[National Institutes of Health](https://www.nih.gov)

Up to $200,000 total direct costs over 2 years; max $100,000 direct costs per year.

Supports early career rehabilitation scientists in basic or clinical research to generate preliminary data for future R01 applications.

A 1-page “Plan for Inclusion of People with Lived Experience” is required or the application will be withdrawn.

--- ## Description This opportunity provides small grant support for early career investigators in the field of medical rehabilitation research. The aim is to enable both basic and clinical research projects that align with the mission of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR), part of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Projects should generate preliminary data to support a future R01 application. The mechanism is an NIH R03, with clinical trial optional. Research topics should address areas such as: - Pathophysiology and management of chronically injured nervous and musculoskeletal systems (e.g., stroke, TBI, SCI, orthopedic conditions) - Repair and recovery of motor function - Functional plasticity and adaptation - Rehabilitative strategies (pharmaceutical, neuroengineering, exercise, behavioral modifications) - Pediatric rehabilitation - Secondary conditions associated with chronic disabilities - Improved diagnosis, assessment, and outcome measures - Development of orthotics, prosthetics, and assistive technologies Applicants must include a 1-page “Plan for Inclusion of People with Lived Experience (PWLE)” as part of the application. This plan will be evaluated in peer review and considered in funding decisions. --- ## Due Dates - February 16, 2025 - June 16, 2025 - October 16, 2025 - February 16, 2026 - June 16, 2026 - October 16, 2026 - February 16, 2027 - June 16, 2027 - October 16, 2027 All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Applications follow the NIH standard R03 due dates. The program expires January 8, 2028. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum direct costs: $200,000 for the entire project period (up to 2 years) - No more than $100,000 direct costs may be requested in any single year - Project period: up to 2 years The number of awards is contingent upon NIH appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. --- ## Eligibility ### Eligible Organizations - Public/State-controlled and private institutions of higher education - Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institutions of higher education) - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - State, county, city, township, and special district governments - Independent school districts - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other) - Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized) - Faith-based or community-based organizations - Regional organizations - U.S. territories or possessions - Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and foreign components of U.S. organizations ### Eligible Individuals (PD/PI) - Must be an independent investigator (not a postdoctoral fellow) at the time of submission - Must be no more than 8 years beyond the date of their first professional, advanced professional, or terminal academic degree (excluding formal clinical training years) - Not eligible if previously served as PD/PI on a peer-reviewed NIH research award (R series) over $100,000 direct costs per year, or non-NIH research grants over $150,000 total costs per year, or as Project Leader on NIH P01/P50 sub-projects, or as a K99/R00 recipient - For multi-PI applications, all PDs/PIs must meet these criteria --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically via [NIH ASSIST](https://public.era.nih.gov/assist/), [Grants.gov Workspace](https://www.grants.gov/), or an institutional system-to-system solution. - Applicant organizations must complete registrations with [SAM.gov](https://sam.gov), [eRA Commons](https://public.era.nih.gov/commons/), and [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). - All PDs/PIs must have an eRA Commons ID. - Applications must include a 1-page “Plan for Inclusion of People with Lived Experience.” - Follow instructions in the [NIH Research (R) Application Guide](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html) and any program-specific instructions in the funding announcement. - Data Management and Sharing Plan is required. - Applications are peer reviewed by NICHD and undergo advisory council review. --- ## Additional Information - Clinical trials are optional but, if proposed, must be early-stage (Phase I, first-in-human, safety, feasibility, or small clinical trials for technology development). - Applications proposing Phase II/III/IV or pivotal clinical trials, or those focusing on cognitive rehabilitation without a physical component, or sports medicine for able-bodied individuals, are non-responsive and will be withdrawn. - Applications must use or justify not using NIH Common Data Elements (CDEs) for rehabilitation. - Only limited appendix materials are allowed. - No cost sharing is required. - Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact program staff before applying. --- ## External Links - [NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (PAR-25-124)](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-124.html) - [NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation](https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/news/110121-NIH-rehab-plan) - [NIH Standard Due Dates](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm) - [NIH Application Guide](https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html) - [NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy](https://sharing.nih.gov/) - [Common Data Elements (CDEs)](https://cde.nlm.nih.gov/home) - [NICHD DASH (Data and Specimen Hub)](https://dash.nichd.nih.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Name/Title | Email | Phone | |-----------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Scientific/Research Contact | Maria Nurminskaya, PhD | [Maria.nurminskaya@nih.gov](mailto:Maria.nurminskaya@nih.gov) | 240-591-9986 | | Peer Review Contact | Joanna Kubler-Kielb, PhD | [kielbj@mail.nih.gov](mailto:kielbj@mail.nih.gov) | 301-435-6916 | | Financial/Grants Management | Ms. Olamide Adeniyi | [adeniyi.olamide@nih.gov](mailto:adeniyi.olamide@nih.gov) | 301-402-6437 | | General Grants Info | NIH Grants Info | [GrantsInfo@nih.gov](mailto:GrantsInfo@nih.gov) | 301-480-7075 | | eRA Service Desk | | [Online Help](https://www.era.nih.gov/need-help) | 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 | | Grants.gov Support | | [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov) | 800-518-4726 | ---

NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

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