Grant Mechanisms Directory
Budget limits, page requirements, eligibility criteria, and application details for NIH and NSF grant programs.
NIH R01: Research Project Grant
The primary mechanism for investigator-initiated research at NIH
Mechanism Type
Research Project Grant
Budget
Up to $500K/year direct costs (over $500...
Project Duration
3 to 5 years
NIH R21: Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant
Funding for early-stage, high-risk/high-reward research projects
Mechanism Type
Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant
Budget
Up to $275,000 total direct costs over 2...
Project Duration
Up to 2 years
NIH R03: Small Research Grant
Limited funding for small, self-contained research projects
Mechanism Type
Small Research Grant
Budget
Up to $50,000 per year in direct costs
Project Duration
Up to 2 years
NIH R15: Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)
Supporting research at institutions that receive limited NIH funding
Mechanism Type
Academic Research Enhancement Award
Budget
Up to $300,000 in direct costs over enti...
Project Duration
Up to 3 years
NIH K99/R00: Pathway to Independence Award
Bridging the transition from postdoctoral fellow to independent faculty
Mechanism Type
Career Transition Award (mentored to ind...
K99 Phase (Mentored)
1 to 2 years; budget varies by institute...
R00 Phase (Independent)
Up to 3 years; budget varies by institut...
NIH F31: Predoctoral Individual NRSA Fellowship
Fellowship funding for PhD students conducting dissertation research
Mechanism Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research...
Stipend
Set by NRSA stipend levels (check curren...
Tuition and Fees
Up to 100% of tuition and fees (with ins...
NIH F32: Postdoctoral Individual NRSA Fellowship
Fellowship funding for postdoctoral researchers building independent careers
Mechanism Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Researc...
Stipend
Based on years of postdoctoral experienc...
Duration
Up to 3 years
NIH K23: Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
Protected time and funding for junior faculty conducting patient-oriented research
Mechanism Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Caree...
Budget
Salary support plus up to $50,000/year i...
Project Duration
3 to 5 years
NIH T32: Institutional National Research Service Award
Institutional training grants that support predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees
Mechanism Type
Institutional Research Training Grant
Award Recipient
Institution (not individual trainees)
Budget
NRSA stipends per trainee slot plus tuit...
NIH SBIR/STTR: Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer
Federal funding for small businesses developing biomedical innovations
Mechanism Type
Small Business Innovation Research / Sma...
Phase I Budget
Approximately $275K total costs (adjuste...
Phase I Duration
6 to 12 months
NSF CAREER: Faculty Early Career Development Program
NSF's most prestigious award for junior faculty integrating research and education
Mechanism Type
Faculty Early Career Development Award
Minimum Budget
$400,000 over 5 years ($500,000 in some ...
Duration
5 years
NSF GRFP: Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Three years of funding for outstanding graduate students in STEM fields
Mechanism Type
Graduate Research Fellowship
Stipend
$37,000 per year (check current solicita...
Cost of Education Allowance
$16,000 per year to the institution (che...
NSF RAPID: Grants for Quick-Response Research
Fast-tracked funding for urgent research on ephemeral phenomena
Mechanism Type
Grant for Rapid Response Research
Budget
Up to $300,000 (total, including indirec...
Duration
Up to 1 year (no-cost extensions possibl...
NSF EAGER: Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research
Funding for high-risk, potentially transformative research ideas
Mechanism Type
Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Res...
Budget
Up to $400,000 (total, including indirec...
Duration
Up to 2 years
Walmart Spark Good: Local Community Grant Program
Walmart's local community grant program for nonprofits, schools, government entities, and faith-based organizations
Grant Amount
$250 to $5,000
Eligibility
501(c)(3) public charities, government e...
Application Cycles (FY27)
Cycle 1: Feb 1 – Apr 15 | Cycle 2: May 1...