The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has announced a funding opportunity to support the archiving and documentation of existing datasets within its scientific mission. The purpose of this initiative is to enable secondary analysis by making these datasets accessible to the broader scientific community. Priority will be given to archiving original data collected with NICHD funding, particularly those that can significantly advance research in human development, reproductive health, and other NICHD focus areas.
Projects eligible for this funding should focus on data management activities such as assembling, cleaning, harmonizing, documenting, and disseminating data. Proposed activities may include archiving clinical trial data, harmonizing population health and demographic data, or enhancing existing datasets to increase their usability. All projects must protect participant confidentiality and comply with data-sharing regulations, including making datasets publicly accessible through repositories like NICHD's Data and Specimen Hub (DASH) or Data Sharing for Demographic Research (DSDR).
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, non-profits, government entities, and small businesses, but foreign organizations are not eligible. No cost-sharing is required. Applicants must register with multiple federal systems, including SAM.gov and eRA Commons, and demonstrate compliance with NIH policies on data management and sharing. A detailed Data Management and Sharing Plan is mandatory as part of the application.
Funding is provided through R03 Small Grant Program awards, with a maximum budget of $50,000 in direct costs per year and a project period of up to two years. Applications will be reviewed for their scientific merit, feasibility, and the investigator's qualifications. Reviewers will assess how well the proposed activities enhance the data's value for secondary use, including the adequacy of documentation and data protections.
Applications are due on NIH’s standard submission dates, beginning February 16, 2025. The final application deadline for this opportunity is November 17, 2025. Award decisions will consider scientific merit, program priorities, and fund availability. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals well before the due dates to allow for corrections or clarifications.
For further guidance, applicants can contact program officers or consult NICHD's data-sharing resources. Details on preparing applications, including specific submission instructions, are provided in the full funding announcement.
