Novel Approaches to Enhance Animal Stem Cell Research (R21)

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to encourage the submission of applications for research to enhance animal stem cells as model biological systems. Innovative approaches to isolate, characterize and identify toti-potent and multi-potent stem cells from nonhuman biomedical research animal models, as well as to generate reagents and techniques to characterize and separate those stem cells from other cell types is encouraged. Studies involving human subjects are not allowed under this FOA. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research may vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award may also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-07-303, that solicits applications under the R01 grant mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Budget and Project Period: The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed two years. Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year.The R21 is not renewable. Eligible Organizations: Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Hispanic-serving Institution; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization); Small Business; For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business).