Oocyte Mitochondrial Function in Relation to Fertility, Aging, and Mitochondrial Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 093

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 093

The grant opportunity "Oocyte Mitochondrial Function in Relation to Fertility, Aging, and Mitochondrial Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-093) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary research grant aimed at pushing forward new, potentially high-impact science on how mitochondria function within the oocyte (egg cell) and how mitochondrial problems contribute to infertility, age-related declines in egg quality, and the transmission of mitochondrial diseases to children. It is positioned as an exploratory/developmental R21 mechanism, which typically supports earlier-stage, higher-risk ideas that could open up new research directions or create enabling tools and approaches. The FOA explicitly invites innovative studies that might produce breakthroughs, including the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that substantially improve the field's ability to understand and address mitochondrial dysfunction in oocytes.

At the core of the announcement is the goal of building fundamental insight into what mitochondria do in the oocyte and what happens when they do not work properly, both immediately and over the long term. Mitochondria are central to energy production and cellular metabolism, and oocytes are especially sensitive to mitochondrial health because early embryonic development depends heavily on maternal mitochondrial contributions. The FOA targets research that clarifies the role of mitochondria in oocyte quality and developmental competence, connects mitochondrial dysfunction to fertility and reproductive aging, and examines how mitochondrial defects may be passed on to offspring. By emphasizing the long-term consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction, the announcement signals interest not only in whether fertilization or early development succeeds, but also in downstream health outcomes for resulting children.

A second major emphasis is on therapeutic or alternative approaches to address mitochondrial dysfunction in ways that could improve oocyte quality, fertility outcomes, and offspring health. This includes research that could lead to practical strategies for women experiencing infertility or subfertility linked to mitochondrial problems, as well as individuals affected by illnesses tied to mitochondrial dysfunction more broadly. The FOA is written to encourage translational thinking even in exploratory projects: applicants are encouraged to propose work that might identify actionable targets, test candidate interventions, or establish proof-of-concept for methods that restore or compensate for impaired mitochondrial function. Because the FOA is "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants may propose projects that include clinical trials, but they are not required to do so; non-clinical mechanistic, model-based, or preclinical studies remain within scope.

From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, this opportunity is categorized under Health, Income Security and Social Services and is associated with CFDA number 93.865. It is open to a wide range of applicant types, including state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and regional organizations, reflecting a broad intent to attract strong proposals from diverse institutional settings.

Key practical details included in the source information are that the award ceiling listed is $200,000 and that the original closing date noted was 2019-05-07, with a creation date of 2017-11-15. As written, the announcement is oriented toward supporting a portfolio of projects that are exploratory but potentially transformative, with the expectation that results will lay groundwork for future advances in reproductive medicine and mitochondrial disease prevention. Overall, the FOA seeks to accelerate research that links mitochondrial biology in oocytes to real-world reproductive outcomes, with the longer-term aim of delivering approaches that can improve fertility and protect the health of future offspring in cases where mitochondrial dysfunction is a driving factor.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Oocyte Mitochondrial Function in Relation to Fertility, Aging, and Mitochondrial Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-05-07. (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 $200,000.00 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.

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