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NINDS Grant Mechanisms


The grant mechanisms supported by NINDS are described below. Each funding mechanism and program title is accompanied by a brief General Description of each mechanism, followed by NINDS Specific Instructions (if any), and Link to Program Announcements (PA) & Requests for Application (RFA). For additional, specific information regarding eligibility for Non-U.S. scientists and U.S. scientists at foreign Institutions, please see NINDS Grants Information for Non-U.S. Scientists and U.S. Scientists at Foreign Institutions.

Table of Contents

Research Project Grants

Center Grants

Cooperative Agreement Awards

Conference Grants:

Small Business Grants:

Institutional NRSA Training Grants (Predoctoral and Postdoctoral):

Individual NRSA Predoctoral Fellowships:

Individual NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowships:

Mentored Research Career Development Awards:

Independent Scientist Career Development Awards:

Additional Information Links

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Research Project Grants

  • R01 Research Project Grant
    A Research Project Grant supports a focused research program conducted by a principal investigator with or without collaborators, postdoctoral trainees, graduate students and/or technicians. Also supports Pilot Clinical Trial Grant for Neurological Disease to gather preliminary data and the conduct of clinical studies to support the rationale for a subsequent full-scale clinical trial of intervention to treat or prevent neurological disease.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: Research Project Grant (R01) Guidelines

    Link to PAs and RFAs: See NINDS Funding Opportunities

    Note: The R01 mechanism will transition to electronic submission format for all applications after November 1, 2006.  For more information see: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/parent_announcements.htm.

    Important: As of the September 25, 2011 receipt date, all applications must conform to the NINDS Policy for the Requirement of Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to use an Investigational Drug, Biologic Product or Device in a Clinical Trial Prior to Submission of an Application (NOT-NS-11-018).

  • R03 Small Grant Program
    Supports new research projects that: 1) lead to a defined product, resource or "deliverable" that has inherent value to the neuroscience community; 2) regardless of whether they are hypothesis-driven, will generate an important and potentially publishable unit of information or dataset; or 3) focus on secondary analysis of clinical data sets. Priority will be given to research proposals that include a detailed plan for the sharing of resources and data generated under this award.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: NINDS Small Research Grant (R03) Program Guidelines

    Link to PAs and RFAs:PA-10-064

  • R15 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)
    The purpose of this program is to stimulate research in educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation's research scientists, but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. These grants are intended to create a research opportunity for scientists and institutions otherwise unlikely to participate extensively in NIH programs to support the Nation's biomedical and behavioral research effort.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Important: As of the October 25, 2009 receipt date, the R15 funding limit was increased to $300,000 in direct costs.

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-070

  • R21 Exploratory/Developmental Grant
    Supports new research projects that: 1) assess the feasibility of a novel avenue of investigation; 2) involve high risk experiments that could lead to a breakthrough in a particular field; or 3) demonstrate the feasibility of new technologies that could have major impact in a specific area. Proposals submitted under this mechanism should be limited to those with the potential for truly ground-breaking impact. Also supports projects in translational research intended to discover potential targets for therapeutic intervention, to identify candidate therapeutics, or to develop assays, animal models, devices, or technologies for screening or developing therapeutics. Does NOT support R21 applications that include clinical trials or other clinical studies of potential therapies.

    For further details regarding the R21 mechanism see the NINDS website: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/r21guidelines.htm. Applicants are encouraged to contact appropriate program staff within NINDS for advice about potential R21 proposals. A complete listing of program director contacts may be found at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/organization.htm.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) Program Guidelines

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-11-293, PA-10-069

  • R25 Research Education Grants
    The purpose of these Education Projects is to enable the grantee organization to provide research and related experiences for undergraduate, graduate and medical students, postdoctoral fellows and other junior scientists to broaden their skills and enhance their career development opportunities in order to contribute significantly to basic, clinical or translational neuroscience research. Funding support should lead to increased recruitment, mentoring, and training in the scientific and technology workforce.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    The NINDS currently participates in the three following programs:
    1. NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuropathology and Neuroradiology.

      List of currently active R25 programs

      This RFA will not be reissued in the Fall of 2010.

      Link to 2009 RFA: RFA-NS-10-002

      Link to 2008 RFA: RFA-NS-09-001


    2. NINDS Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience

      Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-11-010

      Application Kit: SF 424


    3. Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences

      Link to PAs and RFAs: RFA-MH-10-070

      Application Kit: SF 424


  • P01 Research Program Project Grant
    Grant to support a multi-investigator research program with a well-defined research focus or objective. All subprojects must be united in a common theme and be interdependent.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: Program Project and Center Grant Guidelines

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-11-172

    Application Kit: PHS 398

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Center Grants

  • P30 Center Core Grant
    The purpose of this program is to advance the NINDS mission to promote understanding and treatment of neurological disorders by providing core research facilities that are not otherwise available. Each Center Core Grant supports shared resources and facilities used by investigators with research projects funded by NINDS. An institution is eligible for a maximum of one NINDS Center Core Grant. These awards will support basic, translational, and clinical research, but will not be used to support clinical trials or to provide patient services.

    Each Center Core is composed of one or more research cores, each of which enriches the effectiveness of ongoing research, and promotes new research directions. A Center Core supports individual neuroscience research projects by providing necessary resources and performing required services that would be difficult or impractical to provide in individual labs. Center Core Grants foster a cooperative and interactive research environment through which multidisciplinary approaches to neuroscience problems, and joint research efforts are stimulated. It is strongly recommended that applicant institutions consider a plan to co-fund the Center Core, in order to maximize its utility and effectiveness.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: See PAR-08-116 (below)

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-08-116

    Application Kit: PHS 398

  • P50 Center Grant
    To support any part of the full range of research and development activities comprising a multidisciplinary attack on a specific disease entity or biomedical problem area.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: Program Project and Center Grant Guidelines

    Link to PAs and RFAs: See NINDS Funding Opportunities

    Application Kit: PHS 398

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Cooperative Agreement Awards

  • NINDS Cooperative Small Business Awards In Translational Research (SBIR/U44)
    The purpose of the NINDS SBIR Cooperative Agreement (U44) mechanism is to provide support for Phase II, and Fast-Track projects that directly address identification and pre-clinical testing of new therapeutics.

    NIH Information: NINDS Small Business Program and Funding Opportunities; NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities; 2011 SBIR and STTR Omnibus Solicitations-Program Descriptions and Research Topics (PDF - 1.5 MB or MS Word - 1.4 MB)

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-11-296, PA-09-064

    Application Kit: SF424 (Research and Related (R&R) forms and the Grants.gov SBIR/STTR Application Guide) Refer to the program announcement for additional steps that need to be taken before submission.

  • U54 Specialized Center - Cooperative Agreement
    A Specialized Center Cooperative Agreement will support any part of the full range of research and development activities that comprise a multidisciplinary attack on a specific disease entity or biomedical problem area. The center includes substantial involvement of NINDS staff, and may serve as a regional or national resource for special research purposes.

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-11-295, NOT-NS-06-010
  • U01 Research Project - Cooperative Agreement
    A research Project Grant supports a focused research program conducted by a principal investigator with substantial involvement by NINDS staff in the research activities.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: Currently being developed

    Link to PAs and RFAs: See NINDS Funding Opportunities

    Application Kit: PHS 398

  • U10 Cooperative Clinical Research Grant
    To support clinical evaluation of various methods of therapy and/or prevention in specific disease areas. There is substantial involvement by NINDS staff in research activities.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: Currently being developed

    Link to PAs and RFAs: See NINDS Funding Opportunities

    Application Kit: PHS 398

  • U24 Resource-Related Research Project - Cooperative Agreement
    A Resource-Related Research Project contributes to improvement of the capability of resources to serve biomedical research. The project includes substantial involvement of NINDS staff, and may serve a local, regional, or national user group. The project will normally include shared resources, technical expertise, and scientific expertise.

    Application Kit: PHS 398

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Conference Grants

  • R13 Conference Grant
    Conference grants support recipient sponsored scientific meetings and conferences that may facilitate advancement of NINDS mission objectives.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: NINDS supports conferences in part or in full and participates in co-funding with other Institutes. Awards are typically under $10,000, but larger awards are sometimes made. Discussions with program staff are especially important if larger amounts are requested.

    NINDS Guidelines for Conference Grant (R13, U13) Applications  

    NIH Information: Guidelines for Support of Scientific Meetings by NIH*

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-071

    *Please note the contact person has changed for NINDS:
    Contact:
    Dr. Alan Willard
    Telephone: (301) 496-9223, Fax (301) 402-0182
    E-mail: aw135y@nih.gov

  • U13 Cooperative Conference Grant
    The difference between the R13 and U13 mechanisms is that in the case of U13, NINDS Program staff will be substantially involved in the planning and conduct of the meeting, assisting the Principal Investigator according to specific Terms and Conditions.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: If an NINDS Program staff member will provide substantial assistance to a PI and that it is anticipated that assistance exceeds the traditional role of the staff member as Program Administrator, the appropriate support mechanism is the U13 cooperative agreement. Examples of NINDS Program staff involvement after award include, but are not limited to, development of an agenda, selection of speakers, organization of the conference or workshop, and/or post-meeting publications.

    Link to PAs and RFAs: NOT-NS-02-003

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Small Business Grants

  • R41 Small Business Technology Transfer Grants (STTR Phase I)
    to support cooperative R&D projects between small business concerns and research institutions, limited in time and amount, to establish the technical merit and feasibility of ideas that have potential for commercialization.

    NIH Information: NINDS Small Business Program and Funding Opportunities; NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities; 2011 SBIR and STTR Omnibus Solicitations-Program Descriptions and Research Topics (PDF - 1.5 MB or MS Word - 1.4 MB)

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-11-097

  • R42 Small Business Technology Transfer Grants (STTR Phase II)
    to support in-depth development of cooperative R&D projects between small business concerns and research institutions, limited in time and amount, for which feasibility has been established in an STTR Phase I project and which have the potential for commercialization.

    NIH Information: NINDS Small Business Program and Funding Opportunities; NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities; 2011 SBIR and STTR Omnibus Solicitations-Program Descriptions and Research Topics (PDF - 1.5 MB or MS Word - 1.4 MB)

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-11-097

  • R43 (Phase I) Small Business Innovative Research Grants (SBIR Phase I)
    supports projects to establish the technical merit and feasibility of R&D ideas which may lead to a commercial product or service and to determine the quality of performance of the small business awardee organization.

    NIH Information: NINDS Small Business Program and Funding Opportunities; NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities; 2011 SBIR and STTR Omnibus Solicitations-Program Descriptions and Research Topics (PDF - 1.5 MB or MS Word - 1.4 MB)

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-11-096

    If you intend to submit an application with human subjects contact one or both of these individuals:

  • R44 (Phase II) Small Business Innovative Research Grants (SBIR Phase II)
    to support in-depth development of R&D ideas for which feasibility was established in Phase I projects and which may ultimately lead to a commercial product or service.

    NIH Information: NINDS Small Business Program and Funding Opportunities; NIH Small Business Funding Opportunities; 2011 SBIR and STTR Omnibus Solicitations-Program Descriptions and Research Topics (PDF - 1.5 MB or MS Word - 1.4 MB)

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-11-096

    If you intend to submit an application with human subjects contact one or both of these individuals:

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Institutional NRSA Training Grants (Predoctoral and Postdoctoral)

  • T32 Institutional National Research Service Awards (NRSA)
    to enable institutions to make NRSA awards to individuals selected by the institution for predoctoral and postdoctoral research training in specified areas. The following programs are supported:
    (1) Institutional Research Training Grants
    (2) Jointly Sponsored Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (JSPTPN)

    Instructions Specific to NINDS: (1&2) Institutional National Research Service Award T32 Program

    Link to PAs and RFAs: (1) PA-10-036 ; NOT-NS-09-003;   (2) JSPTPN PAR-10-116

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Individual NRSA Predoctoral Fellowships:

  • F31 NINDS Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows in MD-PhD programs
    Starting with the April 8, 2010 receipt date, NINDS will use the F31 NRSA mechanism to support MD-PhD students in combined MD-PhD programs. These fellowships will support students for up to 5 years of predoctoral research training. This mechanism does not support medical school education. MD-PhD students are encouraged to apply for F31 support as early in their careers as possible, potentially as early as the end of the medical school year prior to beginning research. Applicants must have identified a lab, mentor(s) and research project. However, preliminary data and/or publications from the graduate lab are not required for a competitive application. Peer review evaluation is described in detail in the funding opportunity announcement. Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the research being done in the chosen lab, the creativity of the applicant’s proposed research project, the career development/training plan and the training track record of the mentorship team.

    Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to contact NINDS before preparing an application, as NINDS will consider only those applications that are designed to support the training and development of scientists with interests relevant to the mission of NINDS. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an MD program at an accredited medical school, accepted in a related scientific PhD program, and supervised by a mentor in that scientific discipline when the application is submitted.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-10-091

    Application Kits: SF 424

  • F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows in PhD programs
    Provide predoctoral individuals with supervised research training in specific health and health related areas leading toward the research degree (e.g., PhD.). NINDS supports the following programs:
    (1) National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows
    (2) NIH Predoctoral Fellowship Awards to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

    NINDS utilizes the F31 grant mechanism to support outstanding predoctoral students who are engaged in a course of research and study that will result in rigorous, broadly based neuroscience training. Applications may, in some cases, also be accepted from students training in other disciplines for the purpose of conducting research directly focused on the NINDS mission. Applicants for F31 awards are STRONGLY encouraged to contact an NINDS Program Director before they begin to prepare their application, as NINDS will consider only those applications that are designed to support the training and development of scientists with interests relevant to the mission of NINDS. Potential applicants may wish to familiarize themselves with a general overview of research supported by NINDS. A detailed portfolio of NINDS research interests can be viewed in association with the Institute’s Program Directors.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS for both Programs

    Link to PAs and RFAs: (1) PA-10-108, (2) PA-10-109

    Application Kits: (1) Broad F31 Program: SF 424, (2) Diversity F31 Program: SF 424

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Individual NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowships:

  • F05 International Neuroscience Fellowship Program
    This program provides a unique opportunity to qualified foreign neuroscientists, at the junior or mid-career level, to receive up to three years of research training in the United States (U.S.).

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-11-106
  • F32 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows
    To provide postdoctoral training to individuals to broaden their scientific background and to extend their potential for research in specified health related areas.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-110

    Application Kit: SF 424
     
  • F33 National Research Service Award for Senior Fellows
    For senior fellows who wish to: (a) make major changes in the direction of their research careers; (b) broaden their scientific background; or (c) acquire new research capabilities. These awards enable individuals beyond the new-investigator stage to take time from regular professional responsibilities to increase their capabilities in health-related research.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-111

    Application Kit: SF 424

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Mentored Research Career Development Awards

  • K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards
    the NINDS has two separate programs under the aegis of the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award:
    (A) Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research
    (B) Re-Entry Into the Neurological Sciences Program (RENS)

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: (A) PAR-09-065, (B) PA-10-056, NOT-OD-09-029

    Application Kits: (A) SF 424, (B) SF 424

  • K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award
    designed to recruit and prepare clinically trained persons for research and teaching careers in areas of basic or clinical science related to neurological disorders. Although the award is primarily targeted to candidates holding an MD or equivalent degree, it may also support individuals holding other health professional degrees.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-059, NOT-OD-09-029

    Application Kit: SF 424

  • K12 Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA)
    to facilitate and support the career development of pediatric neurologists who have made a commitment to independent research careers.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-10-229

    Application Kit: SF 424

 

  • K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
    to provide support for the career development of investigators who have made a commitment to focus their research on patient oriented research. Provides support for 3-5 years of supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who have the potential to develop into productive clinical investigators.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-060, NOT-OD-09-029

    Application Kit: SF 424

  • K25 Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award
    to support the career development of investigators with quantitative scientific and engineering backgrounds outside of biology or medicine who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors on behavioral and biomedical research.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-062, NOT-NS-06-011, NOT-OD-09-029

    Application Kit: SF 424

  • K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence (PI) Award
    to facilitate the transition of outstanding postdoctoral candidates from mentored to independent research positions. The award contains two components, a mentored (K99) phase that can last up to 2 years and an independent (R00) phase, which will have a duration of 3 years.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-063

    Application Kit: SF 424

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Independent Scientist Career Development Awards

  • K02 Independent Scientist Award
    to provide support for health professionals who are committed to a career in neuroscience research and who have recently achieved independent scientist status.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-057, NOT-OD-09-029 

    Application Kit: SF 424

 

  • K24 Mid-Career Investigator Award in Patient Oriented Research
    to provide support for clinicians and allow them protected time to devote to patient oriented research and to act as mentors for beginning clinical investigators.

    Instructions Specific to NINDS

    Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-10-061, NOT-OD-09-029

    Application Kit: SF 424

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Last updated January 30, 2012