The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), is planning to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled “Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NIAMS K01, K08, K23, and K25 Recipients (R03) (Clinical Trials Not Allowed)”. This funding opportunity, forecasted under number FOR-AR-26-002, is designed to support specific recipients of NIAMS career development awards. These include individuals currently supported by K01, K08, K23, and K25 grants. The small grant program aims to enhance these early-stage investigators’ ability to transition to independent research careers.
This program utilizes the NIH’s R03 grant mechanism, which is intended to fund small-scale, discrete projects that can be completed in a short period with limited resources. Supported activities under the R03 include pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analysis of existing data, development of research methodologies, or new technologies. The program is explicitly structured to supplement ongoing career development efforts and to prepare grantees to submit competitive applications for larger research grants such as the R01. Importantly, the funding opportunity does not allow for any clinical trials, regardless of phase.
The opportunity is a limited competition and is only open to investigators who are in the second to fourth year of a qualifying K award. It is also extended to recipients of similar career development awards funded by institutions that support research in areas aligned with the NIAMS mission. The program provides an additional layer of support during a critical juncture in the investigator's professional development.
Although applications are not yet being accepted, the estimated post date for this NOFO is August 20, 2025, with the anticipated application due date set for October 20, 2025. Award announcements and project start dates are both expected on July 1, 2026. These estimated dates are designed to provide applicants ample time to build collaborations and develop proposals.
Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations such as public and private institutions of higher education, state and county governments, federally and non-federally recognized Native American tribal entities, public housing authorities, independent school districts, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, as well as small and large for-profit organizations.
For additional information regarding this opportunity, potential applicants are encouraged to contact Su-Yau Mao, Ph.D., via phone at 301-451-1945 or email at su-yau.mao@nih.gov. This forecasted opportunity offers valuable support to early-career researchers committed to advancing work in arthritis, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases.
