Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-06-08. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If you've engineered a biomedical tool or method and need ~$300k over two years to prove it works before scaling, this NIH program funds exactly that stage.
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What this is
The Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) program supports innovative engineering solutions that improve quality, speed, efficacy, cost, accessibility, or operability of biomedical research and clinical care. Applicants propose exploratory projects to test feasibility and utility of new capabilities or enhancements—ranging from basic research tools to clinical care delivery systems. This is not appropriate for clinical trials but is ideal for pre-clinical validation, prototype development, and proof-of-concept work in bioengineering.
Who can apply
Extremely broad: universities, nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), small businesses, for-profit companies, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and others are all eligible. Solo researchers typically apply through their institution; independent for-profits and small businesses can apply directly.
Eligible applicant types
- City or township governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Independent school districts
- County governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- State governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- 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
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Special district governments
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 biomedical innovation · pre-clinical research tools · clinical care delivery solutions · nci funding · proof of concept 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.