NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)
Open
National Institutes of Health is offering grants of up to $200,000 to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expects to make $200,000 in total. Applications close on January 7, 2028.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed December 17, 2025. Checked October 31, 2026.
- Award ceiling$200,000
- Award floornot stated
- Expected awardsnot stated
- Total funding$200,000
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | November 18, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | January 7, 2028 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | February 12, 2028 |
Add the deadline to your calendar
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.
Is this a realistic fit?
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R03) is intended to support both basic and clinical research from rehabilitation scientists who are establishing independent research careers. The research must be focused on one or more of the areas within the mission of NCMRR: Applicants are encouraged to refer to the NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation for strategic priorities (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/news/110121-NIH-rehab-plan). The NCMRR ECR Award R03 grant mechanism supports various types of projects including secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; translational research; outcomes research; and development of new technology. Irrespective of the type of project, the intent of the NCMRR ECR Award R03 is for the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) to obtain sufficient preliminary data for a subsequent R01 application.
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov and the agency's announcement. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.
Questions go to National Institutes of Health, grantsinfo@nih.gov, 301-402-2541.
Questions people ask
Who can apply for NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)?
National Institutes of Health accepts applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)?
Closes January 7, 2028 (433 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $200,000 each. About $200,000 in total.
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