Advancing Extracellular RNA (exRNA) Communication Research: Improved Isolation and Analysis of exRNA-Carrier Subclasses (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA RM 18 027

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 18 027

This National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity, titled "Advancing Extracellular RNA (exRNA) Communication Research: Improved Isolation and Analysis of exRNA-Carrier Subclasses (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," supports technology development aimed at improving how scientists isolate and study extracellular RNAs circulating in body fluids. The core scientific premise is that exRNAs are not just passive debris; they can function as endocrine-like signaling molecules, influencing cells both nearby and throughout the body. Because exRNAs in blood and other biofluids are exposed to enzymes that would normally degrade RNA, they persist by traveling inside or alongside protective carrier vehicles. The opportunity focuses on three major carrier classes: extracellular vesicles (EVs, including distinct EV subsets), ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), and lipoproteins (LPPs). Each carrier type is believed to affect where exRNAs travel in the body, how target cells take them up, and what biological effects they ultimately have.

The main goal of the announcement is to drive the creation and rigorous evaluation of new separation tools, technologies, and workflows that can quickly and reproducibly fractionate complex biofluids into more homogeneous carrier populations. In practical terms, NIH is looking for methods that can reliably sort a mixed sample (such as plasma, serum, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, or other biofluids) into clean fractions enriched for EVs (and potentially specific EV subtypes), RNP complexes, and LPP particles. The emphasis on reproducibility and speed reflects a persistent problem in the field: different labs often use different isolation approaches that yield partially overlapping mixtures, making it difficult to compare results across studies or to confidently assign a given RNA signal to a specific carrier type.

In addition to carrier separation, the FOA highlights the need for approaches that support high-throughput isolation and analysis of exRNA cargo and associated molecular components. That includes not only the RNA content itself, but also other molecular cargo that may co-travel with these carriers and influence function, such as proteins or lipids. By encouraging platforms that can scale and handle many samples efficiently, the opportunity is designed to strengthen foundational infrastructure for exRNA communication research, enabling broader studies of biodistribution, cellular uptake, and biological impact across conditions and tissues. Importantly, the notice specifies "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning applicants must propose non-clinical-trial research activities (for example, methodological development, analytical validation, and preclinical or observational sample work that does not meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial).

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NIH program using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically means NIH expects substantial involvement during the project (for instance, coordination, milestone tracking, or other programmatic collaboration). The activity category is health, and the CFDA listing is 93.310. The funding opportunity number is RFA-RM-18-027, and the original closing date listed is October 23, 2018, with a creation date of August 6, 2018.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations: state, county, and city 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions when specified in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly calls out 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, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Overall, the opportunity is aimed at building better, field-wide capabilities for separating exRNA carriers and analyzing their cargo so that exRNA-based communication biology can be studied with greater clarity, consistency, and scale.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Extracellular RNA (exRNA) Communication Research: Improved Isolation and Analysis of exRNA-Carrier Subclasses (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 18 027

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