Research on Bat Immunology (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 184

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 184

This grant opportunity, titled "Research on Bat Immunology (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-21-184), is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program in the health funding category (CFDA 93.855). It uses the R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for exploratory, early-stage, or proof-of-concept research projects that can open up new directions rather than fund large, long-term programs. As the title states, clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement, meaning the supported work is focused on preclinical, basic, and mechanistic research rather than testing interventions in humans.

The core purpose of the announcement is to fund research that builds a clearer picture of how bat immune systems work at both the cellular and molecular levels. The FOA is specifically aimed at characterizing the components of bat immunity and understanding protective immune mechanisms, including both innate immunity (the rapid, first-line defenses such as interferon signaling, pattern-recognition pathways, inflammatory responses, and antiviral restriction factors) and adaptive immunity (such as T cell and B cell responses, antibody development, immune memory, and antigen presentation). The emphasis is on bat species that have the potential to host zoonotic pathogens that can spill over into humans, reflecting the public health importance of bats as reservoirs for several virus families and the need to understand why bats can often carry pathogens with limited disease while still enabling transmission risks.

In practical terms, the research supported by this FOA would be expected to generate foundational immunology knowledge and tools relevant to bats, such as identifying key immune cell types and subsets, mapping immune gene expression and regulation, defining signaling pathways involved in antiviral defense, and clarifying how bats balance antiviral responses with inflammation control. Studies could also focus on comparative immunology, for example by contrasting immune features across different bat species, or by comparing bat immune responses to those of other mammals to identify mechanisms that might explain bat tolerance to infection or their capacity to host viruses. The overall public health rationale is that understanding bat immune protection and tolerance can improve scientific understanding of zoonotic emergence and potentially inform future strategies for prevention, surveillance, and countermeasure development, even though this particular FOA does not support human clinical testing.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or 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; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories as specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations are permitted to apply.

Key administrative details provided in the source include an original closing date of 2022-03-15 and a creation date of 2021-03-18. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as an NIH-supported, non-clinical, exploratory research grant focused on advancing the science of bat immunology to better understand immune mechanisms relevant to zoonotic infections and human health risk.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on Bat Immunology (R21 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): 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-03-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 21 184

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