CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Translational Exploratory/Developmental Research Projects (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NIH's Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) program, funded under the Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP), seeks applications for translational research projects through Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-114. This program, administered by several NIH institutes including NINDS, NEI, NIAID, NIAMS, NIDA, and NIEHS, supports the development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) for acute chemical exposures. These exposures may result from terrorist attacks or accidental releases of toxic chemicals like warfare agents, industrial compounds, pesticides, or ultra-potent synthetic opioids. This initiative is aimed at generating novel MCMs that could be deployed by first responders and in clinical settings for civilian use, enhancing national preparedness for chemical emergencies. The CCRP program encourages proposals focusing on translational exploratory and early preclinical studies that address significant gaps in treating the acute effects of exposure to toxic chemicals. Research should aim to identify novel therapeutic approaches, repurpose FDA-approved drugs for new indications, and develop treatments that can be used in emergency and hospital settings. Only chemicals designated as "Chemicals of Concern" (CoC) by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be considered, and applicants are encouraged to contact program staff to confirm the chemical threat agents relevant to their research proposal. Projects eligible for funding under this program are those that provide data essential for advancing MCM development. Studies may include the development of in vitro or in vivo models for post-exposure effects, efficacy screenings, AI-based discovery of MCM strategies, and exploring new routes or regimens for already approved drugs to adapt them for mass-casualty scenarios. Proposals focused solely on basic research, environmental decontamination, analytical detection technologies, or studies that do not address practical use cases in emergency settings are not eligible for this funding. The program allows for a maximum direct cost budget of $275,000 for a two-year project period, with a cap of $200,000 for any single year. Applicants from various eligible organizations, including academic institutions, small businesses, nonprofits, and state and local governments, are invited to apply. Applicants must include letters from institutional biosafety officials confirming that the research is safe for personnel and the environment. Intellectual property (IP) plans must also be provided if the proposal involves a pre-identified MCM candidate, detailing IP ownership, patent filings, and commercialization strategies. Application submissions are due by May 30, 2025, and must comply with all NIH guidelines for electronic submission through ASSIST or Grants.gov. A letter of intent is recommended 30 days prior to the application deadline to help NIH assess workload and plan for the review process. Applications will be evaluated based on their scientific and technical merit, innovation, feasibility, and the research team’s expertise in chemical injury and countermeasure development. Evaluation criteria include the significance of the research in filling critical knowledge gaps, the novelty of the therapeutic approach, the scientific rigor of the design, and the feasibility of proposed methodologies. Proposals must clearly outline the emergency setting use of the MCM, addressing post-exposure treatment timing, route of administration, and adaptability to civilian use during chemical emergencies. Upon successful review, awards are expected to start in April 2026. Recipients are responsible for reporting on progress annually and must ensure that results, tools, and data are publicly accessible, as required by the NIH's Data Management and Sharing Policy. For questions about the program, researchers are encouraged to contact designated NIH scientific officers in each respective institute.