Investigator-Initiated Research Grants

The NCRR Division for Biomedical Technology Research and Research Resources (DBTRRR) supports technology-driven, investigator-initiated Research Project Grants (RPGs). These projects could lead to new or improved instruments, technologies, devices, and methodologies that will have broad application to biomedical research. These resource-related RPGs ensure that our nation’s biomedical research community will always have available to them the most advanced technologies and instruments. Proposals to develop technologies that would not have broad applications, but would apply only to a specific disease or category of research, should be proposed to the appropriate categorical institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). RPG proposals should be submitted in response to NCRR Requests for Applications and Program Announcements. The DBTRRR supports RPGs through the following grant mechanisms:

• (R01) Investigator-initiated Research Project Grants* support research that may involve a concept, design, fabrication, and/or test of technologies with the overall objectives of leading to more powerful and more precise biomedical technology. The research should be in an investigator’s area of interest and competency. Refer to the Biomedical Technology Program Guidelines for information on application preparation and review criteria. Applicants must use the PHS Form 398. The application is expected to include preliminary data that supports the proposed project.
  
  

*R01 grants also support newly independent biomedical investigators to develop their research capabilities in areas of technological research and development and to demonstrate the merits of their research ideas.



• (R21) Exploratory/Development Grants (Phase I) stimulate exploration of new, high-risk, biomedical technology research and development that will generate preliminary data to support a future application for an R01 grant from either NCRR or another NIH component. An application for an R21 grant is expected to encompass work at the edge of a new frontier or the limits of understanding of a biomedical research problem. Refer to the Biomedical Technology Program Guidelines for additional information on application preparation and review criteria. Applicants must use the PHS Form 398. Phase II of research supported by an R21 grant could be funded by an R33 grant to help an investigator avoid a funding gap that may occur when an award of an R01 grant is delayed. An R33 grant, described below, could become immediately available to an R21 grantee when predefined project milestones have been achieved.
  
  
• (R33) Exploratory/Development Grants (Phase II) are usually awarded as an R21/R33 combination to help R21 grantees avoid a funding gap if an R01 grant award is delayed. Essentially, the intent of the combined R21/R33 project should be in the spirit of an R01. This combination award could provide up to five years of funding, at which time a new, more powerful or precise instrument, technology, or computer software will have been developed, or at least matured enough for the investigator to compete for a follow-on award through another grant mechanism. A Request for Applications or a Program Announcement for the R21/R33 includes application instructions. Applicants must use the PHS Form 398.
  
  
• (R13) Scientific Conference Grants support national and international meetings sponsored and directed by the R13 grantees. Such meetings must be relevant to the goals of the NCRR DBTRRR. To ensure DBTRRR’s interest in the proposed meeting, prospective grantees should contact a DBTRRR program official before submitting an application for funding. If DBTRRR determines a sufficient need to have substantial involvement in the planning and conduct of the scientific meeting, then a cooperative agreement (U13)--instead of an R13--would be awarded. For detailed information, including application requirements, refer to the Biomedical Program Technology Guidelines.
  
  
• (R15) Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) is an NIH effort to stimulate research in educational institutions that provide baccalaureate training for a significant number of our nation’s research scientists but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. NCRR participates in the AREA grant program to supports resource-related research projects proposed by faculty members of eligible institutions. This award enables qualified scientists to receive support for up to three years for small-scale research projects. Application information, including review considerations and award criteria, is available in the NIH Program Announcement: PA-99-062.
  
  
• (R24) Resource-related Research Grants support investigator-initiated projects that predominantly support research to develop new resources or to improve existing ones. DBTRRR accepts applications for R24 grants only in response to specific Requests for Applications or Program Announcements it has issued.
  
  
• Other Research Project Grant Opportunities:
  • Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
  • Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

For further information, contact: