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

Funds developing an assay and screening to identify a therapeutic agent, ahead of characterisation and efficacy testing on it.

Between cyclesNational Institutes of HealthGlobal

Before any therapeutic agent can be tested for efficacy, someone has to build the assay that can find it and screen enough candidates to identify one worth testing.

This half of the IGNITE pair funds that earlier stage: developing in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo assays and running screening efforts to identify and characterise potential therapeutic agents — small molecules or biologics — for disorde

Development of in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo assays and screening efforts to identify and characterise potential small-molecule or biologic therapeutic agents, for disorders within participating institutes' missions or for non-opioid analgesics with little or no addiction liability under the NIH HEAL initiative, with assays built on New Approach Methodologies where appropriate.

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.30 Sept 2026
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.

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: PAR-26-058Source: www.grants.gov