NIH Research Software Engineer (RSE) Award (R50 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
This grant provides salary support for Research Software Engineers who develop and disseminate biomedical, behavioral, or health-related software/tools and train users.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 4, 2025 (Application) | May 5, 2025 (Letter of Intent) | December 4, 2025 (Application) | November 4, 2025 (Letter of Intent) | June 4, 2026 (Application) | May 5, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | December 4, 2026 (Application) | November 4, 2026 (Letter of Intent)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 direct costs over 3 years; max $200,000/year; salary support only, plus up to $2,500/year for travel.
Summary: Provides salary support for exceptional Research Software Engineers (RSEs) developing and disseminating biomedical, behavioral, or health-related software/tools and training users.
Key Information: RSE must be the PI; award is for non-tenure track RSEs supporting NIH-funded projects; no research expenses allowed.
Description
This opportunity supports exceptional Research Software Engineers (RSEs) who contribute to the development, dissemination, and user training of biomedical, behavioral, or health-related software, tools, and algorithms. The award is designed to provide salary support and protected time for RSEs who are not on a traditional independent investigator track but play a critical role in NIH-funded research projects. The goal is to foster a sustainable ecosystem of high-quality research software and to enhance the professional standing and retention of RSEs in academic and research settings.
The award uses the NIH Research Specialist Award (R50) mechanism and is intended for RSEs with significant experience and a demonstrated record of productivity in NIH-funded research. The funding is strictly for salary and limited travel; no research or project expenses are allowed.
