NIH NCCIH Yoga Research Grant Deadline Approaches with Days Remaining

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has highlighted an active funding opportunity (PAR-24-218) focused on mechanistic human research examining mind-body interventions such as yoga. With the application window closing on October 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM local time, researchers face an imminent deadline for one of the largest federal funding streams dedicated specifically to yoga and whole person health in the United States.

Funding Structure and Scope

The funding opportunity utilizes an R61/R33 phased award mechanism designed to support rigorous studies investigating how yoga and related practices impact emotional well-being and whole person health.

Key parameters of the funding opportunity include:

• Budget Support: Applicants may request up to $475,000 per year in direct costs.
• Project Duration: Total project periods can extend for up to 5 years.
• Program Allocation: Approximately $2 million in total program funding has been anticipated for fiscal year 2026.

Why This Funding Matters for Yoga Science

Federal support through NCCIH represents a cornerstone for clinical research investigating the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying yoga. By targeting emotional well-being pathways, the grant aims to provide high-quality empirical data on how mind-body modalities integrate into broader healthcare frameworks.

Because of the strict upcoming deadline, interested research teams have been advised to finalize their submissions through official federal portals immediately.