Neuroskeletal Biology of the Dental and Craniofacial Skeletal System (R01) | RFA DE 18 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DE 18 005

Neuroskeletal Biology of the Dental and Craniofacial Skeletal System (R01) (RFA-DE-18-005) is a National Institutes of Health discretionary grant opportunity in the health area (CFDA 93.121) designed to fund research that explains how the nervous system influences the postnatal dental and craniofacial skeletal system (DCS). The central idea is that teeth and craniofacial bones are not regulated only by local bone and dental cells, but also by signals coming from the peripheral and central nervous systems. This FOA invites studies that clarify how neural inputs shape metabolism, tissue homeostasis, remodeling, and regeneration in the dental and craniofacial complex, both under normal conditions and in disease.

The scientific purpose is twofold. First, it aims to strengthen basic biological understanding of the two-way relationships between the PNS/CNS and dental and craniofacial tissues. That includes how nerves and neural-derived factors may affect bone turnover, tooth-associated tissues, vascular interactions, immune crosstalk, and overall tissue maintenance across the lifespan after development. Second, it aims to move that foundational knowledge toward practical strategies that could improve function, lessen the burden of disease, and ultimately enable better repair or regeneration of damaged teeth and craniofacial bones. In other words, the program is looking for projects that connect nervous system mechanisms to clinically meaningful outcomes such as improved healing, reduced degeneration, and more predictable reconstruction following injury or disease.

The scope of supported work centers on postnatal processes in the dental and craniofacial region, emphasizing metabolism and homeostasis (how tissues maintain stable function), remodeling (how tissues continuously renew and adapt), and regeneration (how tissues repair after damage). Applications can address health and disease, which makes the FOA relevant to a wide range of craniofacial problems where neural regulation could be a missing piece of the puzzle. The announcement frames these questions broadly, leaving room for different experimental systems and approaches as long as the work clearly advances understanding of nervous system interactions with the DCS and helps build a pathway toward improved prevention, treatment, repair, or regenerative capability.

This is an R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for well-developed research projects rather than small pilot explorations. The listed award ceiling is $250,000. The original closing date shown in the source data is 2017-11-25, and the FOA was created on 2017-02-27. The listing indicates expected awards but does not specify a number in the provided excerpt.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (when not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, reflecting an interest in wide participation across institutional types and communities. These include 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; U.S. territories or possessions; regional organizations; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), as well as Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities.

In practical terms, this opportunity targets investigators who can bring neuroscience together with dental, craniofacial, bone, and regenerative biology. Competitive projects would typically be expected to articulate a clear mechanistic link between neural pathways (peripheral innervation, central regulation, neuroimmune signaling, neurovascular coupling, or neural control of metabolism and remodeling) and measurable changes in craniofacial bone and tooth-related tissue behavior. The overall goal is to produce knowledge that not only explains how the system works, but also supports future interventions that preserve function and improve healing and regeneration in the dental and craniofacial skeleton.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Neuroskeletal Biology of the Dental and Craniofacial Skeletal System (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-02-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-11-25. (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 $250,000.00 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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