Grants for Researchers

National Institutes of Health · Up to $200K

An NIH/NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03, clinical trial optional) supporting basic and clinical rehabilitation research from scientists establishing independent careers, intended to generate preliminary data for a later R01. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $200,000. This is an early-career research mechanism administered through a sponsoring institution.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

The NIH parent Research Project Grant (R01, clinical trial required) supports investigator-initiated research projects, with at least one clinical trial required, aligned with participating NIH institutes' missions. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. The clinical-trial requirement makes this best suited to research institutions with trial capacity.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH (R21) opportunity funds translational research into mood and psychosis symptoms during the menopause transition, examining underlying neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms. It targets research and academic institutions and interdisciplinary research teams, not individuals or typical nonprofits/small businesses. No specific award amount is stated.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIDCR (K22) career-transition award helps qualified dentists move from NIH intramural postdoctoral positions to extramural faculty roles, funding mentored training plus independent research. It is an individual career-development award for early-career dentist-scientists at eligible institutions; foreign organizations are not eligible. This is narrowly targeted and not suited to organizations seeking project funding. No specific award amount is stated.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $375K

The REAP program funds small-scale research at health professional and graduate schools that haven't been major recipients of NIH support, while giving students hands-on research experience. Eligibility is limited to institutions awarding NIH-relevant degrees that received under $6 million per year in NIH support in 4 of the last 7 years — a specific financial threshold worth checking before applying. Awards go up to $375,000.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH research project grant (R01, clinical trial required) funding effectiveness trials of post-acute therapeutic and service-delivery interventions for mental health conditions across the lifespan. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and faith- or community-based organizations. No specific award ceiling is stated. This requires conducting a clinical trial, so it suits research institutions with that capacity rather than individuals or general nonprofits.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $500K

An NIH/NCI research project grant (R01) funding projects that integrate medical imaging with fluid-based (liquid biopsy) tumor monitoring during cancer therapy. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible. The award is capped at about $500,000. This is an oncology research mechanism aimed at research institutions, not individuals or general nonprofits.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

A limited-competition NIH planning grant (R34, clinical trial not allowed) supporting fundamental research on skin injuries caused by chemical threats and potential shared therapeutic targets. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, though foreign components within the project are allowed. No specific award amount is stated. As a limited competition, eligibility may be further restricted beyond the listed categories, so review the NOFO closely.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $150K

An NIH Small Research Grant (I/START, R03) designed to help investigators enter brain-imaging research with small proof-of-concept studies relevant to substance use and addiction. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $150,000. It supports newly independent and established investigators through their institutions, not individuals applying directly.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH planning grant (R34, clinical trial required) funding research on family-navigation emergency-department diversion models for non-urgent mental health concerns. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible. No specific award amount is stated. This requires a clinical trial and suits research institutions in mental health services research.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH research project grant (R01, clinical trial required) funding research on family-navigation emergency-department diversion models for non-urgent mental health concerns. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible. No specific award amount is stated. The clinical-trial requirement makes this best suited to research institutions in mental health services research.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH R21 funds exploratory research on dissemination and implementation strategies for evidence-based health interventions, including studies on de-implementing low-value practices. Eligible applicants include universities and similar research institutions across NIH's mission areas. No award amount is specified.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIMH (R01) opportunity funds research testing strategies to increase the reach, efficiency, and effectiveness of digital mental health interventions, including clinical trials on established platforms. A clinical trial is required. It targets research and academic institutions rather than individuals or general nonprofits/small businesses; no specific award amount is stated.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $200K

An NIH (R21) exploratory grant funding invasive neural recording and stimulation studies in humans to understand neural circuitry underlying mental health disorders. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $200,000. Technology and therapy development are out of scope, so this suits research institutions conducting specific neuroscience studies.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NCI exploratory/developmental bioengineering research grant (EBRG, R21, clinical trial optional) funding feasibility-stage projects that develop new capabilities or improvements for biomedical, pre-clinical, or clinical research and care. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. This is a bioengineering research mechanism aimed at research institutions.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH R01 funds research into the natural history of conditions that are or could become part of newborn screening programs, to inform earlier and better-targeted treatment. Eligible applicants include universities, minority- and tribal-serving institutions, and similar research organizations. No award amount is specified.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH research project grant (R01, clinical trials not allowed) supporting innovative, non-trial mental health services research aligned with NIMH strategic priorities. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. This suits research institutions conducting services research rather than intervention trials.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH R01 funds research identifying and testing strategies to help evidence-based health interventions get adopted, scaled, and sustained — or, conversely, to phase out ineffective practices. Eligible applicants include universities, minority- and tribal-serving institutions, and similar research organizations across NIH's mission areas. No award amount is specified.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIDCR (R03) small-grant program supports pilot or feasibility studies in oral, dental, and craniofacial research by scientists early in establishing an independent research career. It is intended for new-investigator researchers at eligible institutions; foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. No specific award amount is stated, though R03 awards are typically modest.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH research project grant (R01, clinical trials optional) supporting multi-level intervention research to reduce disparities in liver diseases and liver cancer among U.S. populations experiencing health disparities. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, though foreign components within the project are allowed. No specific award amount is stated. This suits research institutions focused on health-disparities intervention research.