NICHD Small Grant Program (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 481

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 481

The NICHD Small Grant Program (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional), funding opportunity number PA-18-481, is a discretionary National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant run by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). It is designed to support investigator-initiated, small-scale research projects that can be completed in a relatively short timeframe and with limited resources. As an R03 mechanism, it is typically used to generate early evidence, refine ideas, or build a foundation for a larger future study, rather than to fund a large, multi-year research program. The "clinical trial optional" designation signals that applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component, but they are not required to do so.

This opportunity is intended for several common project types that fit a small, self-contained scope. Examples include pilot and feasibility studies that test whether an approach is workable before scaling, secondary analyses of existing datasets to answer new questions without collecting new data, compact projects that can be completed end-to-end with a focused aim, and efforts that develop or improve research methods or tools. It also supports the development of new research technologies, which can include creating, adapting, or validating instruments, measures, or technical approaches that advance NICHD-relevant research areas.

The funding activity category is listed under Health, Income Security and Social Services, and the CFDA number is 93.865. The posted award ceiling is $50,000, indicating the program is aimed at modest budgets aligned with small projects. While the listing shows "ExpectedAwards:" without a number, that generally means the exact count may vary based on available funds and the quality of applications received.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and an "other" category that can cover additional qualifying entities. The opportunity also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Key administrative details from the source data include an original closing date of 2021-05-07, a creation date of 2017-12-05, and the funding instrument type being a grant. Overall, the program is best viewed as a practical entry point for targeted NICHD-relevant research that needs limited funding to produce preliminary findings, validate methods, or demonstrate feasibility, with the flexibility to include a clinical trial when appropriate to the specific aims.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NICHD Small Grant Program (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: 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.

Apply for PA 18 481

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: