Research Innovations for Scientific Knowledge (RISK) for Skin and Rheumatic Diseases (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AR 19 012

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AR 19 012

The Research Innovations for Scientific Knowledge (RISK) for Skin and Rheumatic Diseases funding opportunity (RFA-AR-19-012) is an NIH/NIAMS grant mechanism designed to push high-risk, high-reward ideas in areas that fall within the NIAMS mission, especially skin and rheumatic diseases. The core purpose is to make space for projects that do not fit comfortably into more traditional NIH funding pathways because they are unconventional, controversial, premature, or simply too far outside current mainstream theories and practices. NIAMS is explicitly signaling that it wants applicants to pursue unusual observations, test imaginative hypotheses, explore creative concepts, and propose potentially paradigm-shifting lines of inquiry rather than incremental next steps.

This opportunity uses the R61/R33 phased innovation award structure. In practical terms, that means the project is intended to begin with an early, milestone-driven phase (R61) where the main goal is to establish feasibility, generate convincing proof-of-concept data, or resolve key uncertainties that make the work “risky.” If those predefined milestones are met, the award can transition to the second phase (R33), which supports a more expanded effort to develop the idea further. The phased design is meant to encourage bold concepts while still requiring clear go/no-go criteria that demonstrate whether the approach is working.

Scientifically, the FOA emphasizes disease-focused translational research. NIAMS invites studies that improve understanding of mechanisms underlying diseases or conditions relevant to skin and rheumatic disease areas, and it also welcomes projects aimed at developing or testing diagnostics, therapeutic agents, or preventive interventions. Importantly, the scope stops short of first-in-human work. Projects can move along the translational pipeline up to, but not including, initial human testing. Along the same lines, this FOA does not support clinical trials. Applications proposing clinical trials are not responsive to the announcement, so applicants need to keep the work in preclinical or non-trial translational stages (for example, mechanistic studies, target validation, biomarker development, assay or diagnostic development, and preclinical therapeutic testing).

From an applicant eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it places clear restrictions on foreign involvement: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them) are not allowed.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant program under the NIH, in the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.846. The funding opportunity was created on July 23, 2018, and the original closing date listed is January 9, 2020. The award ceiling shown in the source data is $250,000, and the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically NIAMS as the institute running the initiative.

Overall, the RISK (R61/R33) program is best viewed as a structured way to fund bold, translational skin and rheumatic disease research that might otherwise struggle to compete because it challenges prevailing assumptions or lacks the kind of extensive preliminary data normally expected. Applicants are expected to propose ideas that are genuinely innovative and potentially transformative, while also laying out practical milestones that can demonstrate whether the high-risk approach is paying off before the project scales into the later phase.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Innovations for Scientific Knowledge (RISK) for Skin and Rheumatic Diseases (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.846.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-07-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA AR 19 012

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