Back to: Research
NCCAM Research and Training Grants
Keywords: grants, RFA, RFP, PA, R01, fundingOn this page
- Where do I start?
- How does NCCAM prioritize its research?
- What types of research projects does NCCAM fund?
- What types of research training does NCCAM fund?
- Who is eligible for NCCAM funding?
- Whom can I contact with specific questions?
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is 1 of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Like all institutes and centers at NIH, NCCAM supports research projects and research training through the grant application process. Specifically, we fund:
- Scientific research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
- Training for facilitating and conducting CAM research
Where do I start?
Research
Please visit nccam.nih.gov/research for:
- An applicant checklist for new researchers
- Current funding opportunities
- Details about our priorities and application process, including grantwriting tips and sample applications
- Contact information for our Program Officers
Training
For training opportunities, see nccam.nih.gov/training.
How does NCCAM prioritize its research?
We prioritize our research through a formal planning process that draws on:
- Our strategic plan Expanding Horizons of Health Care
- An analysis of our existing grants portfolio
- The expertise of our extramural program staff
- Extensive interactions with experts at other NIH institutes and centers
- Recommendations of our principal advisory body, the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, as well as numerous other expert panels and stakeholders
We regularly reexamine and redefine our research priorities to fill gaps in our portfolio and to capitalize on emerging opportunities that can advance CAM research. Visit our Web site for details and current priorities.
What types of research projects does NCCAM fund?
Our strategic plan for 2005 to 2009 calls for us to substantially increase funding of basic and preclinical studies. We encourage applications for projects that aim to determine the mechanisms of action of CAM modalities.
NCCAM funds both:
- Investigator-initiated research
- Projects developed in response to specific solicitations
NCCAM supports a broad array of basic, preclinical, and clinical research related to various health conditions and CAM modalities. A few examples include:
|
Investigator-Initiated Research/R01s
A common funding mechanism for investigator-initiated research is the R01 grant. This type of grant supports a discrete project by an investigator. R01 applications follow the NIH-wide guidelines provided in the SF424 electronic grant application instructions. Descriptions of other funding mechanisms for research projects can be found on our Web site.
Solicitations/RFAs, RFPs, and PAs
We also solicit applications for research projects and research center grants and contracts through:
- Requests for applications (RFAs)
- Requests for proposals (RFPs)
- Program announcements (PAs)
Small Business Opportunities/SBIR and STTR Programs
We provide funding opportunities to small business concerns through our:
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program
- Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program
What types of research training does NCCAM fund?
We are committed to providing funding for high-quality research training and career development opportunities, with the aim of increasing the number, quality, and diversity of CAM researchers. NCCAM has steadily increased funding for both research training and career development.
We provide funds to assist:
- Pre- and postdoctoral students interested in pursuing a CAM research career
- CAM practitioners, so they may gain knowledge and experience in specific CAM research areas
- Conventional medical researchers and practitioners, so they may increase their knowledge and experience in specific CAM research areas
- Members of populations who are underrepresented in scientific research and interested in careers in CAM
Training awards include:
- Individual fellowships
- Career development and transition awards, which may include mentored research training for CAM practitioners
- Funding through the NIH Loan Repayment Program for doctoral-level researchers who seek to exchange 2 or 3 years of research service for the repayment of educational debt
Applications for research training awards are usually solicited through program announcements on our Web site.
Who is eligible for NCCAM funding?
Individuals and organizations based inside or outside the United States may be eligible to apply for research funding. They must be able to comply with all relevant NIH and NCCAM requirements and policies.
Individuals
We provide funds to assist scientists at all stages of their careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences--both CAM and conventional--from pre- and postdoctoral to midcareer. Supplemental research and training grants are available to current individual NCCAM grantees who:
- Are reentering a career in science
- Have a disability
- Are members of an underrepresented minority group
Organizations
Prospective grantees include for-profit, nonprofit, public, and private institutions.
Whom can I contact with specific questions?
- A specific announcement, contact the NCCAM staff member listed in the "Agency Contacts" section of the announcement
- NCCAM-supported research or the NCCAM application process, contact the NCCAM Division of Extramural Research staff member to find a list of NCCAM Program Officers and their contact information.
- NCCAM-supported international research or collaborative research with significant international components, contact NCCAM's Office of International Health Research.
- CAM or NCCAM in general, contact the NCCAM Clearinghouse toll-free at 1-888-644-6226 (301-519-3153 from outside the U.S.) or at info@nccam.nih.gov
If you have questions, NCCAM staff is available and eager to help. For questions about:
Please visit |
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NCCAM Publication No. D024
Updated December 2006
Note: The PDF file requires a viewer such as Adobe Reader, which you can download free of charge from the Adobe Web site.