CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and specifically the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), invites applications under the Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research program. This initiative, titled “Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System,” supports fundamental mechanistic research on the toxicology of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial compounds that pose serious public health risks. The program is part of the broader NIH Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP), which coordinates research to improve preparedness and response to chemical emergencies affecting civilian populations. The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to advance basic scientific understanding of how specific Chemicals of Concern (CoC)—including organophosphates, anticoagulants, convulsants, and metabolic agents—impact the nervous system during acute exposure events. The research is expected to elucidate toxicity mechanisms, identify new biological markers, and uncover potential molecular targets that could guide future development of therapeutic countermeasures. Studies that explore both immediate and long-term neurological outcomes from single acute exposures will be prioritized, while research on chronic or environmental exposure will not be supported. Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S.-based entities: higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, small businesses, and governmental bodies at all levels, including state, local, and tribal governments. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, though U.S.-based applicants may include foreign components in their proposals. Applications must include appropriate biosafety assurances, particularly when working with restricted chemical agents. Collaborations with laboratories that already hold relevant safety certifications are strongly encouraged. The NIH expects to issue up to four awards totaling approximately $2 million in FY 2026, with direct costs capped at $300,000 per year for project periods of up to three years. Applications are limited to basic research only; clinical trials or efficacy studies of candidate medical countermeasures are not permitted under this announcement. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required. Applications will be reviewed based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, investigator expertise, and alignment with NIH program priorities. Applications must be submitted electronically through ASSIST, Grants.gov, or an approved institutional system. The earliest submission date is September 17, 2025, with a first due date of October 17, 2025, and a subsequent cycle closing October 16, 2026. Letters of intent are requested 30 days before the deadline. The anticipated review, council, and award timeline places earliest funding availability around July 2026. Principal contacts for scientific questions include Dr. Shardell Spriggs (NINDS) and Dr. Dave Yeung (NIAID), with grants management support available through the NINDS Chief Grants Management Officer.