Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-06-08. Official notice and agency instructions control.
Test your bioengineering innovation for clinical or research problems with NIH funding before committing to a larger grant, with eligibility spanning startups to academic institutions.
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What this is
This is an NIH R21 grant opportunity designed to fund exploratory and developmental bioengineering projects that demonstrate feasibility of innovative approaches to improve quality, speed, efficacy, cost, or accessibility in biomedical research and clinical care. The funding is appropriate for teams testing novel bioengineering solutions before committing to larger R01 grants. A broad range of applicant types are eligible, from small businesses and startups to universities and nonprofits, making this accessible to many organizational structures.
Who can apply
Extremely broad eligibility including small businesses, startups, nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), universities (public and private), tribal governments, and state/local government entities. No apparent geographic restrictions or company-size limits for small businesses.
Eligible applicant types
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Independent school districts
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- State governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
Full description — from the agency
Through this engineering-oriented Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to encourage submissions of exploratory/developmental Bioengineering Research Grant (EBRG) applications to demonstrate feasibility and potential utility of new capabilities or improvements in quality, speed, efficacy, operability, costs, and/or accessibility of solutions to problems in basic biomedical, pre-clinical, or clinical research, clinical care delivery, or accessibility.
Topics: bioengineering research grants · exploratory developmental research · clinical care delivery innovation · biomedical research solutions · nih r21 grants · feasibility studies biotech
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.