Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 249
The funding opportunity titled "NIAID, NIDDK, NIDA, and NIAAA Research Opportunities for New and 'At-Risk' Investigators (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-25-249) is a discretionary NIH grant mechanism using the R01 research project grant format, with clinical trials allowed but not required. It is described as an SRF reissue and is designed to strengthen and sustain the biomedical research workforce by helping investigators who are either early in their independent careers or at a vulnerable transition point where their research programs could lose momentum due to a gap in major NIH funding. The opportunity specifically emphasizes projects that fit within the scientific missions of NIAID or NIDDK, even though the title references additional NIH institutes (NIDA and NIAAA). In practical terms, applicants should make sure their proposed aims clearly align with NIAID- or NIDDK-relevant priorities, since mission fit is central to responsiveness.
The core intent is to encourage strong, competitive R01 applications from two investigator groups. First, "New Investigators" are researchers who have not previously won substantial, independent NIH funding. Second, "At-Risk" investigators are those who previously served as a PD/PI on a substantial independent research award but are in danger of losing all substantial research grant support in the next fiscal year unless they secure a new substantial award in the current fiscal year. The NOFO explicitly highlights inclusion of investigators from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from groups underrepresented in the health-related sciences, reflecting NIH-wide priorities around broadening participation and promoting a more representative scientific workforce.
Eligibility is broad across many types of U.S.-based organizations, which makes this opportunity accessible beyond the traditional research university setting. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions in those categories as specified); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also calls out additional eligible organization types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. A key restriction is that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply under this announcement, so the applicant organization must be U.S.-based even if aspects of the research involve international components permitted under NIH rules.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is run by the National Institutes of Health and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.273, 93.279, 93.847, and 93.855, which correspond to different NIH program areas tied to the participating institutes. The listed original closing date is 2025-09-07. The posting does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the excerpted data, so budgets and award volumes should be confirmed in the full NOFO and related NIH budget guidance for R01 applications (including any institute-specific paylines, caps, or preferences that may apply in a given fiscal year).
Overall, this NOFO is best understood as a targeted pathway into (or back into) stable NIH R01 support for investigators who are new to major independent funding or who are at risk of losing it, with an emphasis on building a resilient and diverse research community. Applicants are expected to propose a well-justified, mission-aligned research project of the scope and rigor appropriate for an R01, with the option to include a clinical trial when scientifically appropriate, and to apply through an eligible U.S. organization type that meets NIH requirements.Apply for PA 25 249
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIAID, NIDDK, NIDA, and NIAAA Research Opportunities for New and "At-Risk" Investigators (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273, 93.279, 93.847, 93.855.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the official title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "NIAID, NIDDK, NIDA, and NIAAA Research Opportunities for New and 'At-Risk' Investigators (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is PA-25-249.
What type of NIH funding mechanism is this?
This is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity that uses the R01 Research Project Grant mechanism (R01).
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are allowed but not required. The opportunity is described as "Clinical Trial Optional."
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The core intent is to strengthen and sustain the biomedical research workforce by encouraging strong, competitive R01 applications from investigators who are either early in their independent careers or at a vulnerable transition point where their research programs could lose momentum due to a gap in major NIH funding.
Who is this opportunity designed to support?
It is designed for two groups: (1) New Investigators and (2) "At-Risk" investigators, as defined in the announcement summary provided.
Who qualifies as a "New Investigator" under this opportunity?
A New Investigator is a researcher who has not previously won substantial, independent NIH funding.
Who qualifies as an "At-Risk" investigator under this opportunity?
An "At-Risk" investigator is someone who previously served as a PD/PI on a substantial independent research award but is in danger of losing all substantial research grant support in the next fiscal year unless they secure a new substantial award in the current fiscal year.
Which NIH institutes are emphasized for mission alignment?
Although the title references NIAID, NIDDK, NIDA, and NIAAA, the opportunity specifically emphasizes projects that fit within the scientific missions of NIAID or NIDDK. Applicants are expected to ensure their proposed aims clearly align with NIAID- or NIDDK-relevant priorities, because mission fit is central to responsiveness.
Does the opportunity encourage applications from diverse backgrounds?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly highlights inclusion of investigators from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from groups underrepresented in the health-related sciences, consistent with NIH-wide priorities to broaden participation and promote a more representative scientific workforce.
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types. Eligible applicants include various government entities, educational institutions, tribal entities, housing authorities, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), and small businesses, along with several other specifically named organization categories.
Are U.S. government entities eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments, as well as independent school districts. The listing also includes eligible federal agencies and regional organizations.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Are minority-serving institutions and similar institution types explicitly included?
Yes. The NOFO calls out additional eligible organization types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized.
Can nonprofits apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)) excluding higher education institutions in those categories as specified in the opportunity summary.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The NOFO indicates that faith-based or community-based organizations are included among eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are identified as eligible.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations allowed to apply?
No. A key restriction is that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply under this announcement. The applicant organization must be U.S.-based.
Which agency runs this opportunity?
The opportunity is run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.273, 93.279, 93.847, and 93.855.
What is the listed original closing date?
The listed original closing date is 2025-09-07.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The excerpted information does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards. Budgets and award volumes should be confirmed in the full NOFO and related NIH R01 budget guidance, including any institute-specific paylines, caps, or preferences that may apply in a given fiscal year.
What is meant by this being an "SRF reissue"?
The opportunity is described as an SRF reissue. No further details are provided in the excerpted information beyond that label.
What should applicants prioritize to be considered responsive?
Applicants should prioritize a clear fit with the scientific missions and priorities emphasized in the opportunity summary, particularly alignment with NIAID or NIDDK. The summary notes that mission fit is central to responsiveness, so proposed aims should be written to clearly connect to NIAID- or NIDDK-relevant priorities.
What level of project scope is expected?
Applicants are expected to propose a well-justified research project with the scope and rigor appropriate for an R01, with the option to include a clinical trial when scientifically appropriate.
In simple terms, what is this NOFO best understood as?
It is best understood as a targeted pathway into (or back into) stable NIH R01 support for investigators who are new to major independent funding or who are at risk of losing it, with an emphasis on building a resilient and diverse research community.
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