ForecastedFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-26-123

Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for the NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program (Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Oct 17, 2026(4 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH small grant for people who just finished a NCATS CTSA KL2/K12 career development appointment, meant to fund short clinical and translational research projects that produce preliminary data for a bigger grant application. If you were never a KL2/K12 scholar, or you finished more than two years ago, you cannot apply no matter what your business does. The industry scores are beside the point: eligibility is locked to that specific training history.

Best for
Former NCATS CTSA KL2/K12 scholars within two years of completing training, Academic clinical and translational scientists building preliminary data, Researchers running short pilot studies, secondary data analyses, or methodology and technology development
Not for
Businesses and researchers with no NCATS CTSA KL2/K12 training history, Scholars more than two years past completing their KL2/K12 appointment, Retail, construction, or social service organizations looking for general operating or project funding
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (health, clinical)
75
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (technology, tech)
65
Good Match
Transportation & LogisticsMatches your industry (transit)
56
Good Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Closes in 29 days
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Closes in 29 days
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Closes in 29 days
52
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Closes in 29 days
49
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Closes in 29 days
49
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Closes in 29 days
49
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Closes in 29 days
48
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Closes in 29 days
48
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Closes in 29 days
48
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Closes in 29 days
47
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Closes in 29 days
46
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Closes in 29 days
43
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Individuals, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
October 17, 2026. The notice was posted February 17, 2026.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only scholars who received direct NCATS funding through a CTSA Program KL2/K12 Institutional Career Development Core/Program and completed that training, with the submission deadline falling within two years of completing their NIH appointment. Resubmissions get a 12-month extension past the first submission. Eligible organizations include small businesses, nonprofits, higher education institutions, state, local, and tribal governments, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Small businesses are listed as eligible, but the notice does not break down business structures such as sole proprietorships or single-member LLCs.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education are both listed as eligible. But the individual researcher must still be a former CTSA KL2/K12 scholar within the two-year window.

Summary

NIH NCATS small grants for former KL2/K12 CTSA scholars within two years of completing their training, to fund short-term clinical and translational research projects such as pilot studies, secondary data analysis, and research methodology or technology development that generate preliminary data for future grant applications.

About this grant

The purpose of this NOFO is to enhance the capability of NCATS CTSA Program KL2 scholars supported by the CTSA Program to conduct research as they complete the transition to fully independent academic translational scientists. These small research grants will support different clinical and translational science research projects, including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary data analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology. Research proposed in the application may or may not include patient-oriented research. This small research grant is, therefore, intended to support research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources and that provide preliminary data to support submission of a subsequent research project grant, or equivalent, application. Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200. This is a Forecast for a Limited Competition that will invite application(s) from eligible organization(s) to apply. Please see Eligibility Section for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the application(s) will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious application(s) will be considered for funding.

Who can apply

Eligibility is limited to NCATS CTSA Program supported scholars who received direct NCATS funding from the NCATS CTSA Program Institutional Career Development Core/Program (KL2/K12) and completed the KL2/K12 training program. The date of submission deadline must be within two years of completion of their NIH appointment. Eligibility for resubmissions will be extended for 12 months past the first submission.Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Research

Program contact

NCATS CTSA Program BranchCTSA_R03_NOFO_Questions@nih.govPlease contact via e-mail

Related grants

Open opportunities funding similar work, from the same funder or in the same place.

All grantsGrants by stateGrants by industry