Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NIDDK K01/K08/K23/K25 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

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Description

This limited competition program from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) offers Small Grant (R03) support to current recipients of NIDDK K01, K08, K23, or K25 mentored career development awards. The goal is to enhance the research capabilities of these early-career investigators as they approach the end of their K award period, supporting their transition to full research independence.

The R03 mechanism is intended for small, self-contained research projects that can be completed in a short timeframe with limited resources. Projects may include pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses of existing data, development of research methodologies, or new research technologies. The program is designed to help K awardees generate preliminary data and publications to support future R01 (or equivalent) applications.

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Due Dates

• Standard NIH due dates apply.
• Upcoming deadlines include:
  • June 16, 2025 (New applications)
  • July 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
  • September 7, 2025 (AIDS-related applications)
  • October 16, 2025 (New)
  • November 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
  • January 7, 2026 (AIDS)
  • Additional cycles continue through January 7, 2028.
• All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

See full schedule and details

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Funding Amount

• Direct costs: Up to $75,000 per year
• Project period: Maximum of 2 years (total direct costs up to $150,000)
• Budget must reflect actual needs of the proposed project
• No cost sharing required
• Number of awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and meritorious applications

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Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

• Only current recipients of NIDDK-supported K01, K08, K23, or K25 awards are eligible.
• Applicants must be in the latter years of their K award at the intended R03 start date (the K award must be active at the time of R03 start, including any no-cost extensions).
• Applicants who have already received an R01 or equivalent grant are not eligible.
• Only one R03 award per individual under this program.
• U.S. institutions and organizations, including:
  • Public and private higher education institutions
  • Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
  • For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
  • State, local, and tribal governments
  • Independent school districts, public housing authorities, and others
• Foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components as defined by NIH policy are allowed.

Full eligibility details

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Application Process

• Submission: Electronic submission via NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or institutional system-to-system solutions.
• Required registrations: SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov (may take 6+ weeks).
• Application forms: Use SF424 (R&R) forms, following NIH Research (R) instructions.
• Attachments required:
  • "K Award Information.pdf": Brief summary of the applicant’s NIDDK K award, its aims, and relationship to the proposed R03 project (max 2 pages).
  • "Mentor's Letter.pdf": Letter from the K award mentor(s) addressing the applicant’s potential for research independence and transition plan.
• Other requirements: Data Management and Sharing Plan, Resource Sharing Plan, and standard NIH application components.
• Clinical trial option: Applications may propose or not propose clinical trials.

Full application instructions

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Additional Information

• Scope: Projects must align with the NIDDK research mission. Applications outside this scope will be considered non-responsive and not reviewed.
• Concurrent support: K awardees may receive concurrent salary support from a K award and a research grant under certain circumstances, but cannot receive an R03 under this program if they have already received an R01 or equivalent.
• Review criteria: Scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, investigator potential for independence, and alignment with NIDDK priorities.
• Data sharing: All applications must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan per NIH policy.
• Award administration: NIH policies and terms apply; see NIH Grants Policy Statement.

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External Links

• NIDDK Small Grant Program (R03) – Full Announcement
• NIH Application Guide (Forms-H)
• NIDDK Research Areas
• NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
• NIDDK Central Repository
• NIH Standard Due Dates

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Contact Information

Full contact list and updates

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