Open for applications

Federal funding opportunity

Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NHLBI K01/K08/K23/K25 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health

  • OpportunityRFA-HL-27-004
  • Agency codeHHS-NIH11
  • CategoryDiscretionary (D)
809 days until applications close Tue, November 7, 2028
PostedMay 12, 2026 ClosesNov 7, 2028
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Competitive proposals usually start 6+ weeks out.

$3.9M Est. program funding
$85,000 Award ceiling
N/a Award floor
29 Expected no. of awards

Program summary

Synopsis

This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a Limited Competition that invites applications from eligible organizations to apply. Please see Section III. Eligibility for additional information. In accordance with NIH standard peer-review processes, the applications will be peer-reviewed, and only meritorious applications will be considered. The purpose of this NOFO is to solicit current or recently completed NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 awardees for small grant support to expand their current research objectives or to branch out to a new study emerging from their K award research. This NOFO is intended to facilitate the transition to research independence for these NHLBI K awardees. Current NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 awardees may apply for this R03 support starting in the third year of their K award Project Period. Recently completed NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 award recipients are eligible to apply or resubmit A1 applications if the earliest potential R03 award start date is within two years of the end of their K award Project Period.The R03 grant mechanism supports research projects that can be completed within two years and with limited resources. These projects are expected to generate preliminary data to bolster a subsequent R01-equivalent application. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, pilot or feasibility studies; proof of concept studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of new research methodologies or technologies, or creation of novel experimental model systems.Applicants are required to maintain a minimum of 40% protected research effort during the R03 award period. This requirement can be fulfilled through a combination of effort on the proposed R03 project and other research projects, irrespective of funding source.For current and former K23 awardees, the research proposed in the R03 application may or may not include patient-oriented research.

Timeline

Key dates

  • May 12, 2026
    Opportunity posted to grants.gov
  • August 21, 2026
    Today — 809 days of the window remain
  • November 7, 2028
    Applications close
  • January 6, 2029
    Opportunity archived

Who may apply

Eligibility

Eligible applicant types as published by the awarding agency:

  • Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  • For profit organizations other than small businesses
  • State governments
  • Special district governments
  • Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
  • Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  • Independent school districts
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Small businesses
  • Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
Additional info on eligibility
Only the following NHLBI K01, K08, K23, and K25 awardees are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity.Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.
Cost sharing or matching
Not required

Awarding agency

Additional information

Agency name
National Institutes of Health
Grantor contact
National Institutes of Health
301-402-2541
NHLBI_R03@nih.gov

Assistance listing

CFDA program(s)

  • 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
  • 93.840 Translation and Implementation Science Research for Heart, Lung, Blood Diseases, and Sleep Disorders

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Every engagement is scoped around the organization in front of us — its goals, its deadline, and the internal capacity it already has. Pricing, team assignments, and project milestones are agreed before any work begins, so there are no surprises mid-project. Below are the questions prospective clients and partners ask us most often.

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809 days is enough time — if you start now.

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