Advancing Our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptome (R21) | PAR 17 152

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 152

Advancing Our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptome (R21) (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-17-152) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to spark exploratory, early-stage research on the brain "epitranscriptome," meaning the chemical modifications that occur on RNA molecules. The central idea behind the program is that RNA is not just a passive messenger between DNA and proteins; it can be chemically modified in ways that influence how long RNAs last, where they travel in the cell, how efficiently they are translated into protein, and how they interact with other molecules. In the brain, where cells must rapidly adapt to activity, experience, and environment, these RNA modifications are increasingly recognized as an important layer of regulation for both coding RNAs (that make proteins) and noncoding RNAs (that often control gene expression and cellular behavior).

The scientific focus of the initiative is to encourage studies that clarify what these modified RNAs actually do in the nervous system and how they shape neurobiological and behavioral processes that are relevant to mental health and substance use disorders. A major emphasis is placed not only on the RNA marks themselves, but also on the proteins that control them: "writers" that install specific RNA modifications, "erasers" that remove them, and "readers" that recognize these marks and translate them into downstream functional effects. The opportunity is therefore aimed at building a clearer, mechanistic understanding of how RNA modification systems operate in brain cells and circuits, and how they may contribute to normal brain function as well as disease-relevant processes linked to psychiatric conditions and addiction.

This funding announcement uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which generally supports exploratory or developmental projects where the goal is to test new concepts, generate preliminary data, or open up new research directions rather than to fund a large, fully mature research program. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, reflecting the small, proof-of-concept nature typical of R21 projects. The opportunity falls under health and education-related funding activity categories, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.279, indicating its placement within NIH program areas relevant to mental health and drug abuse research.

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, covering many types 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (when not operating as institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, eligible federal agencies, and foreign (non-U.S.) entities. This wide eligibility suggests NIH is trying to stimulate innovation from many sectors and encourage participation from institutions serving underrepresented communities, as well as enabling international collaboration where scientifically justified.

Key administrative details provided in the source include an original closing date of 2020-05-07 and a creation date of 2017-02-03. While the closing date indicates the specific application window referenced in the source has passed, the opportunity description still clearly communicates the program intent: accelerate discovery about RNA modifications and RNA-modifying proteins in the brain, and connect these molecular mechanisms to fundamental neurobiology and behavior in ways that can inform understanding of mental and substance use disorders.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptome (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.279.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-02-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (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 $200,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 17 152

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