NIDCR Small Research Grants for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Health-related Data Analyses and Statistical or Computational Methodology Development (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), plans to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "NIDCR Small Research Grants for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Health-related Data Analyses and Statistical or Computational Methodology Development." This grant opportunity is classified under the R03 activity code and is specifically forecasted, meaning applications are not yet being accepted but are expected to open soon. The grant aims to support meritorious research projects that either analyze existing datasets related to dental, oral, craniofacial, and related health domains or develop new statistical or computational methodologies to address analytical gaps in these fields. The core objective of this NOFO is to enable investigators to leverage previously collected data by conducting secondary analyses that can lead to novel insights or validate prior findings. Equally important is the development of innovative methods to improve the analytic capacity of the field, which may include designing computational frameworks or statistical models suited for complex biomedical datasets. By focusing on data reuse and methodological advancements, this grant encourages cost-effective research while promoting scientific innovation in dental and craniofacial health. The funding opportunity is designed as a discretionary grant and will be administered under the R03 mechanism, which typically supports small research projects. While the exact funding amounts, including award ceiling, award floor, and total program funding, are not specified in this forecast, the anticipated award and project start dates are June 1, 2026. This implies that applications will be evaluated in advance of this date, likely based on merit, methodological rigor, and alignment with NIDCR’s strategic goals. The anticipated application due date is October 16, 2025, and the estimated open date for applications is June 16, 2025. A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply for this grant. These include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, state and county governments, independent school districts, small businesses, and both federally recognized and other Native American tribal organizations. For-profit organizations other than small businesses, public housing authorities, and Native American tribal governments are also eligible. This extensive eligibility criterion broadens access to various institutional types and promotes multidisciplinary collaboration. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements for this funding opportunity, which may lower the financial barrier for many applicants. The agency encourages interested investigators to begin developing collaborations and conceptualizing their projects in anticipation of the formal NOFO release. Applications involving clinical trials are not allowed under this funding mechanism. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Lorena Baccaglini, DDS, MS, PhD, at the NIDCR for further guidance. She can be reached at 301-435-7908 or via email at lorena.baccaglini@nih.gov. In summary, this forecasted opportunity provides an early window for potential applicants to plan strategically for a competitive small grant focused on secondary data analysis and methodological innovation in the field of dental, oral, and craniofacial health. With applications opening mid-2025 and awards to be made by mid-2026, institutions across various sectors should take note of the timelines and prepare accordingly.