Grant Mechanisms and Funding Opportunities
Grant Mechanisms
NIMH assists individuals who wish to become mental health researchers by providing several types of grant support. These include: research grants (R series); career awards (K series); fellowships and training grants (F and T series); research program project and center grants (P series).
| Research Grants (R) | Research Career Development Grants (K) | Small Business Grants (R) |
| Training-Individual Fellowships (F) | Training-Institutional Fellowships (T) | Program Project Grants/Center Grants (P) |
Research Funding Opportunities
In order to solicit research in areas of high priority, NIMH issues a number of funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) each fiscal year. There are two types of FOAs: Program Announcements (PAs) and Request for Applications (RFAs). Click on the links below to view NIMH PAs and RFAs. Included in the text of the announcements are the relevant program officers, who can provide technical assistance with the application, and the grants management contacts, who can provide help with preparing your budget. These are listed in section VII of the specific PA or RFA announcements.
- Identifies areas of increased priority and/or emphasis on particular funding mechanisms for a specific area of science;
- Usually accepted on standard receipt (postmarked) dates on an on-going basis;
- Remains active for three years from date of release unless the announcement indicates a specific expiration date or the Institute decides to deactivate the announcement;
- Special Types:
- PAR: A PA for which special referral guidelines apply as described in the PAR announcement, such that a special review group is formed;
- PAS: A PA that includes specific set-aside funds as described in the PAS announcement.
Request for Applications (RFAs)
- Identifies a more narrowly defined area for which one or more NIH institutes have set aside funds for awarding grants;
- Usually has a single receipt date specified in the RFA announcement;
- Usually reviewed by a Scientific Review Group, known as a Special Emphasis Panel,that is convened by NIMH on a one-time basis.
For more information on these types of funding opportunities see NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.
Future Research Directions
- For future funding announcements from NIMH see NAMHC Concept Clearances.
