Grants

Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed): eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)

Updated October 2026 5 min read

Key Facts

Agency
National Institutes of Health
Award Range
up to $4,000,000
Deadline
Closed 2026-07-10
Time Remaining
This cycle closed on 2026-07-10. Check grants.gov for the next cycle.
CFDA Number
93.867
Bottom line: The Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) provides up to $4,000,000 in funding through the National Institutes of Health. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits cooperative agreement research applications to support a multidisciplinary program titled "Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption" (APEx), that will facilitate advancement of promising strategies and products for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TE/RM). APEx will be composed of Resource Centers (RCs) and associated Interdisciplinary Translational Projects (ITPs) in the area of therapeutics (including adult stem cell-based treatments), sensors, and diagnostics.

The Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a federal funding opportunity administered by the National Institutes of Health. This guide covers everything you need to know to determine whether you qualify and how to submit a competitive application once the next cycle opens.

Use our free Grant Finder to discover additional programs you may be eligible for based on your organization type and location.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), applicants must meet the following criteria:

State governments; Small businesses; Private institutions of higher education; County governments; Independent school districts; City or township governments; Special district governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education … (see grants.gov for the full eligibility list).

Eligibility requirements can change between funding cycles. Always verify the current criteria on the official Grants.gov listing before beginning your application.

Businesses can apply. grants.gov lists for-profit or small business applicants for this program; the notice's other requirements still apply. Not sure your business fits? Run the free Grant Finder check →

How to apply: step by step

  1. Register on SAM.gov. Every federal grant applicant needs an active SAM (System for Award Management) registration. Allow 2-4 weeks for new registrations to process. Existing registrations must be renewed annually.
  2. Get a UEI number. Your Unique Entity Identifier is assigned through SAM.gov and replaces the old DUNS number. You will need this on every federal application.
  3. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Download the full NOFO from the Grants.gov listing. Pay close attention to review criteria, budget limits, and required attachments.
  4. Prepare your application package. Most federal grants require a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capacity statement, and supporting documents. Follow the page limits and formatting rules exactly.
  5. Submit through Grants.gov. Create a workspace, upload all required forms and attachments, and submit once the next cycle opens. The system timestamps your submission, and late applications are automatically rejected.
  6. Confirm receipt. Keep the tracking number or confirmation email, and check back in 1-2 business days that your application passed the validation checks.

For detailed guidance on writing a winning narrative, see our grant writing tips article.

Grant details

Detail Information
Grant Name Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding Agency National Institutes of Health
CFDA Number 93.867
Award Minimum Not published
Award Maximum $4,000,000
Deadline Closed 2026-07-10
Category Health
Matching Required No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program
Application Link Apply on Grants.gov

Federal grant budgets and priorities shift each fiscal year. The amounts listed above reflect the most recent funding cycle. For the latest figures, check the official program page.

If you are exploring business financing beyond grants, the team at CeoCult covers loans, lines of credit, and alternative funding for founders.

Get the free grant eligibility screener worksheet (PDF)

Check your fit for Health grants like this one before you apply: eligibility, match and registration in one worksheet.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

State governments; Small businesses; Private institutions of higher education; County governments; Independent school districts; City or township governments; Special district governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education … (see grants.gov for the full eligibility list). Requirements can change between cycles, so always verify on the official Grants.gov listing before applying.

Can a for-profit business apply for the Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

Yes. grants.gov lists for-profit or small business applicants for this program. The notice's other eligibility requirements still apply, so confirm them on the official listing.

What is the deadline for Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

The current deadline is closed on 2026-07-10; the next cycle has not been posted. Many federal grants operate on annual or rolling cycles. If this deadline has passed, check the Grants.gov listing for the next funding opportunity.

Does Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) require matching funds?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program. Matching requirements can vary by fiscal year and applicant type, so confirm with the funding agency before committing resources.