Maximizing the Scientific Value of the NHLBI Biorepository: Scientific Opportunities for Exploratory Research (R21) | RFA HL 17 022

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 17 022

The grant opportunity "Maximizing the Scientific Value of the NHLBI Biorepository: Scientific Opportunities for Exploratory Research (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HL-17-022) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement designed to encourage exploratory, early-stage research that uses existing biospecimen collections housed in the NHLBI Biologic Specimen Repository (often referred to as the NHLBI Biorepository). The central idea is to get more scientific value out of samples that have already been collected through NHLBI-supported studies by enabling researchers to ask new questions, apply newer laboratory methods, or test emerging hypotheses without having to launch an entirely new specimen collection effort. In practical terms, the FOA is meant to help investigators generate preliminary data that can support larger, more definitive follow-on grant applications later.

This is an R21 mechanism, which generally aligns with exploratory or developmental projects that are innovative and potentially high-impact but may still be at an earlier stage of evidence generation. The funded research must be relevant to the NHLBI mission, which broadly covers heart, lung, blood, and sleep-related conditions and the biology that underpins them. The scope is intentionally tied to the use of the NHLBI Biorepository's stored biospecimens, meaning proposals should be built around analyses of those existing samples rather than new specimen collection as the main focus. The emphasis on maximizing scientific value signals that NHLBI wants applicants to leverage these curated collections to answer important questions efficiently, including questions that could not have been addressed when the parent studies were originally conducted.

The opportunity sits within the health funding activity category and is listed under multiple CFDA numbers (93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839), reflecting its alignment with several NIH/NHLBI program areas. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary. Based on the provided source details, the listed award ceiling is $75,000, indicating a relatively modest budget level consistent with targeted, proof-of-concept analyses or pilot work that makes strong use of existing specimens and data resources.

Eligibility is broad and includes many standard applicant types across the public and private sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (when not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized entities. This breadth suggests an intent to expand access to the Biorepository and encourage a wide range of institutions, including those serving underrepresented communities, to propose creative and mission-relevant uses of the stored collections.

Restrictions related to foreign involvement are specific. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as applicant organizations. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible to apply, and foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. In other words, a U.S.-based applicant may include certain foreign components in the project if they meet NIH policy requirements, but a standalone foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.

Key administrative details provided include the NIH as the issuing agency and an original closing date of 2020-01-07, with a creation date of 2016-08-29. While the closing date indicates that this specific announcement window is historical based on the provided information, the summary of intent remains useful for understanding how NHLBI structured this R21 to stimulate exploratory analyses of Biorepository specimens and to help investigators build the preliminary evidence needed for future, larger-scale research proposals.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maximizing the Scientific Value of the NHLBI Biorepository: Scientific Opportunities for Exploratory Research (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA HL 17 022

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