There are numerous grant mechanisms available to each institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research related to their mission. Each mechanism has a specific purpose and each institute uses a mix of mechanisms to structure its research portfolio. This page provides a description of mechanisms used by NIEHS along with application guidelines for selected mechanisms.
| MECHANISM |
DESCRIPTION |
| F 30 |
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for MD/PhD Fellowships (ADAMHA)(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-151.html) 
Individual fellowships for predoctoral training which leads to the combined MD/PhD degrees. |
| F 31 |
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-106.html)
To provide predoctoral individuals with supervised research training in specified health and health-related areas leading toward the research degree (e.g., PhD). |
| F 32 |
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-107.html)
To provide postdoctoral research training to individuals to broaden their scientific background and extend their potential for research in specified health-related areas. |
| F 33 |
National Research Service Awards for Senior Fellows(http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-172.html)
To provide opportunities for experienced scientists to make major changes in the direction of research careers, to broaden scientific background, to acquire new research capabilities, to enlarge command of an allied research field, or to take time from regular professional responsibilities for the purpose of increasing capabilities to engage in health-related research. |
| K 01 |
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-001.html)
For support of a scientist, committed to research, in need of both advanced research training and additional experience. |
| K 02 |
Research Scientist Development Award - Research(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-527.html)
For support of a scientist, committed to research, in need of additional experience. |
| K 08 |
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA)(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-003.html)
To provide the opportunity for promising medical scientists with demonstrated aptitude to develop into independent investigators, or for faculty members to pursue research aspects of categorical areas applicable to the awarding unit, and aid in filling the academic faculty gap in these shortage areas within health profession's institutions of the country. |
| K 12 |
Physician Scientist Award(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-06-005.html)
For support to a newly trained clinician appointed by an institution for development of independent research skills and experience in a fundamental science within the framework of an interdisciplinary research and development program. |
| K18 |
Career Enhancement Award
Provides either full-time or part-time support for experienced scientists who wish to broaden their skills and capabilities, or to make changes in their research careers by acquiring new research skills or knowledge. Career enhancement experiences supported by this award should usually last no more than one year. |
| K 23 |
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-143.html)
To provide support for the career development of investigators who have made a commitment of focus their research endeavors on patient-oriented research. This mechanism provides support for a 3 year minimum up to 5 year period of supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who have the potential to develop into productive, clinical investigators. |
| K 24 |
Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research(http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-107.html)
To provide support for the clinicians to allow them protected time to devote to patient-oriented research and to act as mentors for beginning clinical investigators. |
| K 25 |
Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-087.html)
To engender and foster such activities by supporting the career development of investigators with quantitative scientific and engineering backgrounds outside of biology or medicine who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors on behavioral and biomedical research (basic or clinical). This mechanism is aimed at research-oriented scientists with experience at the level of junior faculty (e.g., early to mid-levels of assistant professor or research assistant professor ranks). This award provides support for a period of mentored study and research for professionals with such backgrounds who have the potential to integrate their expertise with biomedicine and develop into productive investigators.
Examples of quantitative scientific and technical backgrounds outside of biology or medicine considered appropriate for this award include, but are not limited to: mathematics, statistics, computer science, informatics, physics, chemistry, and engineering. |
| L 30 |
Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers(http://www.lrp.nih.gov/about/lrp-clinical.htm)
To provide for the repayment of the educational loan debt of qualified health professionals involved in clinical research. Qualified health professionals who contractually agree to conduct qualified clinical research are eligible to apply for this program. |
| L 40 |
Loan Repayment Program for Pediatric Research(http://www.lrp.nih.gov/about/lrp-pediatric.htm) >
To provide for the repayment of the educational loan debt of qualified health professionals involved in research directly related to diseases, disorders, and other conditions in children. Qualified health professionals who contractually agree to conduct qualified pediatric research are eligible to apply for this program. |
| P 01 |
Program Project Grants(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/funding/grants/mechanisms/p01.cfm)
For the support of a broadly based, multidisciplinary, often long-term research program which has a specific major objective or a basic theme. A program project generally involves the organized efforts of relatively large groups, members of which are conducting research projects designed to elucidate the various aspects or components of this objective. Each research project is usually under the leadership of an established investigator. The grant can provide support for certain basic resources used by these groups in the program, including clinical components, the sharing of which facilitates the total research effort. A program project is directed toward a range of problems having a central research focus, in contrast to the usually narrower thrust of the traditional research project. Each project supported through this mechanism should contribute or be directly related to the common theme of the total research effort. These scientifically meritorious projects should demonstrate an essential element of unity and interdependence, i.e., a system of research activities and projects directed toward a well-defined research program goal. |
| P 20 |
Planning Grants(http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DE-06-002.html)
To support planning for new programs, expansion or modification of existing resources, and feasibility studies to explore various approaches to the development of interdisciplinary programs that offer potential solutions to problems of special significance to the mission of the NIH. These exploratory studies may lead to specialized or comprehensive centers. |
| P 30 |
Center Core Grants(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/centers/core/guidelines.cfm)
The NIEHS
uses this mechanism for its EHS Core Centers Program. Its purpose is to support shared resources and facilities for categorical research by a number of investigators from different disciplines who provide a multidisciplinary approach to a joint research effort or from the same discipline who focus on a common research problem. The core grant is integrated with the center's component projects or program projects, though funded independently from them. This support, by providing more accessible resources, is expected to assure a greater productivity than from the separate projects and program projects. |
| P 42 |
Hazardous Substances Basic Research Grants Program (NIEHS)
The NIEHS
uses this mechanism for its Superfund Basic Research Program. This mechanism is used to support basic research directed towards understanding and attenuating the public health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances, including 1) advanced techniques for detection, assessment and evaluation of the effects on human health of hazardous substances; 2) methods to assess risks to human health presented by hazardous substances; 3) methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environment and 4) basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances. This special program, authorized under Superfund legislation, is for a broadly based, multi-disciplinary research effort which must include biomedical research components and which may include research components related to engineering, hydrogeology, ecology and epidemiology so long as they are linked to basic biomedical science. Each research project is generally under the leadership of an established investigator. The grant can provide support for certain basic resources used by the groups in the program (cores), including an administrative structure for effective coordination. |
| P 50 |
Centers of Research Translation(http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-06-003.html)
To support any part of the full range of research and development from very basic to clinical; may involve ancillary supportive activities such as protracted patient care necessary to the primary research or R&D effort. The spectrum of activities comprises a multidisciplinary attack on a specific disease entity or biomedical problem area. These grants differ from program project grants in that they are usually developed in response to an announcement of the programmatic needs of an Institute or Division and subsequently receive continuous attention from its staff. Centers may also serve as regional or national resources for special research purposes. |
| R 01 |
Research Project Grants(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-070.html)
To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his specific interest and competencies. |
| R 03 |
Small Grant Program(http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/r03.htm)
To provide research support specifically limited in time and amount for studies in categorical program areas. Small grants provide flexibility for initiating studies which are generally for preliminary short-term projects and are non-renewable. |
| R 13 |
Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/funding/grants/mechanisms/r13u13.cfm)
To support recipient sponsored and directed international, national or regional meetings, conferences and workshops. |
| R 15 |
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA)(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-042.html)
To support small scale research projects conducted by faculty in primarily baccalaureate degree-granting domestic institutions. Awards are for up to $75,000 for direct costs (plus applicable indirect costs) for periods not to exceed 36 months. |
| R 21 |
Exploratory/Developmental Research Grants(http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/r21.htm)
To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) |
| R 25 |
Education Projects
For support to develop and/or implement a program as it relates to a category in one or more of the areas of education, information, training, technical assistance, coordination, or evaluation. |
| R 33 |
Exploratory/Developmental Grants Phase II
The R33 award is to provide a second phase for the support for innovative exploratory and development research activities initiated under the R21 mechanism. Although only R21 awardees are generally eligible to apply for R33 support, specific program initiatives may establish eligibility criteria under which applications could be accepted from applicants demonstrating progress equivalent to that expected under R33. |
| R 37 |
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award
To provide long-term grant support to investigators whose research competence and productivity are distinctly superior and who are highly likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner. Investigators may not apply for a MERIT award. Program staff and/or members of the cognizant National Advisory Council/Board will identify candidates for the MERIT award during the course of review of competing research grant applications prepared and submitted in accordance with regular PHS requirements. |
| R 41 |
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase I(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/funding/grants/mechanisms/sbir.cfm)
To support cooperative R&D projects between small business concerns and research institutions, limited in time and amount, to establish the technical merit and feasibility of ideas that have potential for commercialization. Awards are made to small business concerns only. |
| R 42 |
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase II(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/funding/grants/mechanisms/sbir.cfm)
To support in-depth development of cooperative R&D projects between small business concerns and research institutions, limited in time and amount, whose feasibility has been established in Phase I and that have potential for commercialization. Awards are made to small business concerns only. |
| R 43 |
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/funding/grants/mechanisms/sbir.cfm)
To support projects, limited in time and amount, to establish the technical merit and feasibility of R&D ideas which may ultimately lead to a commercial product(s) or service(s). |
| R 44 |
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/funding/grants/mechanisms/sbir.cfm)
To support in-depth development of R&D ideas whose feasibility has been established in Phase I and which are likely to result in commercial products or services. SBIR Phase II are considered “Fast-Track” and do not require National Council Review. |
| R 55 |
James A. Shannon Director's Award(http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not96-082.html)
To provide a limited award to investigators to further develop, test, and refine research techniques; perform secondary analysis of available data sets; test the feasibility of innovative and creative approaches; and conduct other discrete projects that can demonstrate their research capabilities and lend additional weight to their already meritorious applications. |
| R 56 |
High Priority, Short Term Project Award(http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/funding/r56.htm)
To provide limited interim research support based on the merit of a pending R01 application while applicant gathers additional data to revise a new or competing renewal application. This grant will underwrite highly meritorious applications that if given the opportunity to revise their application could meet IC recommended standards and would be missed opportunities if not funded. Interim funded ends when the applicant succeeds in obtaining an R01 or other competing award built on the R56 grant. These awards are not renewable. |
| S 11 |
Advanced Research Cooperation in Environmental Health (ARCH)(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/programs/arch/index.cfm)
To promote increased faculty and interdepartmental collaboration through programs that focus on specific research themes or scientific disciplines at developing minority institutions. These grants are intended to strengthen the biomedical research capability in defined areas and to attract other competent biomedical scientists through an improved research environment. |
| T 32 |
Institutional National Research Service Award(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/careers/research/trainingfunded/irt/index.cfm)
To enable institutions to make National Research Service Awards to individuals selected by them for predoctoral and postdoctoral research training in specified shortage areas. |
| T 35 |
NRSA Short-Term Research Training(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-05-117.html)
To provide individuals with research training during off-quarters or summer periods to encourage research careers and/or research in areas of national need. |
| U 01 |
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements
To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his specific interest and competencies. |
| U 09 |
Scientific Review and Evaluation--Cooperative Agreements
To provide the chairman of an initial review group funds for operation of the review group. |
| U 13 |
Conference--Cooperative Agreement(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/funding/grants/mechanisms/r13u13.cfm)
To support international, national or regional meetings, conferences and workshops where substantial programmatic involvement is planned to assist the recipient. |
| U 19 |
Research Program--Cooperative Agreements
To support a research program of multiple projects directed toward a specific major objective, basic theme or program goal, requiring a broadly based, multidisciplinary and often long-term approach. A cooperative agreement research program generally involves the organized efforts of large groups, members of which are conducting research projects designed to elucidate the various aspects of a specific objective. Substantial Federal programmatic staff involvement is intended to assist investigators during performance of the research activities, as defined in the terms and conditions of award. The investigators have primary authorities and responsibilities to define research objectives and approaches, and to plan, conduct, analyze, and publish results, interpretations and conclusions of their studies. Each research project is usually under the leadership of an established investigator in an area representing his/her special interest and competencies. Each project supported through this mechanism should contribute to or be directly related to the common theme of the total research effort. The award can provide support for certain basic shared resources, including clinical components, which facilitate the total research effort. These scientifically meritorious projects should demonstrate an essential element of unity and interdependence. |
| U 45 |
Hazardous Waste Worker Health and Safety Training Cooperative Agreements (NIEHS)
To develop, implement, and evaluate programs to train workers who are or may be engaged in activities related to hazardous waste removal, containment, or emergency response. |
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