The Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional), offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aims to support innovative, early-stage bioengineering research projects that address significant challenges in biomedical, pre-clinical, or clinical research, clinical care delivery, or healthcare accessibility. This funding opportunity encourages exploratory research to demonstrate the feasibility or potential utility of new technologies or approaches, with a focus on advancing capabilities in quality, speed, efficacy, costs, or accessibility.

The R21 mechanism supports exploratory research without requiring extensive preliminary data, making it suitable for projects that involve novel and unproven approaches. Proposed research may address basic or applied biomedical challenges, including early-stage development, feasibility testing, and gathering of preliminary data. The focus is on engineering-oriented solutions that align with NCI’s mission to identify cancer risks, prevention strategies, and innovative methods for advancing cancer research and care. Applications proposing phase III clinical trials are excluded from this opportunity.

Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, non-profit and for-profit organizations, small businesses, local and state governments, tribal entities, and foreign organizations. International components of U.S. institutions are also eligible to apply. Applicants must complete all required registrations in advance, including through SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Individual applicants must demonstrate the necessary expertise and resources to execute the proposed research successfully. NIH encourages applications from underrepresented groups and women.

The funding opportunity has a combined budget limit of $275,000 in direct costs for up to two years, with no more than $200,000 requested in any single year. Applicants are expected to propose clear research strategies, including performance targets and feasibility testing plans, while addressing the significance, innovation, and rigor of the proposed work. Projects must demonstrate potential impact and describe plans to manage challenges and risks.

Applications will undergo scientific peer review based on three main factors: importance of the research, rigor and feasibility of the approach, and expertise and resources of the investigators. The evaluation will consider the project's potential to solve significant problems, deliver new capabilities, and address critical gaps in biomedical research or care. Successful projects must propose coherent plans to test feasibility and procure preliminary data for future development.

Applications are due on standard NIH due dates starting February 16, 2025, and continuing through October 2027. The review and award cycles include scientific merit reviews, advisory council reviews, and anticipated start dates ranging from December 2025 to July 2028. The full submission process, including adherence to NIH guidelines, must be completed through Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST. For further inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact designated NIH scientific, peer review, and grants management staff.

This funding opportunity promotes multidisciplinary approaches, encouraging collaborations between biomedical researchers and quantitative scientists, such as engineers and data scientists, to address complex biomedical challenges. Successful applications will demonstrate a credible strategy for achieving early-stage development milestones, with a clear focus on improving outcomes in cancer research, care delivery, or accessibility.