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Types of Grants Supported by NIDDKThe NIDDK supports research under a variety of grant, contract, and cooperative agreement activities or mechanisms. This list identifies the major activities and does not preclude the funding of others in the future. Application TypesSee table of receipt dates.
Research Project Grants
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)(See NIH SBIR and NIDDK SBIR pages.)
Centers(See funded NIDDK Centers.)Careers(See Training page.)
Other Research
Training(See Training page.)
Contracts(See Contracts page.)
Major Funding CategoriesResearch Project Grants
Program projects generally involve the organized efforts of three or more investigators who conduct projects with a central research focus or objective, or are focussed in on a range of problems that share a central research focus. Although each project has a well-defined research goal, they must be interdependent. A program project is usually under the overall leadership of a recognized senior investigator. The individual cores and subprojects will also each have a principal investigator. The important concept that distinguishes a program project from a collection of R01s is demonstrated synergy between the investigators, research resources, and research goals. A program project must be seen as greater than the sum of its parts. The P01 grant can support certain shared basic resources used by the research team, including clinical components that facilitate the total research effort. Eligibility criteria are the same as for the traditional Research Project Grant. In general, they are reviewed by a special committee during a site visit. A letter of intent is required for P01s, and potential applicants may be asked to present their proposal to NIDDK staff prior to obtaining approval for submission (often via videoconference). NIDDK guidelines for preparation of a P01 application should be consulted. Program projects, like other large grants, may be subject to a lower payline than other regular research grants.
The R01 grant is the most widely used NIH mechanism for research support (>70% of all NIDDK support). The R01is an investigator-initiated research grant awarded to public and private organizations and institutions, governments and their agencies (including other Federal institutions), foreign institutions, and international organizations, to provide support for a discrete, specified research project to be performed by a named principal investigator. The individual, or principal investigator (P.I.) is responsible for conceptualizing, originating, and completing the proposed research. Clinical trials may be supported using this mechanism. Detailed information and eligibility criteria may be found in the Grants Policy Statement. Prospective applicants should be aware that all R01s (new or competing continuations) that request $250,000 or less in direct costs for each year must be submitted using a Modular Grant format. Although applicants using this format must request between 1 and 10 $25,000 modules each year, the requested budget must be reasonable for the proposed work. All budgets greater than $250,000 must be detailed. An applicant planning to request $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year (including indirect costs on subcontracts) is advised that he or she must contact NIDDK program staff for permission several weeks before submission.
To provide limited research support for studies that meet specific program needs. They are typically 1-3 year, nonrenewable awards used to support pilot projects, to test new techniques, or perform feasibility studies of innovative and high-risk research. R03 applications can only be received in response to an RFA or PA. They have been used particularly for planning grants for clinical trials and for additional support for NIDDK investigators holding a K08 award. 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 up to a 36-month period. See NIH Guide for general information and receipt dates.
The R21 is an exploratory/developmental grant mechanism used to foster the development of high-risk pilot and feasibility research by established or newly independent investigators to develop new ideas sufficiently to allow for submission of a full R01 application. These grants are not intended to support or supplement ongoing funded research of an established investigator. R21 applications can be submitted only in response to specific RFA or program announcements, and are not renewable. Continuation of projects developed under this program is through the regular research grant program (R01). Although the duration and amount of R21 awards may vary depending on the announcement, typical caps are $100,000/year and 2 years.
The R24 is used to support research projects that will enhance the capability of resources to serve biomedical research. An R24 can only be submitted in response to a specific RFA or PA, which then defines the type of projects, duration, and funds that can be requested. An applicant planning to request $500,000 or more in direct costs (including indirect costs on subcontracts) for any year is advised that he or she must contact NIDDK program staff for permission several weeks before submission.
Investigators who have demonstrated superior competence and outstanding productivity during their research careers, and who are highly likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner, may be selected to extend an initial 5-year R01 award for an additional 5 years based on an expedited review. Program staff and/or members of the NIDDK 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. Investigators may not apply for a MERIT award.
Like grants, Cooperative Agreements support research and related activities but they also provide for substantial Division staff involvement in organizing and managing the project. This mechanism is often used to fund clinical trials or Centers. Applications for Cooperative Agreements are accepted only in response to a specific RFA. Small Business Research Grants
These grants support cooperative research and development projects between small business concerns and not-for-profit research institutions that have potential for commercialization. The Phase I award (R41) allows up to $100,000 for 1 year to establish the technical merit and feasibility of ideas. The Phase II award (R42) provides up to $500,000 and 2 years support for in-depth development of ideas with feasibility that has already been established in Phase I. Awards are made to small business concerns only. Applicants can also choose the Fast-Track option, which allows for submission and review of Phase I and Phase II applications simultaneously. Guidance and information on preparing STTR applications can be found on the NIH grants page. STTR topics of special interest to the Division can be found in the Omnibus Solicitation. (pdf-1.1mb) Under the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, NIH must target funds to promote technological innovation within the American small business community. This law gives small businesses a larger role in Federal research and development projects and attracts private capital to market resulting products or services. There are three phases of an SBIR grant or contract. In phase I, a small business is allowed up to $100,000 and 6 months to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a biomedical research product or service that has commercialization potential. During phase II, the company is allowed up to $750,000 and 2 years to fully develop the product or service begun in phase I. In phase III, the small business markets the product or service with capital from non-Federal sources. These amounts and durations are provided as guidelines and may be exceeded with appropriate justification. Guidance and information on preparing SBIR applications can be found at the NIH SBIR page. SBIR topics of particular interest to NIDDK can be found in the Omnibus Solicitation. (pdf-1.1mb) Research Centers
P20 grants are used to support planning for a new program, expansion or modification of existing resources, and feasibility studies to explore various approaches to the development of interdisciplinary projects that offer potential solutions to problems of special significance to the mission of NIDDK. These exploratory studies may lead to specialized or comprehensive centers. Core Centers provide shared resources to a group of investigators to foster a coordinated interdisciplinary clinical and basic research approach. The core center grant is designed to enhance and extend the effectiveness of a group of related projects and investigators already funded through other mechanisms such as research project or program project grants. In this respect, the core center mechanism builds upon an established base of research excellence. A Core Center, by providing more accessible resources, is expected to assure a greater productivity than from the separate projects and program projects. The research activities of a center should focus on research that is relevant to the underlying cause, mechanism, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control, or treatment of diseases of interest to NIDDK. Core Centers provide funds for 1. Shared resources (cores), such as tissue
culture, immunoassay, nutritional assessment, or other central research service
facilities. NIDDK uses the P30 mechanism for support of Diabetes Endocrinology Research Centers (DERC), Gene Therapy Centers, Cystic Fibrosis Centers, Digestive Diseases Centers, Clinical Nutrition Research Units, and Obesity/Nutrition Research Units. Applications for Center Grants are accepted only in response to a specific RFA. Before submitting an application, please consult the appropriate program director and obtain specific administrative guidelines for these applications. The Specialized Center of Research Grant (P50) supports an interdisciplinary clinical and basic research approach to understanding and treating disease. These centers support both research projects and shared basic resources.Centers may support any part of the full range of research and development from very basic to clinical and 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. Applications for Center Grants are accepted only in response to a specific RFA.
Comprehensive Centers support a multipurpose unit designed to bring together into a common focus divergent but related facilities within a given community. It may be based in a university or may involve other locally available resources, such as hospitals, computer facilities, regional centers, and primate colonies. It may include specialized centers, program projects, and projects as integral components. Regardless of the facilities available to a program, it usually includes the following objectives: to foster biomedical research and development at both the fundamental and clinical levels; to initiate and expand community education, screening, and counseling programs; and to educate medical and allied health professionals concerning the problems of diagnosis and treatment of a specific disease. NIDDK currently uses this mechanism to support Diabetes Research and Training Centers (DRTCs). Like Core Center Grants, the DRTCs support core resources and pilot and feasibility studies. They also provide support for a Demonstration and Evaluation component focusing on training and translation of diabetes research. Applications for Center Grants are accepted only in response to a specific RFA. Other Research
Conference Grants/Cooperative Agreements are awarded to institutions and organizations (not individuals) to provide partial support for international or domestic meetings, conferences, and workshops to coordinate, exchange, and disseminate research information. NIDDK is especially interested in conference grants used to cover travel expenses for young and minority investigators, although meeting publications, salaries, consultant services, equipment rental, and supplies may be requested. Indirect costs normally are not allowed. Conference grants will not be accepted unless permission is received from program staff before submission. 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. It can be used for research in how to develop better information dissemination to specific target groups. To strengthen the biomedical research and research training capability of ethnic minority institutions, and thus establish a more favorable milieu for increasing the involvement of minority faculty and students in biomedical research. The purpose of these awards is to support clinical evaluation of various methods of therapy and/or prevention in specific disease areas. These represent cooperative programs between sponsoring institutions and participating principal investigators, and are usually conducted under established protocols. 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. Research Contracts
To develop and/or apply new knowledge or to test, screen, or evaluate a product, material, device, or component for use by the scientific community. |
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