Ancillary Studies to Ongoing Clinical Projects (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) 2026

The Ancillary Studies to Ongoing Clinical Projects funding opportunity, issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), is a forecasted grant program designed to support supplemental research that builds upon existing clinical studies. This funding initiative, expected to post in February 2026 under the opportunity number FOR-AR-25-006, seeks to enable researchers to conduct ancillary studies utilizing the data, biological samples, infrastructure, and patient cohorts already assembled through parent clinical studies. Although these parent studies may fall outside of NIAMS's primary mission, the proposed ancillary research must be consistent with NIAMS’s research agenda, which focuses on arthritis, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases. The goal of this grant is to provide an opportunity for researchers to develop collaborative, data-driven projects that make efficient use of existing resources. By facilitating secondary analysis or expanded study within current clinical trials or cohort studies, NIAMS aims to advance the understanding of disease mechanisms, improve patient outcomes, and explore new scientific questions that were not part of the original study scope. This opportunity encourages applications from researchers with domain expertise in NIAMS-related conditions, as well as those skilled in leveraging clinical research platforms. This opportunity will use the R01 grant mechanism and does not allow clinical trials as part of the proposed ancillary study. It is structured as a discretionary grant and is not a cost-sharing or matching program. A total of approximately $2,000,000 in funding is expected to be available, with up to four awards anticipated. However, specific award ceilings and floors are not provided in the forecast. The official solicitation is expected to be published on February 4, 2026, with applications due on April 6, 2026. Award notifications and project start dates are scheduled for December 4, 2026, aligning with fiscal year 2027 funding. The grant is open to a wide range of applicant types, including independent school districts, state and local governments, tribal entities (both federally recognized and other tribal organizations), public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and public housing authorities. This diverse eligibility reflects NIAMS’s intent to attract innovative ancillary study designs from various sectors of the research community. At this time, there are no additional deadlines such as Letters of Intent or Q&A submission periods. Because this is a forecasted opportunity, the application portal is not yet active, and the NIH is publishing the notice in advance to give potential applicants sufficient time to build collaborations and design studies. Researchers are encouraged to begin planning and engaging with potential clinical collaborators now to ensure that proposed studies are well-aligned with NIAMS’s mission and scientifically sound. For further information, interested parties may contact Dr. Heiyoung Park at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Dr. Park can be reached via phone at 301-827-5992 or by email at Heiyoung.Park@nih.gov. This forecasted opportunity offers a strategic funding avenue for scientists interested in expanding the scientific output of existing clinical studies while advancing the mission of NIAMS.