Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 25 011
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is offering a limited-competition small grant opportunity through an NIH R03 mechanism titled "Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HL-25-011). The main goal is to give current or recently completed NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 career development awardees a small, targeted pool of funds to either expand the aims of their K-supported work or launch a closely related new line of study that grew directly out of what they accomplished during the K award. In practical terms, it is designed to help K awardees keep their research momentum going while they finish the shift from mentored career development into fully independent investigator status.
This program uses the R03 small grant format, which is meant for projects that can be completed quickly and with relatively limited resources. The NOFO emphasizes work that can be finished in no more than two years and that is likely to generate preliminary data or other compelling evidence needed for a future R01-equivalent application. The kinds of projects envisioned are the classic "high value per dollar" studies: pilot or feasibility projects, proof-of-concept studies, secondary analyses of existing datasets, small and self-contained research projects, development of new research methodologies or technologies, or creation of novel experimental models. The "clinical trial optional" label means a clinical trial may be proposed if it fits, but it is not required.
Eligibility is restricted to a specific applicant pool. Active NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 awardees may apply once the Notice of Award has been issued for their first Type 5 K award. Recent K awardees can also apply, as long as the earliest possible start date for the R03 would fall within two years of the end of the prior NHLBI K project period. For K23 recipients specifically, the NOFO clarifies that the R03 research may include patient-oriented research, but it does not have to; applicants can propose either patient-oriented or non-patient-oriented work as appropriate for the next step in their trajectory.
A key expectation is that investigators maintain substantial protected time for research during the R03 period. The NOFO requires a minimum of 40 percent protected overall research effort while the R03 is active. Importantly, that 40 percent does not have to come entirely from the R03 itself; it can be met by combining effort across the proposed R03 and other research projects, no matter what the funding source is. The point is to ensure the investigator is genuinely prioritizing research time as they move toward independence, rather than treating the R03 as a side project.
On the organizational side, the opportunity is broad in terms of the types of U.S.-based applicant institutions that can submit, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profits (other than small businesses), small businesses, and many government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts, independent school districts, and certain tribal governments and organizations). The NOFO also highlights several institution types as eligible, such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, among others, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. At the same time, the NOFO is explicit that foreign organizations cannot apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations cannot apply, and foreign components are not allowed under NIH policy definitions for this opportunity.
From a funding and timing standpoint, the Award Ceiling is listed as $75,000, and the original closing date is January 7, 2026. The opportunity sits within NIH’s health research funding categories and references multiple CFDA numbers (93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840), reflecting NHLBI’s broader authority and program areas. Overall, the grant is best understood as a bridge-and-launch tool: it gives NHLBI K award alumni a short, focused window to produce a publishable, persuasive next step that strengthens their competitiveness for a larger independent grant (typically an R01 or equivalent) while preserving meaningful research effort during the transition to independence.Apply for RFA HL 25 011
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 Recipients (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): 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-07. (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 $75,000.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a limited-competition NIH R03 small grant funding opportunity from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) titled "Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)." The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-HL-25-011.
What is the main purpose of this R03 program?
The purpose is to provide a small, targeted pool of funds to current or recently completed NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 awardees so they can either expand the aims of their K-supported research or launch a closely related new line of study that grew directly from the K award. The intent is to help investigators maintain research momentum while transitioning from mentored career development to independent investigator status.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 recipients who are either active awardees or recent awardees, as described in the NOFO. This is a limited competition focused on this specific K-award pool.
When can an active NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 awardee apply?
Active NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 awardees may apply once the Notice of Award has been issued for their first Type 5 K award.
Can recent (completed) NHLBI K awardees apply?
Yes. Recent K awardees may apply as long as the earliest possible start date for the R03 would fall within two years of the end of the prior NHLBI K project period.
Is this opportunity open to applicants who are not NHLBI K awardees?
No. The NOFO describes this as a limited-competition opportunity restricted to current or recently completed NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 recipients.
What does "R03" mean in practical terms for project scope?
The R03 is a small grant format intended for projects that can be completed quickly and with relatively limited resources. This NOFO emphasizes work that can be finished in no more than two years and that can generate preliminary data or other compelling evidence needed for a future R01-equivalent application.
How long can the project last?
The NOFO emphasizes that the work should be completable in no more than two years.
What kinds of projects are encouraged under this R03?
The NOFO describes projects that are "high value per dollar" and suitable for the R03 mechanism, including: pilot or feasibility projects, proof-of-concept studies, secondary analyses of existing datasets, small and self-contained research projects, development of new research methodologies or technologies, and creation of novel experimental models.
Does the proposed research need to be directly tied to the prior K award?
Yes, the program is designed for either expanding the aims of K-supported work or launching a closely related line of study that grew directly out of accomplishments during the K award.
Is a clinical trial required?
No. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning a clinical trial may be proposed if it fits the project, but a clinical trial is not required.
Can an applicant propose a clinical trial under this NOFO?
Yes. Since it is "Clinical Trial Optional," a clinical trial may be included if appropriate for the research plan.
Are there special notes for NHLBI K23 recipients?
Yes. For K23 recipients, the NOFO clarifies that the R03 research may include patient-oriented research, but it does not have to. Applicants may propose patient-oriented or non-patient-oriented work, depending on what best supports the next step in their trajectory.
What are the protected time (effort) expectations during the R03?
The NOFO requires investigators to maintain a minimum of 40 percent protected overall research effort while the R03 is active.
Does the required 40 percent protected research effort have to be paid by the R03?
No. The NOFO states that the 40 percent does not need to come entirely from the R03. The requirement can be met by combining effort across the proposed R03 and other research projects, regardless of the funding source.
Why does the NOFO emphasize protected research time?
The stated purpose is to ensure the investigator is genuinely prioritizing research time while moving toward independence, rather than treating the R03 as a side project during the transition from mentored to independent status.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
The NOFO is broad for U.S.-based applicant institutions and includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and many government entities (including state, county, city/township, special districts, independent school districts, and certain tribal governments and organizations). It also highlights eligibility for various institution types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, among others, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. The NOFO is explicit that foreign organizations cannot apply.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. The NOFO states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations cannot apply.
Are foreign components allowed for this opportunity?
No. The NOFO indicates that foreign components are not allowed under NIH policy definitions for this opportunity.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The Award Ceiling is listed as $75,000.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date is January 7, 2026.
Which NIH institute is offering this funding opportunity?
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is offering this opportunity.
What is the funding opportunity number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-HL-25-011.
What is the intended outcome of the work funded by this R03?
The NOFO emphasizes generating preliminary data or other compelling evidence that strengthens competitiveness for a future R01-equivalent application. Overall, it is positioned as a bridge-and-launch tool to produce a persuasive next step toward independent funding while maintaining meaningful research effort.
What does it mean that this is a "limited competition" opportunity?
Based on the NOFO description provided, "limited competition" means only a defined group of applicants may apply: current or recently completed NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 recipients who meet the timing and award-status conditions described.
Which CFDA numbers are referenced for this opportunity?
The NOFO references multiple CFDA numbers: 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, and 93.840.
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