Defining Lineage Plasticity and Endogenous Regeneration Capacity of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissues (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DE 20 007

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the official title of this NIH funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Defining Lineage Plasticity and Endogenous Regeneration Capacity of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissues (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is identified as RFA-DE-20-007.

Which agency is offering this grant?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?

It uses the NIH R21 mechanism.

What does the R21 mechanism generally support?

The R21 mechanism is generally intended to support early-stage, exploratory, and higher-risk research. It is aimed at generating foundational insights and proof-of-concept data rather than supporting large, long-term projects.

Is this opportunity focused on clinical research or basic/translational research?

The focus is on basic and translationally oriented biology in dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) tissues, with an emphasis on mechanistic and preclinical work.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. Clinical trials are not allowed, meaning the supported research must remain on the preclinical or mechanistic side and cannot test interventions in human participants.

What is the central scientific goal of this funding announcement?

The central goal is to determine whether cells residing in postnatal (after birth) dental, oral, and craniofacial tissues can regain or acquire developmental "plasticity" when those tissues are challenged (for example, by injury or environmental stress).

What does "lineage plasticity" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this context, lineage plasticity refers to the ability of resident cells in living organisms (in vivo) to switch identity through lineage reprogramming or trans-differentiation, particularly in response to injury or other stressors.

What types of biological phenomena is NIH asking investigators to study here?

The opportunity emphasizes in vivo cell fate switching in DOC tissues, including lineage reprogramming and trans-differentiation, and the triggers and molecular pathways that govern these processes during repair or regeneration.

Does the announcement emphasize in vivo studies?

Yes. A key theme is determining whether resident cells can switch identity in living organisms (in vivo), especially under challenge conditions such as injury or environmental stress.

What is meant by "endogenous regeneration" in this opportunity?

Endogenous regeneration refers to repair driven by the body's own resident cells and natural repair processes, rather than primarily relying on transplantation of outside cells.

Is transplantation of external cells the primary focus?

No. The call is centered on endogenous repair using resident cells and natural processes, not primarily on transplantation approaches.

What does NIH mean by showing that newly generated cells are "functionally competent"?

The announcement emphasizes that projects should go beyond detecting marker expression and should demonstrate that any newly generated cells behave like authentic cells of the new lineage and contribute meaningfully to tissue repair or regeneration.

What kinds of questions about injury or stress does this opportunity want to address?

It is oriented toward defining the natural limits and triggers of regeneration in DOC tissues, including what injuries or stress signals provoke lineage changes, what cell types can change fate, and what molecular pathways govern the process.

What types of scientific approaches are commonly aligned with this topic area?

Projects responsive to this area often rely on modern lineage-tracing strategies, single-cell profiling, spatial mapping, and mechanistic perturbations in relevant animal models or organotypic systems, with the unifying theme of understanding in vivo cell fate switching and its contribution to repair.

What tissue areas are in scope for this funding announcement?

The scientific scope is focused on dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) tissues.

What funding activity category is this opportunity listed under?

It is listed under the health-related funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 93.121.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The award ceiling is $200,000.

When was the posting created?

The posting was created on March 12, 2020.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was July 31, 2020.

Does the provided information state how many awards NIH expects to make?

No. The provided source text does not specify the exact number of expected awards, but it describes this as a competitive NIH funding announcement where multiple awards are typically made depending on appropriations and application quality.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and certain international entities. Examples listed include state, county, and local governments (including city or township governments), special district governments, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.

Are tribal entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Tribal eligibility is extensive and includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments as well as other Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.

Are nonprofits eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible applicants (excluding higher education institutions when categorized separately).

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.

Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed among eligible applicants.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included under "other eligible applicants."

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).

Are minority-serving institutions specifically called out as eligible?

Yes. The opportunity highlights 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), and other similar institution types.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are included among the "other eligible applicants."

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the "other eligible applicants."

What is the long-range value or rationale described for this research area?

The long-range value described is that defining the rules of lineage plasticity and endogenous regeneration could eventually inform new regenerative strategies for craniofacial and oral health conditions, while the funded projects themselves remain non-clinical and mechanistic.