Maximizing the Scientific Value of the NHLBI Biologic Biospecimen Repository: Scientific Opportunities for Exploratory Research (R21) | RFA HL 23 018

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 23 018

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Maximizing the Scientific Value of the NHLBI Biologic Biospecimen Repository: Scientific Opportunities for Exploratory Research (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HL-23-018). This announcement supports exploratory, early-stage projects that use biospecimen collections already stored in the NHLBI Biologic Specimen Repository. The core purpose is to get more scientific value out of existing, well-characterized samples by enabling researchers to test new ideas, generate initial findings, and build preliminary data that can later support larger, follow-on research applications. Projects must be aligned with the NHLBI mission, meaning they should be relevant to heart, lung, blood, and sleep-related research priorities.

This is an R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for exploratory or proof-of-concept work rather than large, fully mature research programs. The emphasis is on meritorious concepts that can be addressed efficiently using existing repository materials, allowing investigators to move quickly into hypothesis testing, biomarker discovery, method development, or other innovative analyses without needing to build new cohorts or collect new specimens. In practical terms, the opportunity is designed to encourage creative secondary uses of stored biospecimens, including questions that may not have been envisioned when the original samples were collected, as long as the work remains within NHLBI-relevant scientific scope.

Eligibility is broad across many types of U.S.-based organizations. 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that category); 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign participation is limited in a way that is common for NIH opportunities but important to read carefully. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain foreign collaborations or elements when justified and structured according to NIH policy, even though the applying institution itself must be domestic.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under health-related funding activity and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, and 93.839. The award ceiling listed in the provided source data is $75,000. The original closing date shown is 2024-12-10, and the FOA was created on 2022-02-23. Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted way to leverage existing NHLBI biospecimen resources to produce publishable early results, demonstrate feasibility, and strengthen the foundation for subsequent, larger-scale proposals that further advance NHLBI mission-driven science.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maximizing the Scientific Value of the NHLBI Biologic Biospecimen Repository: 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 2022-02-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-12-10. (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 23 018

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