Novel Tools and Devices for Animal Research Facilities and to Support Care of Animal Models (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 225

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 225

The NIH funding opportunity titled "Novel Tools and Devices for Animal Research Facilities and to Support Care of Animal Models (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-21-225) is an SBIR grant program aimed specifically at U.S. small business concerns that can create practical, innovative technologies for animal research environments. In plain terms, the government is looking for companies that can build new tools, devices, or equipment that make it easier and safer to work with laboratory animals, reduce day-to-day burdens in running animal facilities, and improve the quality and reliability of research that depends on animal models. The emphasis is strongly on solutions that have direct, real-world utility in animal care and facility operations, not just basic research ideas.

The core purpose of the announcement is twofold. First, it seeks innovations that directly improve animal welfare during research by making animal handling less stressful, less invasive, and more consistent. That can include devices that help with routine husbandry, procedures, monitoring, transport, restraint alternatives, enrichment approaches that are compatible with research needs, or tools that reduce variability introduced by inconsistent handling. Second, it targets facility-level improvements that strengthen the infrastructure and environmental conditions in animal research spaces. This includes equipment and systems that support better environmental control, sanitation, workflow, tracking, automation, and overall management of animal colonies and rooms. The underlying goal is to support biomedical and bio-behavioral research by improving both the living conditions of animal models and the operational backbone of the facilities that house them, which in turn can improve reproducibility and data quality.

This opportunity uses the SBIR funding mechanism, meaning it is structured around small business-led research and development with a strong expectation that the project can move toward a usable product. The listing references R43 and R44, which correspond to SBIR Phase I and Phase II. Phase I (R43) generally supports early feasibility, prototyping, and proof-of-concept work, while Phase II (R44) supports more advanced development, validation, and steps toward commercialization. Even if an application focuses on early-stage development, the program’s framing signals that NIH wants solutions that can be implemented in the real settings of animal research facilities, not just theoretical concepts. The announcement explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which means the proposed work should not involve clinical trials; the focus here is on tools and devices supporting animal research and animal facility operations rather than human clinical testing.

Eligibility is limited primarily to U.S. small businesses. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply under this FOA. However, the notice indicates that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in some cases. Practically, that means the applicant organization must be a qualifying U.S. small business, but certain limited project elements might be performed abroad if NIH policy allows and if the application provides appropriate justification and meets NIH requirements for foreign components.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant program under the National Institutes of Health, within the health funding activity category, and it is associated with CFDA number 93.351. The opportunity was created on April 30, 2021, and the original closing date listed is January 5, 2025. The source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would need to rely on the full FOA text and NIH SBIR budget rules and caps (which can vary by institute and by project needs) when shaping a realistic budget and scope.

Overall, PAR-21-225 is a product-oriented NIH SBIR opportunity for small businesses that can deliver enabling technologies for animal research: tools that improve the humane care and handling of animal models, systems that streamline animal facility management, and equipment that strengthens facility infrastructure and environmental conditions. The intended impact is both ethical and scientific: better welfare for research animals and better operational and experimental conditions that support high-quality, reproducible biomedical and behavioral research.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Novel Tools and Devices for Animal Research Facilities and to Support Care of Animal Models (R43/R44 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): 93.351.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-04-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.

Apply for PAR 21 225

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