NIDCR Small Research Grants for Oral Health Data Analysis and Statistical Methodology Development (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is offering a funding opportunity titled “NIDCR Small Research Grants for Oral Health Data Analysis and Statistical Methodology Development (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)”. This opportunity supports projects conducting secondary analyses of existing oral health-related data or developing novel statistical methodologies to enhance the analysis of such data. This NOFO is a reissue of PAR-22-160, updated on March 31, 2025, to align with evolving agency priorities. It excludes clinical trials and focuses solely on data-driven research efforts. The purpose of this grant is twofold: to encourage researchers to explore existing databases in oral, dental, or craniofacial research for secondary data analysis, and to promote the development of advanced statistical methods applicable to such data. Studies may use a variety of data sources, including electronic health records, registries, wearable devices, imaging data, and more. A special emphasis is placed on projects aiming to establish causal relationships, rather than merely identifying correlations. Proposals that simply replicate previously established associations or analyze genomics data are considered lower priority or ineligible. Eligible applicants include a broad array of institutions, such as public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, small and large businesses, state and local governments, tribal organizations, housing authorities, and foreign organizations. Notably, foreign components and non-U.S. entities may also apply, provided they meet NIH registration requirements. Multiple applications are allowed per organization, provided they are scientifically distinct and non-overlapping. Applications must conform to NIH guidelines detailed in the Application Guide and must be submitted electronically via one of several approved platforms: NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system. Critical application components include a strong justification of data source appropriateness, dataset quality, and proposed methodology. The project period may not exceed two years, and the budget is capped at $100,000 per year, with a total of $200,000 over the two-year period. NIH anticipates making multiple awards, depending on funding availability and application merit. Applications will be evaluated on the significance and innovation of the proposed research, the rigor and feasibility of the approach, and the qualifications and environment of the investigator(s). Reviews will follow NIH's two-tier peer review system, and funding decisions will consider peer review scores, program priorities, and budget constraints. The earliest possible start date for successful applicants is December 2025. Important deadlines include a rolling set of due dates, with upcoming cycles on February 16, 2025, and June 16, 2025. The NOFO is set to expire on September 8, 2025. Applicants may contact Lorena Baccaglini (lorena.baccaglini@nih.gov, 301-435-7908) for general inquiries, William Elwood (william.elwood@nih.gov, 301-402-0116) for behavioral and social science queries, and Yasaman Shirazi (yasaman.shirazi@nih.gov, 301-594-5593) for peer review questions. Grants management questions may be directed to Gabriel Hidalgo (gabriel.hidalgo@mail.nih.gov, 301-827-4630).