DER develops, implements, and coordinates cross-cutting, multidisciplinary research activities within NICHD's mission. The research portfolio is quite broad, including biological, behavioral, and clinical research related to conception and pregnancy, normal and abnormal development in childhood, reproductive health, and population dynamics across the lifespan. While NICHD's Division of Intramural Research conducts laboratory and clinical research programs at NIH, DER coordinates and funds research and training programs across the United States and many other countries through grants and contracts.
DER advises the NICHD Director on extramural research and training policies and activities. It also provides scientific peer review, grants management, and program management and oversight for roughly 3,500 competing grant applications and over 450 new and competing awards each year. With a focus on scientific priorities and research integrity, DER leads implementation of extramural policies and procedures for NICHD.
Please visit Extramural Scientific Branches to learn more about NICHD research priorities and funding opportunities. You can also view the organizational structure of DER (PDF 247 KB).
- Della Hann, Ph.D., DER Director
- Caroline Signore, M.D., M.P.H., DER Deputy Director
- Meredith D. Temple-O'Connor, Ph.D., Senior Policy Advisor for Clinical Research
- Bill Duval, Ph.D., Senior Policy Advisor
- Samantha Sanchez, Administrator
Extramural Scientific Branches
Learn about DER's 12 scientific branches and the research they support.
Who can I talk to about my grant application and funding?
Find the right DER person to talk with about your research, by research area.
Funding Opportunities
- Active Funding Opportunity Announcements
- PA-18-480: NICHD Research Project Grant (R01 – Clinical Trial Required)
Supports clinical trials; the new parent R01 FOA will not allow clinical trials. - PA-18-481: NICHD Small Grant Program (R03 – Clinical Trial Optional)
Supports both clinical trials and non-trial research; the new parent R03 FOA will not allow clinical trials. - PA-18-482: NICHD Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 – Clinical Trial Optional)
Supports both clinical trials and non-trial research; the new parent R21 FOA will not allow clinical trials. Please note that NICHD no longer participates in the parent R21 FOA. NICHD will not accept applications submitted to the parent R21 FOA. - PA-18-343: Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15 – Clinical Trial Required)
Joint FOA with NIDCD, NIBIB, and NIMH; the new parent R15 FOA will not allow clinical trials.
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