Grant Information

Types of Grants

NIH Grants

Information about the various types of NIH grants is online at

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/funding_program.htm

 

Research Grants (R Series)

R01 (Traditional Research Grant) – The Research Project (R01) grant is an award made to support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be preformed by the named investigator(2) in an area representing the investigator’s specific interest and competencies, based on the mission of the NIH.  R01s can be investigator-initiated or can be in response to a program announcement or request for application.  All of the NIH institutes and centers support R01 awards.

These grants are for investigators who have some proven ability to manage external funds, a strong publication record, pilot data, and support for the proposed project.  It is recommended that applications are made while eligible as a new investigator and early stage investigator.

US citizens and non-US are eligible to apply.

 

R03 (Small Research Grant) – The R03 grant mechanism will support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time (two years) with limited resources ($50,000 per year in direct costs.) Examples of the types of projects that NIH Institutes or Centers support with the R03 include the following:

• Pilot or feasibility studies
• Secondary analysis of existing data
• Small, self-contained research projects
• Development of research methodology
• Development of new research technology

These grants are recommended as a first grant, if pilot data needs to be generated, for proof of concept or methods development, and to provide bridge funding to an R01.

US citizens and non-US are eligible to apply.

 

R21 (Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant) – The R21 grant mechanism is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of project development.  These awards are for up to two years, have a combined budget for direct costs for the two-year project period that does not exceed $275,000, and require no preliminary data.  The R21 can not be renewed.  These grants are recommended for novel scientific ideas or new model systems, tools, or technologies.

US citizens and non-US are eligible to apply.

 

Career Development Awards (K Series)

The NIH has developed a chart that compares K awards across the various institutes and centers.  It is online at http://grants.nih.gov/training/K-Awards_Across_ICs.xls.

K01 Mentored Research Scientist Award – The purpose of the omnibus K01 program is to provide support and “protected time” (3-5 years) for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence.  Awards are not renewable, not are they transferable from one principal investigator to another.

Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

 

K02 Independent Scientist Award – This omnibus NIH K02 program provides support for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers. The K02 is intended to foster the development of outstanding scientists and to enable them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field of research.

Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

 

K22 Career Transition Award – The Career Transition Awards provide support to an individual postdoctoral fellow in transition to a faculty position.  This award is not offered by all of the NIH institutes and centers, but for those that do offer it it provides an opportunity for postdocs to apply for independent research and career development support. Some of these awards support and additional period of postdoc training followed by a period of support as an independent researcher. Others just include an independent segment.

Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

 

K25 Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award – The purpose of the omnibus K25 is to attract to NIH-relevant research those investigators whose quantitative science and engineering research has thus far not been focused primarily on questions of health and disease.

Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

 

K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence (PI) Award – The primary, long-term goal of the Pathway to Independence (PI) Award program is to increase and maintain a strong cohort of new and talented NIH-supported independent investigators.  The PI award program is for postdocs with no more than five years of postdoctoral training who need one or two more years of mentored training.  It is designed to facilitate a timely transition from a mentored postdoctoral research position to a stable independent research position with independent NIH or other independent research support at an earlier stage than is currently the norm.

US citizens and non-US are eligible to apply.

 

Research Training and Fellowship Awards (F Series)

F32 Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship – The purpose of this individual postdoctoral research training fellowship is to provide support to promising Fellowship Applicants with the potential to become productive, independent investigators in scientific health-related research fields relevant to the missions of participating NIH Institutes and Centers.

Only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.

Funding Sources

The following web sites provide information about different types of grants and may be helpful in identifying an appropriate agency, funder, or grant for which to apply.

Career Award Wizard helps identify which career development award would be appropriate given a postdoc’s degree, funding experience, etc.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) New and Early Stage Investigator Policies provides information and resources to new biomedical researchers seeking to transition to independence.

NIH Funding Opportunities lists the types of funding announcements with information regarding the specificity of research topic and advantage to applicant.

Community of Science  is a search engine with an extensive listing of funding opportunities.

Grants.net is a directory of funding and training resources.

Grants.gov is a source for information about federal grants.  Grants can be applied for on this site.

The National Science Foundation provides specialized funding information for postdocs.

NIH Grant Overview

The following is a list of terms and general principles that provide an overview of the NIH grant application and review process.

Center for Scientific Review (CSR) – The CSR is the portal for NIH grant applications and their review for scientific merit. It organizes the peer review groups or study sections that evaluate the majority (70%) of the research grant applications sent to NIH. The mission of the CSR is to see that NIH grant applications receive fair, independent, expert, and timely reviews — free from inappropriate influences — so NIH can fund the most promising research.

Early Stage Investigator (ESI) – A New Investigator within 10 years of completing his/her terminal research degree or medical residency. A traditional NIH research grant (R01) application from an ESI will be identified and the career stage of the applicant will be considered at the time of review and award.

Funding Instruments – The NIH uses three funding instruments: (1) grants provide the majority (approximately 85%) of NIH funding, and are instruments in which the principal investigator designs and develops the research project; (2) contracts are used when the government decides the research which is based on an unmet need; (3) cooperative agreements are similar to grants but the awarding institute or center is significantly involved in the project’s activities.

Initial Review Group (IRG) – A group of primarily nongovernment experts qualified by training and experience in particular scientific or technical fields, or as authorities knowledgeable in the various disciplines and fields related to the scientific areas under review, to give expert advice on the scientific and technical merit of grant applications or contract proposals, or the concept of contract projects. (same as Scientific Review Group.)

New Investigator - A new investigator is an individual who has not previously competed successfully for an NIH-supported research project other than the following small or early stage research awards:

• Pathway to Independence Award-Research Phase (R00)
• Small Grant (R03)
• Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15)
• Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21)
• Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34)
• Dissertation Award (R36)
• Small Business Technology Transfer Grant-Phase I (R41)
• Small Business Innovation Research Grant-Phase I (R43)
• Shannon Award (R55)
• NIH High Priority, Short-Term Project Award (R56)

Additionally, an individual is not excluded from consideration as a “New Investigator” if he/she has received an award from the following classes of awards:

• Training-Related and Mentored Career Awards
• Fellowships (F05, F30, F31, F32, F34, F37, F38)
• Mentored-career awards (K01, K08, K22, K23, K25, K99-R00)
• Other mentored career awards (developmental K02 as used by NINDS and the developmental K07)
• Loan repayment contracts (L30, L32, L40, L50, L60)

Note: Current or past recipients of non-mentored career awards that normally require independent research support (K02, K05, K24, and K26) are not considered new investigators.

Instrumentation, Construction, Education, or Meeting Awards

• G07, G08, G11, G13, G20
• S10, S15
• X01, X02
• R25
• C06, UC6
• R13, U13

Also see Resources for New Investigators for more information.

Program Announcement (PA) – An announcement by an NIH Institute or Center requesting applications in the stated scientific areas. Program Announcements (PA) are published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.

Program Announcement and Special Review (PAR) – Program Announcement with special receipt, referral and/or review considerations.

 

Program Officer – The program officer is involved in the grant application before and after the review.  S/he will  convey the essence of the study section’s summary statements to the applicant.

Request for Application (RFA) – The official statement inviting grant or cooperative agreement applications to accomplish a specific program purpose. RFAs indicate the amount of funds set aside for the competition and generally identify a single application receipt date.

Request for Proposals (RFP) – Announces that NIH would like to award a contract to meet a specific need, such as the development of an animal model. RFPs have a single application receipt date and are published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.

Scientific Review Group (SRG) -  A group of primarily nongovernment experts qualified by training and experience in particular scientific or technical fields, or as authorities knowledgeable in the various disciplines and fields related to the scientific areas under review, to give expert advice on the scientific and technical merit of grant applications or contract proposals, or the concept of contract projects.  (same as Initial Review Group.)

Scientific Review Officer (SRO) – The SRO nominated the peer review panel, assigns applications, and is responsible for the review meeting.

Study Section – The study section’s members are the most highly regarded and experienced scientists in a particular field.  There are hundreds of study sections at the NIH.

Applying for Grants

Information regarding the grant application process is available online at these web sites:

NIH Grant Cycle – This site looks at the NIH grant cycle from application to renewal, and includes strategies for planning and writing a grant application. It also includes useful links to tutorials, checklists, and other resources.

Tips for New NIH Grant Applicants – This page provides advice for new investigators and recommended steps to take when thinking of, and applying for a grant.

Application Guide for NIH and Other PHS Agencies – The NIH and other PHS agencies have transitioned to Restructured Application Forms with new page limits.  All applications now use the new application packages and instructions found on this website.  The application guides outline how to prepare and submit electronic grant applications using the SF424 (R&R) application forms.

The Harvard University Office for Sponsored Programs – The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) works with Harvard’s research and scholarly community in the areas of grants management.  This website has information about how to apply for, and manage various types of grants.

NIH Grant Review Process

The five review criteria that are used by NIH review groups are:

• significance – whether the project will advance knowledge, practice, or capacity;
• investigators – whether the project investigators and researchers have the needed expertise, mentoring, and ability for the project
• innovation – whether the project aims are novel
• approach – whether the strategy is manageable
• environment – whether there is institutional support for the project

 

Information about the NIH grant review process is available online:

What Happens to Your Grant Application: A Primer for New Applicants – This website outlines the process that takes place within the NIH after a grant is submitted for review.  Information is provided about study sections, scientific review officers (SRO), etc.

Insider’s Guide to Peer Review (NIH Center for Scientific Research) – The Center for Scientific Review asked six current and retired study section chairs to share their personal insights on what makes a good NIH grant application. The intention is to help new and established applicants submit better applications.

Inside the NIH Grant Review Process (peer review at the NIH) – The Center for Scientific Research (CSR) has produced a series of videos to give an inside look at how scientists from across the country review NIH grant applications for scientific and technical merit. New and established applicants will find insights and understanding that can empower them to improve the applications and increase their chances for receiving a more positive review.

Enhancing Peer Review at NIH – This site describes the shortened, restructured NIH grant application review process that begin in January, 2010.

Center for Scientific Research (CSR) Study Section Roster Index – This website lists the various study section rosters.  Rosters are posted 23-30 days before meeting dates and will be maintained for 6 months or until overwritten by a new roster if the group number is re-used in the next review cycle.