Technology Development for Single-Molecule Protein Sequencing (R21 Clinical Trial not allowed) | RFA HG 21 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HG 21 002

Technology Development for Single-Molecule Protein Sequencing (R21 Clinical Trial not allowed) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HG-21-002; CFDA 93.172) aimed at driving major leaps in technology for sequencing proteins at the single-molecule level. The central purpose is technology development rather than clinical evaluation, with the explicit restriction that clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. NIH is looking for projects that can catalyze significant advances in how protein sequences are read directly from individual molecules, pushing beyond incremental improvements and toward methods that can realistically become routine tools for biological and biomedical research.

The program is motivated by the idea that, over roughly the next five years, the field should be able to reach practical performance thresholds so that single-molecule protein sequencing can generate data at the scale, speed, cost, and accuracy needed for broad adoption. In practical terms, the FOA is seeking enabling technologies that could make protein sequencing more like a standard platform capability: producing large volumes of reliable sequence information quickly and affordably enough to support everyday use in studies of genome biology and function, as well as wider biomedical research applications. While the announcement does not spell out specific technical approaches in the provided excerpt, the emphasis is clearly on overcoming fundamental barriers that currently limit throughput, read accuracy, cost efficiency, and general usability.

The funding mechanism is the NIH R21, which is typically used to support exploratory or early-stage projects that can open new directions or demonstrate feasibility in a high-impact area. That fits the stated intent to "catalyze" major advances, meaning applicants are expected to propose bold, innovative technology development efforts rather than routine application of existing methods. Because the activity category is Health and the administering agency is NIH, the work is positioned as foundational technology that can ultimately accelerate discovery across many health-relevant research areas, even though the projects supported here should not be structured as clinical trials.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions when specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. In addition, the FOA highlights other eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities including foreign organizations. This wide eligibility signals an intent to attract diverse technical expertise, including academic labs, research institutes, startups, established companies, and mission-driven organizations.

Key administrative details from the provided record include an original closing date of 2022-12-01 and a creation date of 2021-07-09. The excerpt does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project period guidance, review criteria, and any required milestones or deliverables. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted NIH effort to accelerate the development of next-generation, single-molecule protein sequencing technologies that can become scalable, accurate, and cost-effective enough to be used routinely across genome biology and broader biomedical research, without involving clinical trial activities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Technology Development for Single-Molecule Protein Sequencing (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): 93.172.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-07-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-12-01. (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 RFA HG 21 002

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