CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 030

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 030

The CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity that supports basic, non-clinical-trial research focused on toxic chemical threats that impact the nervous system. The program sits within the CounterACT initiative, which is aimed at improving the nations preparedness and response capabilities for chemical emergencies, whether those events stem from deliberate attacks (for example, chemical warfare agents used in terrorism) or from accidental releases tied to industrial manufacturing, storage, or transportation. The emphasis in this specific announcement is on chemicals with primary or secondary neurologic effects, meaning the nervous system may be the main target of toxicity or may be affected as part of broader systemic poisoning.

The scientific purpose of the opportunity is to generate foundational data that clarifies how these harmful chemicals injure the nervous system and how that injury unfolds over time. NIH is looking for projects that can illuminate mechanisms of toxicity, identify previously underappreciated or newly emerging manifestations of exposure, and point to new targets that could eventually be used for medical countermeasure development. In practical terms, that can include understanding molecular and cellular pathways disrupted by exposure, determining why certain neural circuits or cell types are particularly vulnerable, defining biomarkers or mechanistic signatures that could improve diagnosis or triage, and uncovering intervention points that might support future therapeutics. The central idea is that strong basic research is needed to enable smarter antidotes, neuroprotective strategies, or other countermeasures down the road, even though the work funded here is not a clinical trial.

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism, which generally supports discrete, hypothesis-driven research projects led by an investigator or investigative team. It is explicitly designated "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so applicants need to keep the proposed activities within the boundaries of basic or preclinical research rather than testing interventions in human participants as clinical trials. Projects can still be highly translational in the sense of identifying therapeutic targets or generating data that informs countermeasure development, but they must not cross into clinical trial territory under NIH definitions for this particular notice of funding opportunity.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; 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; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The opportunity is also open to public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The notice also 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); eligible federal government agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations; and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the announcement places clear restrictions on foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) 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, which typically means a U.S.-based applicant may include certain foreign collaborations or performance sites when well-justified and consistent with NIH policy, without the foreign organization serving as the primary applicant.

Key administrative details included in the source information are that the funding instrument is a grant under a discretionary opportunity category, and the funding activity category is health. The opportunity number is PAR-24-030, and it is administered by the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.853 and 93.855. The listed award ceiling is $300,000, and the original closing date provided is 2026-10-16. The posting (creation) date is 2024-06-20. Overall, this announcement is designed for investigators who can contribute rigorous, mechanistic neuroscience and toxicology research that improves understanding of neurologic injury from high-consequence chemicals and lays groundwork for future medical countermeasures.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.853, 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-16. (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 $300,000.00 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 PAR 24 030

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: