Research on Bioethical Issues Related to Bionic and Robotic Device Development and Translation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA EB 23 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA EB 23 001

This National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity, titled "Research on Bioethical Issues Related to Bionic and Robotic Device Development and Translation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-EB-23-001; CFDA: 93.286), supports exploratory, early-stage research on the ethical questions that come up when designing, testing, and bringing bionic and robotic devices into real-world use. The core idea is that ethical issues are not an add-on to these technologies; they are built into every phase of development, from early design choices and data collection to human testing, clinical integration, and broader implementation. Projects funded under this announcement are expected to directly study bioethical challenges tied to robotics and bionics rather than simply including an ethics section as part of a technical device proposal.

The scope is intentionally broad, covering "all stages of the design, testing, and/or implementation" of bionic and robotic devices. That can include research on topics such as responsible device design, user autonomy and agency, privacy and data governance (especially for sensor-rich or networked devices), informed consent and participant understanding in device trials, equitable access and fairness in who benefits from the technology, safety and risk tradeoffs, long-term support obligations once a device is deployed, and how devices may affect identity, stigma, or social participation for users. Because this is an R21 mechanism, the emphasis is typically on conceptually innovative, hypothesis-generating, or methods-developing work that can open up a new line of inquiry in bioethics for these technologies.

The award is a discretionary grant under the NIH, with an award ceiling listed at $275,000. The activity category is health, and the "Clinical Trial Optional" label indicates that applicants may propose a study that meets NIH's definition of a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the ethical research question, but a clinical trial is not required. In other words, the announcement can support work ranging from conceptual and empirical bioethics research (like qualitative interviews, surveys, stakeholder deliberation methods, or policy analysis) to study designs that involve interventions or prospective evaluation when justified by the ethics aims.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations: state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; 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 announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISISs, 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. Foreign institutions (non-U.S. entities applying as the primary applicant organization) are not eligible to apply, but non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations may participate, and foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means international collaborators or activities can be included when needed and well-justified.

Key administrative details in the provided source include an original closing date of 2023-04-28 and a creation date of 2023-02-01. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at strengthening the evidence base and practical guidance around how bionic and robotic devices should be developed and translated in ways that protect participants and users, respect autonomy, address social and equity impacts, and responsibly manage the unique risks and benefits these technologies can create.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on Bioethical Issues Related to Bionic and Robotic Device Development and Translation (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): 93.286.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-02-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-04-28. (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 $275,000.00 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 EB 23 001

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