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 information on International Activities.
NIH-wide Parent Announcements (For Unsolicited or Investigator-Initiated Applications)
- Research (R)
- Research Training (T)
- Career Development (K)
- Fellowships (F)
- Admin Supplements
- Post-award Administrative Action
NINDS Specific Grant Programs
Research Project Grants
- R01 Research Project Grant
- R03 Small Grant Program
- R15 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA Grant)
- R21 Exploratory/Developmental Grant
- R61/R33 Research Projects Exploratory/Developmental Grants
- R25 Research Education Grant
- R35 Research Program Award
- R37 Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award
- P01 Research Program Project Grant
Center Grants
- P30 Center Core Grant
- P50 Center Grant
Cooperative Agreement Awards
- U01 Research Project - Cooperative Agreement
- U10 Cooperative Clinical Research Grant
- U24 Resource-Related Research Project - Cooperative Agreement
- U44 NINDS Cooperative Small Business Awards in Translational Research (SBIR)
- U54 Specialized Center - Cooperative Agreement
- UH2 Exploratory/Developmental Cooperative Agreement Phase I
- UH3 Exploratory/Developmental Cooperative Agreement Phase II
Conference Grants
Small Business Grants
- R41 Small Business Technology Transfer Grants (STTR Phase I)
- R42 Small Business Technology Transfer Grants (STTR Phase II)
- R43 Small Business Innovative Research Grants (SBIR Phase I)
- R44 Small Business Innovative Research Grants (SBIR Phase II)
Institutional Training Related Programs
- T32 Institutional National Research Service Award
- T32 Jointly Sponsored Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in Neurosciences (JSPTPN)
- K12 Neurological Sciences Academic Development Award (NSADA)
- K12 Neurosurgeon Research Career Development Program (NRCDP)
- R25 NIH Summer Research Experience Programs
- R25 NINDS Research Education Opportunities
- R25 NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuropathology and Neuroradiology
- R25 NINDS Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience
- R25 Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (ENDURE)
Individual NRSA Predoctoral Fellowships
- F30 Individual NRSA for MD-PhD or Other Dual-Doctoral Degree Students
- F31 MD-PhD Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Awards
- F31 PhD Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Awards
- F31 Diversity PhD Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Awards
Individual NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowships
Mentored Research Career Development Awards
- K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Awards
- K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award
- K22 NINDS Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research
- K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
- K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence (PI) Award
Independent Scientist Career Development Awards
Research Supplement Awards
Additional Information Links
- Types of Funding Announcements
- Grant Application Forms
- List of all Funding Announcements, including Notices
- Funded Grants and Contracts
- NINDS Funding Strategy
Research Project Grants
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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.
Link to PAs and RFAs: See NINDS Funding OpportunitiesImportant: 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.
Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-18-488
- 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.
Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-18-504Important: As of the October 25, 2009 receipt date, the R15 funding limit was increased to $300,000 in direct costs - R21 NINDS Exploratory Neuroscience Research Grant
The NINDS Exploratory Neuroscience Research Grant program supports exploratory and foundational research projects that fall within the scientific mission of the NINDS. Awards will provide support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. These studies may involve considerable risk, but may lead to breakthroughs in important areas of neuroscience, or to the development of novel techniques, reagents, methodologies, or models, of high value to the neuroscience community. The evolution and vitality of neuroscience requires a constant infusion of new ideas, techniques, and points of view. These may differ substantially from current thinking or practice, and may not yet be supported by substantial preliminary data. This program is intended to encourage research that will explore new ideas, and advance early stages of projects.
Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-21-219IMPORTANT: NINDS is publishing this funding opportunity announcement and withdrawing from the NIH-wide parent R21 announcement. - R61/R33 Research Projects Exploratory/Developmental Grants
Phase I - To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) The R61 award is the first phase to support innovative exploratory and development research activities. This activity code is used in lieu of the R21 activity code when larger budgets are required to establish feasibility for the project.
Phase II -The R33 award is to provide a second phase for the support for innovative exploratory and development research activities initiated under the R61 mechanism.Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-18-761, PAR-18-762, PAR-18-763
NINDS Programs that support the R61/R33 mechanismIMPORTANT: NINDS is publishing this funding opportunity announcement and withdrawing from the NIH-wide parent R21 announcement - 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(pdf, 405 KB) (pdf, 396 KB)
The NINDS currently participates in the three following programs:
- NINDS Research Education Programs for Residents and Fellows in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuropathology and Neuroradiology
- R35 Research Program Award
The goal of the NINDS Research Program Award (RPA), which will use the R35 funding mechanism, is to allow an investigator whose record of research achievement demonstrates his or her ability to make major contributions to neuroscience, the freedom to embark on ambitious, creative, longer-term research projects, without the constraints of specific aims. RPAs will support the overall research programs of NINDS-funded investigators for up to 8 years, at a maximum level of $750,000 direct costs per year.
NINDS Research Program Award - FAQs
Link to PAs and RFAs: RFA-NS-18-032
- R37 Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award
Investigators may not apply for a Javits Award. Nominations for this award are made by NINDS staff and by members of the NANDS Council. These nominations are then reviewed by the Director, NINDS and the NANDS Council. All Javits nominations must be approved by the NANDS Council prior to their award.
More about the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award.
- 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.
Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-21-181
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.
Link to PAs and RFAs: RFA-NS-17-011
- 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.
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
Link to PAs and RFAs: PAR-18-628 - 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: See NINDS Funding Opportunities
- 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
- 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: SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide (pdf, 1.8 MB)
- 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.
- UH2 Exploratory/Developmental Cooperative Agreement Phase I
To support the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time).
- UH3 Exploratory/Developmental Cooperative Agreement Phase II
The UH3 award is to provide a second phase for the support for innovative exploratory and development research activities initiated under the UH2 mechanism. Although only UH2 awardees are generally eligible to apply for UH3 support, specific program initiatives may establish eligibility criteria under which applications could be accepted from applicants demonstrating progress equivalent to that expected under UH2.
Instructions Specific to NINDS: The mechanism is being used by the Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network and CREATE programs. See Translational Research Programs.
Link to PAs and RFAs: See NINDS Funding Opportunities
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. See full NINDS-specific instructions here.
NIH Information: Guidelines for Support of Scientific Meetings by NIH*
Link to PAs and RFAs: PA-21-151
Contact:
Dr. Ernie Lyons
Telephone: (301) 496-9223, Fax (301) 402-0182
E-mail: LyonsE@ninds.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. See full NINDS-specific instructions here.
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;
- 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;
- 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;If you intend to submit an application with human subjects, contact: Stephanie Fertig, MBA, SBIR/STTR Program Manager, sf260n@nih.gov; 301-496-1997
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R44 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
If you intend to submit an application with human subjects, contact: Stephanie Fertig, MBA, SBIR/STTR Program Manager, sf260n@nih.gov; 301-496-1997