Funding Opportunities
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunities
The NIH offers a wide range of grants for different stages of research, from basic science to translational and clinical studies. Below are some key grant types to consider exploring:
R01 Research Project Grant Program
- R01 Research Project Grant Program: The NIH’s most common grant, supports discrete, specified research projects in health.
R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grants
- R21 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grants: For exploratory and novel studies with high risk but high reward.
K01 – Mentored Research Scientist Development Award
- K01 – Mentored Research Scientist Development Award
- The K01 provides mentored research and career development opportunities for researchers with non-clinical doctoral degrees, helping them acquire additional research skills and expertise in a specific area. This is a good choice for PhDs in fields such as biology, psychology, public health, and other scientific disciplines that are highly relevant to clinical and translational research.
- Eligibility: Requires a research or academic doctorate (PhD, ScD, DrPH, etc.). Applicants must show a strong commitment to a research career.
- Duration and Funding: Generally, supports 3-5 years of mentored research training, with salary support and research costs provided. Exact amounts vary by NIH institute.
- Key NIH Institutes Offering K01 Awards:
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): NIMH K01
- National Institute on Aging (NIA): NIA K01
- National Cancer Institute (NCI): Focus on cancer research and related fields. NCI K01
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): NHLBI K01
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): NIAID K01
K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award
K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award: Provides support for postdoctoral researchers transitioning to independent academic roles.
F31 Predoctoral Fellowship
F31 Predoctoral Fellowship: For graduate students conducting dissertation research.
F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship
F32 Postdoctoral Fellowship: Supports training of postdoctoral researchers in NIH-relevant fields.
T32 Institutional Training Grant
T32 Institutional Training Grant: Provides institutions with funding to support research training for predoctoral and postdoctoral students.
R15 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)
R15 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA): Supports small-scale research projects in educational institutions.
U01 Research Project Cooperative Agreements
U01 Research Project Cooperative Agreements: Provides support for collaborative research projects.
NIH Resources and Videos
- NIH Grants Process Overview Video: A helpful resource explaining the NIH application process.
- NIH Grant Writing Tips: Advice from NIH experts on preparing grant applications.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Grants
The NSF funds research and education in science and engineering through various grants:
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP): For graduate students in STEM fields.
- NSF GRFP Information
NSF CAREER Award
NSF CAREER Award: For early-career faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars.
- NSF CAREER Information
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): Provides undergraduate research opportunities.
- NSF REU Information
Department of Defense (DoD) Grants
The DoD offers a variety of funding for health-related research, particularly through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), focusing on areas like breast cancer, psychological health, and spinal cord injury.
- CDMRP Funding Opportunities
American Heart Association (AHA) Grants
The AHA provides funding for research in cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships: For students and early-career researchers.
- AHA Fellowship Information
AHA Career Development Award
AHA Career Development Award: Supports researchers beginning their independent careers.
- AHA Career Development Award Information
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Grants
PCORI funds research that helps patients make informed healthcare decisions.
- Research Grants: Focus on comparative effectiveness research.
- PCORI Funding Information
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation funds global health and development projects, including those related to infectious diseases and maternal health.
- Grand Challenges: Open to innovative solutions for pressing global health issues.
- Gates Foundation Funding Opportunities
Institutional and Internal Funding Opportunities at UT Dallas
UT Dallas offers internal grants to support research initiatives:
- Faculty Research Initiative: Seed funding for new research projects.
- Graduate Student Research Grants: Funding specifically aimed at supporting graduate-level research.
For more details on internal funding, visit UT Dallas Office of Research.
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Grants and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Grants
These programs provide a unique avenue for research commercialization, helping bridge the gap between academic research and market-ready products.
SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Grants
The SBIR program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research and development (R&D) with the potential for commercialization. The program is highly competitive, funding early-stage research that aligns with the priorities of different federal agencies.
Phases of SBIR Funding:
- Phase I: Supports feasibility and proof of concept studies for high-impact ideas.
- Funding: Up to $275,000 for 6-12 months.
- Phase II: Continues R&D efforts based on the success of Phase I, focusing on scaling the project.
- Funding: Up to $1,500,000 for 2 years.
- Phase III: Encourages commercialization of the technology, though no direct SBIR funding is provided.
Relevant Agencies Offering SBIR Funding:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH SBIR Funding
- National Science Foundation (NSF): NSF SBIR Program
- Department of Defense (DoD): DoD SBIR Program
- Department of Energy (DOE): DOE SBIR Program
For a full list of agencies participating in the SBIR program, visit the SBIR.gov.
STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) Grants
The STTR program is similar to SBIR but requires small businesses to formally collaborate with research institutions. This program encourages technology transfer and commercialization by funding cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions like universities.
Phases of STTR Funding:
- Phase I: Focuses on establishing the feasibility of the technology or concept with close cooperation between the business and the research institution.
- Funding: Up to $275,000 for 6-12 months.
- Phase II: Expands on Phase I projects to develop a prototype or initial product.
- Funding: Up to $1,500,000 for 2 years.
- Phase III: Supports the commercialization of the technology without direct STTR funding.
Key Agencies Offering STTR Funding:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH STTR Funding
- National Science Foundation (NSF): NSF STTR Program
- Department of Defense (DoD): DoD STTR Program
- Department of Energy (DOE): DOE STTR Program
For more details, visit the STTR.gov page.
Additional Resources for SBIR/STTR:
- SBIR/STTR Overview Video: Introduction to SBIR/STTR
- NIH SBIR/STTR Applicant Assistance Program: Provides guidance on preparing SBIR/STTR proposals.