Part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NINR supports research that enhances health and wellness at every stage of life. The Institute offers grants to individuals at all points in their career, from early investigators to established scientists as well as to support small businesses and research centers.
Below is a list of the types of research grant programs supported by NINR. To search for specific funding opportunities at NIH, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.
NIH Research Project Grant Program
- NIH's most commonly used grant program, supports discrete, specified, circumscribed projects
- No dollar limit unless specified
- Generally awarded for three to five years
NIH Research Enhancement Award
- AREA supports research at predominantly undergraduate institutions
- REAP supports research at health professional and graduate schools
- Eligibility limited
- Direct cost limited to $300,000 over project period
- Project period up to three years
NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award
- Supports early project development, pilot or feasibility studies
- No preliminary data is generally required
- Limited to two years of funding
- Combined two-year budget for direct costs not to exceed $275,000
Small Business Innovative Research
- Funds early-stage U.S. small businesses seeking to commercialize innovative biomedical technologies
- PI's primary employment must be with the small business concern.
Small Business Technology Transfer
- Supports collaboration between U.S. small businesses and research institutions
- PI may be employed with either collaborating component
- STTR's role is to bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations
Exploratory Centers (P20)
Centers of Excellence (P30)
- Exploratory Centers support institutions with relatively new research programs
- Centers of Excellence support institutions with demonstrated research success
- Applications must respond to an RFA
Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award:
Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award:
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for Senior Fellows:
Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award:
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award:
Mid-career Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research:
Pathway to Independence Award:
Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Service Award: