Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NIAMS K01, K08, K23, and K25 Recipients (R03) (Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
NIAMS offers R03 small grants to K01/K08/K23/K25 awardees in years 2-4 to boost research capabilities as they transition to independent investigator status; clinical trials are not allowed.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: October 20, 2025 (estimated application due date) | July 16, 2029 (NOFO close date)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 direct costs per year for up to 2 years (maximum $100,000 direct costs total).
Summary: Provides small grant support for NIAMS K01, K08, K23, and K25 recipients and similar awardees to advance research careers in arthritis, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; limited to certain career development awardees.
Description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the NIH, offers a Small Grant (R03) program intended for recipients of specific mentored research career development awards (K01, K08, K23, K25), as well as those with comparable awards from other organizations in NIAMS mission areas. The R03 mechanism provides short-term, limited funding to enhance the ability of early-career investigators to undertake research projects as they transition toward independent research careers. Supported activities include pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses, small self-contained projects, methodology development, and new research technology development. The program is designed to support research that may lead to subsequent R01 (or equivalent) applications. Clinical trials are not permitted under this announcement.
