Advancing Extracellular RNA (exRNA) Communication Research: Towards Single Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Sorting, Isolation, and Analysis of Cargo (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA RM 18 028

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 18 028

This National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity, titled "Advancing Extracellular RNA (exRNA) Communication Research: Towards Single Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Sorting, Isolation, and Analysis of Cargo (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," supports technology development aimed at a major bottleneck in the extracellular RNA field: reliably working at the level of individual extracellular vesicles rather than bulk EV mixtures. EVs are small, membrane-bound particles released by cells into biofluids such as blood, urine, saliva, or cerebrospinal fluid. They can carry extracellular RNAs and other molecular cargo that reflect the state and identity of their source cells, and they may also influence recipient (target) cells. The FOA is built around the idea that single-EV isolation and cargo analysis would reveal EV heterogeneity that is largely hidden when researchers analyze EVs in aggregate, and that this heterogeneity is central to understanding how exRNAs act as communication signals in both normal physiology and disease.

The overarching goal is to develop and demonstrate innovative tools, technologies, and reagents that can (1) isolate and sort single EVs from complex human biofluids and (2) characterize the exRNA cargo associated with defined EV subpopulations. A key emphasis is connecting EV subtypes to their cell or tissue of origin and, ideally, to their intended target cell, so that exRNA signaling pathways can be mapped with much higher resolution. By clarifying the diversity and distribution of exRNAs across different EV subpopulations, NIH is aiming to deepen understanding of exRNA-mediated signaling and accelerate progress toward practical applications, especially improved diagnostics (for example, liquid biopsy-style assays that detect disease-relevant EV/exRNA signatures) and therapeutics (such as EV-based delivery systems or exRNA-targeted interventions).

The opportunity uses the UG3/UH3 cooperative agreement structure, which typically reflects a phased, milestone-driven approach under substantial NIH programmatic involvement. In practice, this kind of mechanism is commonly used when the sponsor wants to de-risk ambitious technology development: an initial phase supports feasibility and early proof-of-concept work (UG3), and a second phase supports further development and broader demonstration once predefined milestones are met (UH3). The FOA explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants must not propose studies that meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial; the focus is on technology and method development rather than testing interventions in human participants for health-related outcomes.

Administratively, the opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and categorized under health research, with CFDA number 93.310. The funding opportunity number is RFA-RM-18-028, and the sponsoring agency is NIH. The original closing date shown is 2018-10-23, and the posting creation date is 2018-08-06. While the listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the provided fields, the intent is clearly to stimulate multiple efforts that can move the field toward robust single-EV sorting and exRNA cargo readouts.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organizational types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized 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); 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 (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, non-U.S. (foreign) organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Overall, the program is structured to encourage participation across academia, industry, nonprofits, and a wide range of institutions, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the technical challenges in EV isolation and exRNA measurement.

In short, this FOA is a targeted push to enable the next level of resolution in exRNA biology by funding platform technologies that can isolate individual extracellular vesicles and accurately profile their RNA cargo, with the broader payoff being clearer insight into cell-to-cell communication and faster translation of exRNA/EV knowledge into diagnostics and therapeutics.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Extracellular RNA (exRNA) Communication Research: Towards Single Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Sorting, Isolation, and Analysis of Cargo (UG3/UH3 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): 93.310.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-08-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-10-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 RM 18 028

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