Kimberle's Links

NIH

E-mail: grantsinfo@nih.gov

Phone: 301-435-0714

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• Request for Applications (RFA)
  Requests for Applications (RFAs) are typically one-time solicitations for grant applications addressing a defined research topic. Each RFA specifies the scope and objectives of the research to be proposed; application requirements and procedures; and the review criteria to be applied in the evaluation of applications submitted in response to the RFA. Although there are exceptions, these types of solicitations offer only one Application Receipt Date.

  
   

• Program Announcements (PA)
  A Program Announcement (PA) is used by the institute to announce its interest in building or enhancing its research program in a particular area. The PA typically is an ongoing solicitation, accepting applications for multiple receipt dates, for up to three years. The PA specifies the scope and objectives of the research of interest, application requirements and procedures, and review criteria to be applied. There are two variations of the standard PA, a Program Announcement with Set-Aside Funds (PAS) and a Program Announcement Reviewed by an Institution (PAR)

  
   

  • PAS Mechanism
    A PAS is a program announcement with a specific dollar amount set aside by the Institute to fund select applications that receive a score beyond the payline. Set-aside funds will be distributed across the duration of the PAS.

    
     

  • PAR Mechanism
    A PAR is a program announcement whose applications will be reviewed by the Institute, rather than the NIH Center for Scientific Review.

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NIH Grant Mechanisms

The R21 is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of development.

Applications submitted under this mechanism should be exploratory and novel. These studies should break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications. Projects of limited cost or scope that use widely accepted approaches and methods are better suited for the R03 small grant mechanism

The R03 award 
supports small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of 
time with limited resources.

SCOPE
The common characteristic of the small grant is 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: 

o Pilot or feasibility studies
o Secondary analysis of existing data
o Small, self-contained research projects
o Development of research methodology
o Development of new research technology

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