National Institutes of Health logo
NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant

Expanding the Target Landscape by Drugging the Undruggable

Funds early-stage work to find a method or agent that hits a human disease target considered undruggable.

OpenNational Institutes of HealthUnited States

Most drug discovery targets proteins that are already known to be reachable — a pocket a small molecule can bind, a receptor with a known ligand. This notice funds the harder problem: targets nobody has found a way to drug yet.

The ask has two parts, and both are required. Identify a human-disease-relevant target class that counts as undruggable. Then develop a method or agent that is selective f…

Early-stage, exploratory identification of a human-disease-relevant undruggable target class and development of a method or agent selective for one or more targets within it, moving beyond established therapeutic types. A clinical trial is not allowed.

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.17 Feb 2028
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.—

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-25-442Source: www.grants.gov