Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
About
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to support investigators who have the interest and capability to join efforts for the discovery of in vivo chemical probes for novel brain targets. It is expected that applicants will have, in hand, the starting compounds (validated hits) for chemical optimization and bioassays for testing new analog compounds. Through this NOFO, NIH wishes to stimulate research in: Discovery and development of novel, small molecules for their potential use in understanding biological processes relevant to the missions of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Eye Institute (NEI), and/or National Institute on Aging (NIA) andDiscovery and/or validation of novel, biological targets that will inform studies of brain disease mechanisms. Emphasis will be placed on projects that provide new insight into important disease-related biological targets and biological processes.
The Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity designed for researchers and investigators with expertise in chemical probe development and neuroscience. This grant supports the discovery and development of novel small molecules targeting brain-relevant biological processes aligned with the missions of NIMH, NIDA, NEI, and NIA. Applicants should have validated hit compounds ready for chemical optimization and established bioassays for testing analog compounds. The program emphasizes projects that provide new insights into disease-related biological targets and mechanisms relevant to brain disorders and aging. This funding opportunity is ideal for research teams seeking to advance the understanding of nervous system function through innovative chemical probe discovery. International collaborations and non-domestic entities are eligible to apply, making this a globally accessible funding mechanism. Researchers should have preliminary data demonstrating the feasibility of their chemical optimization approach and clear relevance to NIMH, NIDA, NEI, or NIA research priorities.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
March 5, 2027
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Funding Range
Varies by funding cycle
Deadline
2027-03-05
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual
Best For
Academic researchers, research institutions, and investigators with chemical probe development expertise and preliminary validated compounds
Eligibility
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Investigators with interest and capability in chemical probe discovery for brain targets are eligible. Applicants must have validated hit compounds in hand and established bioassays for testing new analogs. Both domestic and international organizations may apply, including non-domestic components of U.S. organizations and foreign components as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. For complete eligibility requirements, refer to Section III of the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
How much funding does Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) provide?
Funding amounts vary by funding cycle. Please consult the official NIH NOFO and grants.gov for current funding levels and budgetary information.
How do I apply for Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Applications are submitted through the standard NIH application process via grants.gov. You must prepare an R01 grant application that addresses the scientific objectives outlined in the NOFO. The deadline for this funding opportunity is March 5, 2027. Visit the official NIH website and grants.gov for detailed application instructions, required forms, and submission guidelines.
What can Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding be used for?
Funding supports discovery and development of novel small molecules for understanding biological processes relevant to mental health, drug abuse, vision, and aging research. Projects should focus on discovering new biological targets and validating target relevance to brain disease mechanisms. The grant does not allow clinical trials, instead emphasizing fundamental chemical probe development and in vivo validation studies.
Last updated: July 5, 2026