OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPAR-25-124

NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of HealthCloses Jan 7, 2028(451 days left)Up to $200,000

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH research grant for early-career rehabilitation scientists, not a business funding program. It funds small, self-contained rehabilitation research projects designed to generate preliminary data for a larger R01 application. Small businesses and for-profits can technically apply, but only if the work is genuine rehabilitation research led by an early-career scientist; companies looking for product development or commercialization money should not bother.

Best for
Early-career rehabilitation scientists building an independent research career, Universities and research institutions running rehabilitation research labs, Small businesses or for-profits developing rehabilitation research methods or technology, Nonprofits and tribal organizations pursuing medical rehabilitation research
Not for
Established researchers who already hold independent funding or R01-level grants, Businesses outside rehabilitation research, such as retail, finance, or logistics operations, Organizations seeking general operating or commercialization funding rather than research support
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (medical, clinical)
80
Strong Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (technology, tech)
76
Strong Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
52
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, Other applicants (see eligibility)
Award range
Up to $200,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is January 7, 2028.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The largest award is $200,000, which is also the total program funding amount.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, state, local, county, and tribal governments, public housing authorities, independent school districts, and special district governments. The eligibility text also lists foreign organizations, faith-based and community-based organizations, HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, and certain Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Asian American, and tribally controlled institutions.
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 specify whether sole proprietors or single-member LLCs qualify, so check the full eligibility text before assuming.
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 applicants.

Summary

NIH/NCMRR R03 awards for early-career rehabilitation scientists establishing independent research careers. Funds basic and clinical rehabilitation research, secondary data analysis, methodology development, translational and outcomes research, and new technology development. Eligible applicants include universities, small businesses, for-profits, nonprofits, tribal entities, and state/local/tribal

About this grant

The National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R03) is intended to support both basic and clinical research from rehabilitation scientists who are establishing independent research careers. The research must be focused on one or more of the areas within the mission of NCMRR: Applicants are encouraged to refer to the NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation for strategic priorities (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/news/110121-NIH-rehab-plan). The NCMRR ECR Award R03 grant mechanism supports various types of projects including secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; translational research; outcomes research; and development of new technology. Irrespective of the type of project, the intent of the NCMRR ECR Award R03 is for the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) to obtain sufficient preliminary data for a subsequent R01 application.

Who can apply

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Research

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

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