Small Research Grant Program for the Next Generation of Researchers in AD/ADRD Research (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 25 246

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 25 246

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Small Research Grant Program for the Next Generation of Researchers in AD/ADRD Research (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" under funding opportunity number PA 25 246 (CFDA 93.866). This is an NIH R03 mechanism, which is designed to support small, focused research projects and pilot studies. The program is centered on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD), with the intent of generating scientific insight that can directly or indirectly improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and/or care for people affected by these conditions. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose a project that includes a clinical trial, but a clinical trial is not required.

The scope is intentionally broad across AD/ADRD research. NIH is looking for meritorious projects that can advance understanding or help move the field forward in practical ways, whether by testing early-stage ideas, producing preliminary data, exploring novel hypotheses, validating approaches, or demonstrating feasibility for larger future studies. Because it is an R03, the emphasis is generally on well-defined aims that can be completed with limited resources and within a compact study design, often serving as a springboard toward larger NIH grants or longer-term research programs.

A major theme of this NOFO is workforce and program development in AD/ADRD. It has two connected goals. First, it aims to encourage the next generation of researchers to enter and remain in AD/ADRD research careers by providing a manageable, credible funding pathway for early-stage or emerging investigators to establish momentum in this area. Second, it is meant to attract and support established researchers who have not previously held a major AD/ADRD award, enabling them to run pilot studies that leverage their existing expertise from other areas and translate it into new, innovative AD/ADRD research directions. In practice, this means the program is designed both for newer investigators building their track record and for experienced investigators pivoting into AD/ADRD with a focused proof-of-concept project.

The maximum award amount listed for this opportunity is $100,000 (award ceiling). The posting does not specify the number of expected awards in the provided data. The original application closing date is March 16, 2026, and the opportunity was created on November 18, 2024. As with many NIH announcements, applicants should plan around NIH submission timelines and internal institutional deadlines that may occur earlier than the published closing date.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of organizational types. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This broad eligibility signals an interest in drawing talent and ideas from many settings, including community-focused and capacity-building institutions.

In short, this NIH R03 opportunity funds smaller, high-value AD/ADRD research projects, with an emphasis on pilot and early-stage work that can quickly produce useful evidence and position investigators for larger efforts. It is explicitly structured to grow the AD/ADRD research pipeline by supporting both early-career researchers and established scientists new to AD/ADRD, while keeping the research scope feasible under a modest budget cap and allowing, but not requiring, clinical trial activity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Research Grant Program for the Next Generation of Researchers in AD/ADRD Research (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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