NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR), part of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), offers the Early Career Research (ECR) Award under the R03 mechanism. This program supports rehabilitation scientists in the early stages of their independent research careers. The aim is to provide preliminary data necessary for subsequent R01 applications, with projects focused on areas within the biomedical and behavioral mission of NCMRR. These include rehabilitation for chronic injuries, recovery of motor function, assistive technology development, and more. The program supports hypothesis-driven, discovery-based, or milestone-driven research but does not require preliminary data. Eligibility is limited to early career investigators within eight years of receiving their most recent advanced or terminal degree, excluding clinical training years. Eligible applicants must not have served as a PI on a significant research grant exceeding $100,000 in direct annual costs or on a major sub-project of a larger grant. Applicants who have received training or career development awards (e.g., F- or K-series) are eligible. Investigators must submit a one-page “Plan for Inclusion of People with Lived Experience,” detailing how the expertise of individuals with disabilities will inform the project. Applicants are encouraged to engage people with lived experience in meaningful, compensated roles. The combined budget for direct costs cannot exceed $200,000 over the two-year project period, with no more than $100,000 requested in any single year. Investigators are expected to dedicate a minimum of three person-months (25% effort) annually to the project. This effort may be adjusted for investigators with concurrent funding, such as K-awards, following NIH guidelines. Applications must follow the NIH standard submission guidelines and include specific sections addressing the project's significance, innovation, and approach. Research involving clinical data is encouraged to align with established Common Data Elements (CDEs), and data sharing is expected via the NICHD DASH system. Non-responsive applications include those focused solely on cognitive rehabilitation, sports medicine for non-disabled populations, or animal model development for specific conditions. Reviewers will evaluate applications based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and investigator expertise. The plan for incorporating the perspectives of people with lived experience will be a critical evaluation factor. Only projects deemed likely to generate strong preliminary data for subsequent R01 applications will be considered competitive. Funding decisions will also depend on programmatic priorities and the availability of funds. Standard NIH submission deadlines apply, with cycles in February, June, and October. Applicants are encouraged to consult with program staff during the application process to ensure alignment with NCMRR goals and NIH policies. Recipients are required to report progress annually and to share data per NIH’s data management and sharing policies.