Introduction

The NIH has standardized the Small Grant (R03) application characteristics, requirements, preparation, and review procedures in order to accommodate investigator-initiated (unsolicited) applications. This website describes the use of the investigator-initiated R03 and describes the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) that intend to accept such applications.

As in the past, the R03 award will support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. Investigators wishing to apply for an R03 grant should be aware that not all ICs accept investigator-initiated R03 applications and that the different ICs may have specific purposes for which they use this funding mechanism. Before preparing an application for an R03 grant, all investigators should consult the list of participating ICs (shown below) as well as the IC staff listed as contacts to determine if an R03 application is appropriate. There is also a list of ICs that do not accept unsolicited R03 applications. All investigator-initiated small grant applications described in this announcement will be assigned to the ICs according to standard PHS referral guidelines and specific program interests. Applications that are assigned to an IC that does not participate in this program may be returned without review.

Some of the non-participating ICs may solicit R03 applications using Requests for Applications (RFAs) or special Program Announcements (PAs) in order to meet specific programmatic needs. In some cases those announcements may specify different application characteristics, review criteria, and receipt dates. All such announcements will be published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html. The PA for investigator-initiated R03 applications can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-108.html and articulates the policies and procedures that apply to this program.

Scope

The common characteristic of the small grant is the provision of limited funding for a short period of time. Examples of the types of projects that ICs support with the R03 include the following:

• Pilot or feasibility studies
• Secondary analysis of existing data
• Small, self-contained research projects
• Development of research methodology
• Development of new research technology

Application Characteristics

• Applicants for an R03 award may request a project period of up to two years and a budget for direct costs of up to two $25,000 modules or $50,000 per year.
• Small grant support is for new projects only; competing continuation applications will not be accepted.
• Small grant support may not be used for thesis or dissertation research.
• Only one revision of a previously reviewed small grant application may be submitted.
• The Research Plan (Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Preliminary Studies, and Research Design and Methods) of an application for a small grant may not exceed a total of 10 pages.
• A Progress Report is not needed; competing continuation applications for a small grant will be not accepted.
• The appendix may include only original, glossy photographs or color images of gels, micrographs, etc. provided that a photocopy (may be reduced in size) is also included within the page limits of the research plan. No publications or other printed material, with the exception of preprinted questionnaires or surveys, may be included in the appendix.

R03 Participating/Non-Participating Institutes and Centers

• Listing of NIH Institutes and Centers that Do Accept Investigator-Initiated R03 Applications
  Includes the Following:  NEI, NIA, NIAAA, NIAID, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDA, NIDCR, NIEHS, NIMH, NINDS, NINR, NLM.



• Listing of NIH Institutes and Centers that Do NOT Accept Investigator-Initiated R03 Applications
  Includes the Following:  FIC, NCCAM, NCI, NCMHD, NCRR, NHGRI, NHLBI, NIAMS, NIDCD, NIDDK, NIGMS.