Limited Competition: Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (BBAER) Program (UM1), Clinical Trial Optional: eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)

The Limited Competition: Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (BBAER) Program (UM1), Clinical Trial Optional 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 Limited Competition: Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (BBAER) Program (UM1), Clinical Trial Optional, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Limited competition. Details from the notice: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits UM1 applications from domestic organizations located in the United States and its territories that received less than $30 million per year in total NIH funding for the past three fiscal years. Within that limit, grants.gov lists: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); State governments; Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); For profit organizations other than small businesses; Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); U.S. Territory or Possession. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply.

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

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

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.

Frequently asked questions