Limited Competition: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), has announced a forecasted Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Limited Competition: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS)." This opportunity is part of NHLBI’s broader efforts to cultivate the next generation of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical researchers in the United States. The grant aims to support individuals transitioning from mentored research programs to independent investigative careers, particularly those who have completed the R38 program, a residency-based research initiative. The StARRTS program is designed to provide career development opportunities to ensure that a highly trained scientific workforce is available to address pressing national health challenges related to heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. The StARRTS program focuses on facilitating the career progression of early-stage physician-scientists who have engaged in research during their residency training. As a limited competition funding mechanism, eligibility is restricted to individuals who have completed an R38 research experience. The program will serve as a bridge toward research independence, offering structured support and mentorship. This opportunity is unique in that it is only available to a defined group of previous NIH-supported trainees, allowing for tailored evaluation criteria that emphasize a clear transition plan toward independent research funding. This initiative falls under several assistance listings: 93.233 (National Center on Sleep Disorders Research), 93.837 (Cardiovascular Diseases Research), 93.838 (Lung Diseases Research), 93.839 (Blood Diseases and Resources Research), and 93.840 (Translation and Implementation Science Research for Heart, Lung, Blood Diseases, and Sleep Disorders). The specific spending parameters, such as award ceilings and total program funding, have not yet been disclosed, as this is a forecasted opportunity. Applicants will be expected to propose robust research development plans, including mentorship strategies, research aims aligned with NIH's strategic interests, and institutional support. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as state and local governments, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, higher education institutions, tribal governments, public housing authorities, and school districts. Importantly, all applicants must ensure that the candidates proposed for funding meet the core eligibility criterion: successful completion of an R38 program. This requirement underscores the NIH’s intent to support career continuity for physician-scientists already embedded in NIH’s research training ecosystem. Applications are not yet being solicited; the opportunity is in the forecast stage as of July 1, 2025. The estimated opening date for application submissions is August 1, 2025, with a submission deadline of October 14, 2025. Awards are anticipated to be issued by May 1, 2026, with projects commencing on July 1, 2026. The forecast provides advance notice so that potential applicants may begin developing collaborations and proposals aligned with the program’s intent. Interested applicants should monitor the opportunity for updates as the estimated post date approaches. For further information, the designated contact is Dr. David Schopfer at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. He can be reached via phone at 301-402-3833 or by email at david.schopfer@nih.gov. This NOFO is forecasted to be recurring annually, providing future engagement opportunities for eligible candidates. Individuals and institutions planning to apply should take advantage of this lead time to prepare competitive and strategically aligned applications.