NIH Small Grant Program (R03)

Office of Extramural Research (OER) Web Site

Introduction

The R03 grant mechanism will support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. The NIH has standardized the Small Grant (R03) application characteristics, requirements, preparation, and review procedures in order to accommodate investigator-initiated (unsolicited) applications.

The R03 Parent Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for investigator-initiated R03 applications can be found at PA-09-163 and articulates the policies and procedures that apply to this grant mechanism.

This website describes the use of the investigator-initiated R03 and describes the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) that intend to accept such applications.

Application Characteristics

You 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.
The R03 can not be renewed
One resubmission (A1) is allowed
Introduction required for a resubmission is limited to one page.
No preliminary data are required but may be included if available.
The Research Plan may not exceed 10 pages.
A doctoral student may not apply for an R03 grant to support thesis or dissertation research. An R03 award may be used to assist students who are pursuing dissertation studies when the work is within the scope of the R03 award.

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

All investigators should consult the list of participating ICs (shown below) as well as the IC staff listed as contacts (PA-09-163) to determine if an R03 application is appropriate. Investigators are strongly encouraged to consult with the appropriate NIH program administrator about their proposed research project during the concept development stage of the application.

All R03 grant applications 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.

There is also a list of ICs that do not accept unsolicited R03 applications. Non-participating ICs might solicit other R03 applications using Requests for Applications (RFAs) or Program Announcements (PAs) to meet specific program needs. Information about such initiatives can be obtained in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html and by consulting with NIH staff. In some cases those announcements may specify different application characteristics, review criteria, and receipt dates

R03 Participating Institutes and Centers

NIH Institutes and Centers that DO Accept Investigator-Initiated R03 Applications in Response to the Parent R03 Announcement - (PA-09-163): NHGRI, NIA, NIAAA, NIAID, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDA, NIEHS, NIMH, NINDS and NINR.

R03 Non-Participating Institutes and Centers

NIH Institutes and Centers that DO NOT Accept R03 applications in response to the Parent R03 Announcement but ONLY accept R03 applications in response to their specific funding opportunity announcements: FIC, NCCAM, NCI, NCRR, NHLBI, NIAMS, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIDDK, NIGMS and NLM.
NIH Institutes and Centers that DO NOT use the R03 mechanism: NCMHD, NEI

Electronic Submission

Electronic Submission – NIH requires electronic submission of the SF424 (R&R) form through Grants.gov to NIH for all R21 grant applications. Institutions must register in two separate systems: Grants.gov and eRA Commons Project Directors/Principal Investigators also must be registered in eRA Commons.