Pilot Projects Investigating Understudied Proteins Associated with Rare Diseases (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Funding available for pilot projects researching rare diseases linked to understudied proteins, focusing on generating preliminary data and tools.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: November 16, 2026 (Resubmission) | February 16, 2027 (New) | March 16, 2027 (Resubmission) | June 16, 2027 (New) | July 16, 2027 (Resubmission) | October 16, 2027 (New) | November 16, 2027 (Resubmission; final closing)
Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000 in direct costs for one year (excluding subcontract F&A); non-renewable
Summary: Supports pilot research generating preliminary data or tools to clarify eligible understudied proteins’ roles in rare diseases.
Key Information: Projects must focus on proteins on the approved list; clinical trials and clinical drug development are not allowed.
Description
This NIH R03 Small Grant Program supports discrete, well-defined projects investigating understudied proteins associated with rare diseases. Led by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), with NIAID, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIMH, and NINDS participating, it funds basic biochemical and biological research that can be completed within one year using limited resources.
Projects may include pilot or feasibility studies, protein characterization, methodology and assay development, reagents, structural studies, or human-cell and animal models. The goal is to generate preliminary data and research resources for subsequent grant applications or drug discovery projects. Non-animal methodologies, including tissue chips, are encouraged. Preliminary data are not required, and early-stage investigators are encouraged to apply.
