Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 333
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity "Understanding the Early Development of the Immune System" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-333) is an R01 research grant aimed at supporting basic and translational studies focused on how the immune system forms and matures at the very earliest stages of life. The central scientific interest is the period when the fetal and newborn immune system is being established, and how signals and exchanges between the mother and fetus influence that process. The announcement emphasizes both humoral communication (such as antibodies, cytokines, hormones, metabolites, and other soluble factors) and cellular communication (such as trafficking or interaction of immune cells, placental immune processes, and other cell-mediated pathways). The underlying goal is to generate clearer, mechanistic understanding of the maternal-fetal interface and early immune programming, including how these early-life events may shape immune development trajectories that matter later for health and disease.
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven projects with a defined research plan and measurable aims. The FOA is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which means applicants should not propose studies that meet NIH definitions of a clinical trial (for example, prospective assignment of human participants to an intervention to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes). Appropriate projects would generally include laboratory-based, observational human studies that do not involve intervention assignment, animal or model-system studies, and other mechanistic approaches that examine early immune development and maternal-fetal interactions without introducing a clinical intervention. The activity category is listed under Health, Income Security and Social Services, with CFDA number 93.865, reflecting its alignment with NIH biomedical research priorities.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and includes state, county, city/township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The FOA also allows nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. The announcement further highlights a range of additional eligible applicant types, including 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, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.
At the same time, the FOA places strict limits on foreign involvement. While it mentions "Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations)" in an eligibility list, it then clarifies that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In practical terms, the applicant organization must be domestic, and the work proposed under the award must not include foreign components as part of the project structure.
Key administrative details included in the source information are that the agency is the National Institutes of Health, the opportunity category is discretionary, and the funding instrument type is a grant. The original closing date listed is December 5, 2019, and the record creation date is October 25, 2017. An award ceiling of $300,000 is provided in the source data, which suggests an upper bound on funding under certain budgeting assumptions, although NIH awards can be influenced by institute-specific policies, project scope, and the final negotiated budget. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided text.
Overall, this FOA is geared toward researchers seeking to explain, at a mechanistic level, how immune development begins and how maternal biology and the maternal-fetal environment shape that development. Competitive applications would typically be expected to articulate a clear biological rationale, identify the relevant early developmental window or maternal-fetal process being studied, and use rigorous methods capable of linking maternal-fetal communication pathways to measurable features of immune maturation, all while staying firmly outside the clinical trial category.Apply for PAR 18 333
- The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Understanding the Early Development of the Immune 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): 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-12-05. (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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and funding opportunity number of this NIH grant?
The opportunity is titled "Understanding the Early Development of the Immune System" and the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) is PAR-18-333.
Which agency is offering this grant?
The funding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of funding mechanism is used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects with a defined research plan and measurable aims.
Is this opportunity a grant or a contract?
The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary.
What is the scientific focus of this FOA?
The FOA supports basic and translational studies aimed at understanding how the immune system forms and matures at the earliest stages of life, particularly during fetal and newborn periods when immune development is being established.
What time window of immune development is emphasized?
The central scientific interest is the period when the fetal and newborn immune system is being established, including the earliest stages of immune programming influenced by the maternal-fetal interface.
What is meant by the maternal-fetal interface in this FOA?
In this announcement, the maternal-fetal interface refers broadly to the biological environment and interactions between the mother and fetus that may shape early immune development, including both soluble-factor signaling and cell-mediated processes.
What types of maternal-fetal communication does the FOA highlight?
The FOA emphasizes two broad categories: humoral communication (soluble factors) and cellular communication (cell-mediated pathways and interactions).
What counts as humoral communication under this announcement?
Examples listed include antibodies, cytokines, hormones, metabolites, and other soluble factors exchanged or signaled between mother and fetus.
What counts as cellular communication under this announcement?
Examples listed include trafficking or interaction of immune cells, placental immune processes, and other cell-mediated pathways that influence early immune programming.
What is the overall goal of the research supported by this FOA?
The goal is to generate clearer mechanistic understanding of early immune programming at the maternal-fetal interface, including how early-life events may shape immune development trajectories that matter later for health and disease.
Does this FOA allow clinical trials?
No. The FOA is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants should not propose studies that meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial.
What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean in practical terms?
Applicants should not propose research that involves prospective assignment of human participants to an intervention in order to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes.
What kinds of studies are described as appropriate for this opportunity?
Appropriate projects generally include laboratory-based studies, observational human studies that do not involve intervention assignment, animal or model-system studies, and other mechanistic approaches focused on early immune development and maternal-fetal interactions.
Can observational human research be included?
Yes. The FOA indicates that observational human studies are generally appropriate as long as they do not involve assigning participants to an intervention (i.e., they must stay outside the NIH clinical trial definition).
Can animal or model-system research be included?
Yes. The FOA indicates animal or model-system studies and other mechanistic approaches are generally appropriate.
Who is eligible to apply within the United States?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations, such as state, county, city/township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; and various tribal and housing authorities listed in the announcement.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are eligible (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), based on the eligibility list provided in the opportunity description.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are small businesses eligible to apply?
Yes. Small businesses are explicitly listed among eligible applicant types.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed among eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible. The announcement also highlights tribal governments that are not federally recognized among additional eligible applicant types.
Are tribal organizations that are not federally recognized eligible?
Yes. Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are included in the eligibility information provided.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are highlighted among additional eligible applicant types.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are specifically highlighted among additional eligible applicant types.
Are minority-serving institutions included in the eligible applicant types?
Yes. The eligibility information highlights Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are highlighted among additional eligible applicant types.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. Although "Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations)" is mentioned in an eligibility list, the FOA clarifies that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-domestic (foreign) component in the project?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed.
What does the FOA say about foreign components?
It states that foreign components are not allowed, and that the work proposed under the award must not include foreign components as part of the project structure.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 93.865.
What activity category is listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed under Health, Income Security and Social Services.
What is the listed award ceiling?
The source information provides an award ceiling of $300,000.
Does the award ceiling guarantee the maximum amount an applicant can receive?
No guarantee is stated. The source notes the ceiling suggests an upper bound under certain budgeting assumptions, and that NIH awards can be influenced by institute-specific policies, project scope, and the final negotiated budget.
Is the expected number of awards provided?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided information.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is December 5, 2019.
What is the record creation date for this opportunity?
The record creation date listed is October 25, 2017.
What would a competitive application generally be expected to include?
Based on the description, competitive applications would typically articulate a clear biological rationale, identify the relevant early developmental window or maternal-fetal process being studied, and use rigorous methods capable of linking maternal-fetal communication pathways to measurable features of immune maturation, while remaining outside the clinical trial category.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health, Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01) - Clinical Trial Not Allowed
Previous opportunity: Innovative Approaches or Technologies to Investigate Regional, Structural and Functional Heterogeneity of CNS Small Blood and Lymphatic Vessels (R01)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 18 333
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 18 333) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Outcome Measures for Use in Treatment Trials of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (R01- Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 039 Funding Number: PAR 18 039 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Advancing Understanding, Prevention, and Management of Infections Transmitted from Women to their Infants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 031 Funding Number: PA 18 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Studies at Periviable Gestation (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 053 Funding Number: PA 18 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Studies at Periviable Gestation (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 036 Funding Number: PA 18 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Understanding, Prevention and Management of Infections Transmitted from Women to their Infants (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 092 Funding Number: PA 18 092 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Studies at Periviable Gestation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 097 Funding Number: PA 18 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 033 Funding Number: PA 18 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Safety and Outcome Measures of Pain Medications Used in Children and Pregnant Women (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 038 Funding Number: PA 18 038 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Safety and Outcome Measures of Pain Medications Used in Children and Pregnant Women (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 043 Funding Number: PA 18 043 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 045 Funding Number: PA 18 045 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 046 Funding Number: PA 18 046 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Safety and Outcome Measures of Pain Medications Used in Children and Pregnant Women (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 044 Funding Number: PA 18 044 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 343 Funding Number: PA 18 343 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Research to Advance the Understanding and Management of the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 091 Funding Number: PAR 18 091 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research to Advance the Understanding and Management of the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Children (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 094 Funding Number: PAR 18 094 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Multidisciplinary Research in Vulvodynia (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 089 Funding Number: PA 18 089 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Research in Vulvodynia (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 096 Funding Number: PA 18 096 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing the Science of Multipurpose Technology for the Prevention of HIV and Unintended Pregnancy (R41/R42) Apply for RFA HD 18 034 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 034 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research to Advance the Understanding and Management of the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Children (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 095 Funding Number: PAR 18 095 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Advancing the Science of Multipurpose Technology for the Prevention of HIV and Unintended Pregnancy (R43/R44) Apply for RFA HD 18 033 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 033 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 18 333", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.