NIH: Small Research Grant Program

Sponsor: The National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Investigator-Initiated Small Grant (R03) funding opportunity supports small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. Investigator-initiated research, also known as unsolicited research, is research funded as a result of an investigator submitting a research grant application to NIH in an investigator’s area of interest and competency. The R03 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology.

The applicant will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project.

All investigator-initiated exploratory/developmental grant applications described in this announcement will be assigned to NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) according to standard Public Health Service (PHS) referral guidelines and specific program interests.

Investigators are strongly encouraged to consult the list of participating ICs and special research interests. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/contacts/pa-06-180_contacts.htm and the R03 Web site at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r03.htm.

The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality and the number of applications received. Funding decisions will reflect the needs, priorities and mission of the funding Institutes/Centers (ICs).

Project Period and Award Levels: A total project period of up to two years and a budget for direct costs of up to two $25,000 modules or $50,000 per year may be requested. Eligible organizations: For-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories, units of State government, units of local government, eligible agencies of the Federal government, domestic institutions, foreign institutions; faith-based or community-based organizations, units of State Tribal government, and units of Local Tribal government.

Eligible Project Director/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs): Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institutions to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.

Applicants may submit more than one application, provided they are scientifically distinct.

Note: Investigators wishing to apply for an R03 grant should be aware that not all ICs accept investigator-initiated R03 applications under this parent FOA. See first page of this FOA. An R03 is not renewable.

Applicants should also be aware that non-participating ICs might solicit R03 applications using Requests for Applications (RFAs) or Program Announcements (PAs) to meet specific program needs.

Additional information about special R03 initiatives can be found in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html#search. In some cases those announcements may specify different application characteristics, review criteria, and receipt dates.

The application instructions for this FOA are located at the following links: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/SF424_RR_Guide_General_Ver2.doc (MS Word) and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/SF424_RR_Guide_General_Ver2.pdf (PDF). Applicants are encouraged to return to these links for the most current version of these instructions. For general information on SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission, see the following Web sites:

SF424 (R&R) Application and Electronic Submission Information: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm

General information on Electronic Submission of Grant Applications: http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/

Telecommunications for the hearing impaired is available at: TTY 301-451-0088

Amount: Although the financial plans of the IC(s) provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. A project period of up to two years and a budget for direct costs of up to two $25,000 modules or $50,000 per year may be requested. An R03 grant is not renewable.

Deadline:

Release/Posted Date: March 2, 2006
Opening Date: May 2, 2006 (Earliest date an application may be submitted to Grants.gov)
Application Receipt Dates: February 16, June 16, and October 16
Expiration Date: May 2, 2009

For further information, please visit: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-180.html