on June 23, 2016, and the original closing date is shown as January 24, 2018. Based on those dates, this specific posting is historical.

If this posting is historical, what should interested applicants do?

Applicants interested in similar opportunities would typically look for a current reissue, related CTSA innovation announcements, or other NCATS/NIH mechanisms that support pilot and collaborative translational research.

Who is eligible to apply (in general terms)?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizational types commonly permitted under NIH grant programs, including many government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), and small businesses.

Which government entities are listed as eligible applicants?

Eligible government entities include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; and special district governments.

Are educational entities eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include independent school districts as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.

Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicant types.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments are also explicitly included.

Are public housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible.

Are certain institution types specifically highlighted as eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly 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); and U.S. territories or possessions.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted as eligible applicant categories.

Are federal agencies eligible?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are explicitly listed among the highlighted eligible applicant categories.

Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply as the applicant organization?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.

Are foreign components allowed in projects led by a U.S. applicant?

Yes. Foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed when scientifically justified and compliant with NIH rules, even though a foreign institution cannot serve as the primary applicant.

What kinds of results are expected from a competitive project under this FOA?

Projects are generally expected to generate actionable findings about feasibility and utility, such as whether the innovation works in practice, whether it could be scaled, and whether it warrants further investment.

What are examples of activities that fit the intended scope and budget?

Based on the described intent and the $200,000 award ceiling, the FOA aligns with feasibility testing, prototyping, pilot data generation, and limited demonstrations of a proposed approach.

How should applicants frame the innovation aspect?

Competitive projects under this type of FOA typically make a strong case for innovation and high impact, consistent with a high-risk/high-reward exploratory translational science experiment.

How should feasibility and utility be addressed in an application?

Projects are generally expected to define what "feasibility" and "utility" mean for the proposed innovation and to explain how those will be assessed within the limited R21 scope.

What is important about project planning and milestones for an R21 under this FOA?

Projects are typically expected to include clear, measurable milestones that can be achieved within the R21 budget and limited project scope, supporting a practical test of whether the innovation is workable and valuable.