National Institutes of Health logo
NIH Phase 1 Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R61)

Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE): Assay Development and Neurotherapeutic Agent Identification

Funds building the assays and running the screens that find drug candidates for neurological disease — the on-ramp to NIH's Blueprint network.

IGNITE is a set of NIH awards designed to get a project to the starting line of a bigger translational programme. This one covers the earliest stretch.

It funds developing in vitro and ex vivo assays, then running iterative screening to identify and characterise potential therapeutic agents for neurological or neuromuscular disorders.

The destination is explicit and worth knowing before you star

Developing in vitro and ex vivo assays and conducting iterative screening to identify and characterise potential therapeutic agents for neurological or neuromuscular disorders, advancing a project to the point where it meets the entry criteria for the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network or another translational programme.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.20 Oct 2027
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.26 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$750K

Sign up free to see the funding breakdown

Sign up free to see the industries in scope

Sign up free to see the full eligibility

Sign up free to see how to apply

Sign up free to see what you submit

Sign up free to see how they score you

Sign up free to see the timeline

Sign up free to see where teams trip up

Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: PAR-25-059Source: www.grants.gov