Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) (R38 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program (R38 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed), is an upcoming grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically spearheaded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in collaboration with other NIH institutes including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Eye Institute (NEI). This forecasted Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will be officially posted by July 11, 2025. The StARR initiative aims to provide structured research opportunities for resident clinicians early in their careers, with the overarching objective of recruiting, retaining, and advancing a cohort of clinician-investigators who are equipped to engage in basic, clinical, or translational research. The primary purpose of this grant is to support research experiences that enhance the professional development of clinicians in training. By offering early access to research, the program seeks to cultivate future leaders in medical research, ensuring they are proficient in both clinical practice and scientific investigation. The R38 mechanism being utilized explicitly does not allow for independent clinical trials, focusing instead on structured research experiences under mentorship. Eligible applicants include a wide range of institutional and organizational types. These include state and county governments, federally recognized and non-federally recognized Native American tribal organizations, public housing authorities, independent school districts, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, public and private institutions of higher education, and both small and other for-profit organizations. The breadth of eligible applicants reflects the NIH's commitment to inclusivity and wide-ranging institutional participation in biomedical research training. This funding opportunity does not require matching contributions and falls under the discretionary grant category with a funding activity focused on health, particularly cardiovascular diseases research, as noted by the assistance listing number 93.837. The total program funding, award ceiling, and floor amounts have not been specified at this stage. As it is currently a forecasted opportunity, no applications are being accepted at this time. The estimated due date for applications is October 14, 2025, with awards anticipated to be made by May 1, 2026, and project start dates projected for July 1, 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin building collaborations and developing their project concepts in anticipation of the official announcement. While detailed application questions and evaluation criteria have not yet been released, the forecast is intended to give ample preparation time. Dr. David Schopfer at the NHLBI serves as the grant contact for this opportunity and can be reached at david.schopfer@nih.gov or by phone at 301-402-3833.