Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NIDDK K01/K08/K23 Recipients (R03) | PAR 15 343

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 15 343

The Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NIDDK K01/K08/K23 Recipients (R03) (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-15-343) is a National Institutes of Health initiative from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) designed specifically for investigators who already hold NIDDK-supported career development awards. The core idea is to give K01, K08, and K23 recipients a chance to compete for a Small Grant (R03) during the last two years of their K award, when they are typically building the final pieces of evidence and momentum needed to move into full research independence. In practice, this program is meant to strengthen an early career scientist's ability to lead and complete a focused research project while still under the protected time and mentoring structure of the K mechanism, helping bridge the gap to an R01-level (or equivalent) independent research program.

The opportunity uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is intentionally built for smaller, tightly scoped projects that can be completed relatively quickly and with limited resources. NIDDK highlights several project types that fit well under an R03, including pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing datasets, small and self-contained research projects, and efforts aimed at developing research methods or new research technologies. The expectation is not that applicants will propose a large multi-aim program, but rather a targeted project that can generate convincing preliminary data, demonstrate technical or analytical capability, or validate an approach that can later be scaled up. A typical outcome NIDDK is looking for is a stronger, better-supported subsequent application for an R01 or a similar independent research award.

This is described as a limited competition because eligibility is tied to a specific group: investigators with NIDDK-supported K01, K08, or K23 awards who are within the final two years of their K award period. The program focus aligns with NIDDK's mission areas (diabetes, digestive diseases, nutrition-related research, and kidney and urologic diseases), and it is categorized under health and food and nutrition as reflected in the funding activity category and CFDA number 93.847. While the summary materials do not list a specific award ceiling or a set number of expected awards, the overall framing makes clear that the R03 is meant to provide a modest, time-limited boost that helps promising K awardees produce the kind of results that support a credible step into independence.

A wide range of organization types can serve as eligible applicants under NIH rules for this opportunity, including state, county, and local governments; 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/Indian housing authorities; and both nonprofit and for-profit organizations (including small businesses). The opportunity also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. These categories are meant to clarify that many institutional homes are acceptable as long as they meet NIH eligibility requirements and can administer the award.

At the same time, the opportunity places clear restrictions on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In other words, the applicant organization and the work supported under this R03 must remain domestic, without foreign subcomponents under the definition used by NIH for grants administration.

Administrative details included in the listing identify the opportunity as a discretionary NIH grant program created on 2015-09-09, with an original closing date of 2016-03-23. The bottom line is that this program is intended as a strategic, late-K-award boost: a small, practical R03 project that a K01/K08/K23 recipient can complete efficiently, use to demonstrate independence and productivity, and leverage into a competitive R01 or equivalent next step.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NIDDK K01/K08/K23 Recipients (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2015-09-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-03-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 PAR 15 343

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