Health Grants for Nonprofits

National Institutes of Health · Up to $50K

The NIH parent Small Research Grant (R03, clinical trial not allowed) supports small, short-term projects such as pilot and feasibility studies, secondary data analysis, and methodology development. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $50,000. The small budget suits research institutions pursuing limited-scope projects to generate preliminary data.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH research project grant (R01, clinical trials optional) supporting population-based research on how work and occupation influence health outcomes among populations with health disparities. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations, foreign components of U.S. organizations, and foreign components are not eligible. No specific award amount is stated. This suits research institutions conducting population health-disparities research.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH research project grant (R01, clinical trial not allowed) supporting screening and functional validation of genomic variants linked to human congenital anomalies, developmental disabilities, and inborn errors of metabolism. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. This is a basic-science genomics mechanism for research institutions.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NCI exploratory grant (R21, clinical trial not allowed) funding proof-of-concept studies on the mechanisms by which bariatric surgery affects cancer risk. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. Projects must address feasibility not already established in the literature, so this suits research institutions with relevant preliminary direction.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

The NIH parent Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21, clinical trial required) supports early-stage research projects with at least one clinical trial, aligned with participating NIH institutes' missions. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. The clinical-trial requirement makes this best suited to research institutions with trial capacity.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $200K

An NIH/NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03, clinical trial optional) supporting basic and clinical rehabilitation research from scientists establishing independent careers, intended to generate preliminary data for a later R01. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $200,000. This is an early-career research mechanism administered through a sponsoring institution.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

The NIH parent Research Project Grant (R01, clinical trial required) supports investigator-initiated research projects, with at least one clinical trial required, aligned with participating NIH institutes' missions. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. The clinical-trial requirement makes this best suited to research institutions with trial capacity.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH research project grant (R01, clinical trial required) funding effectiveness trials of post-acute therapeutic and service-delivery interventions for mental health conditions across the lifespan. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and faith- or community-based organizations. No specific award ceiling is stated. This requires conducting a clinical trial, so it suits research institutions with that capacity rather than individuals or general nonprofits.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $500K

An NIH/NCI research project grant (R01) funding projects that integrate medical imaging with fluid-based (liquid biopsy) tumor monitoring during cancer therapy. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible. The award is capped at about $500,000. This is an oncology research mechanism aimed at research institutions, not individuals or general nonprofits.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

A limited-competition NIH planning grant (R34, clinical trial not allowed) supporting fundamental research on skin injuries caused by chemical threats and potential shared therapeutic targets. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, though foreign components within the project are allowed. No specific award amount is stated. As a limited competition, eligibility may be further restricted beyond the listed categories, so review the NOFO closely.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $150K

An NIH Small Research Grant (I/START, R03) designed to help investigators enter brain-imaging research with small proof-of-concept studies relevant to substance use and addiction. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $150,000. It supports newly independent and established investigators through their institutions, not individuals applying directly.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH planning grant (R34, clinical trial required) funding research on family-navigation emergency-department diversion models for non-urgent mental health concerns. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible. No specific award amount is stated. This requires a clinical trial and suits research institutions in mental health services research.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH research project grant (R01, clinical trial required) funding research on family-navigation emergency-department diversion models for non-urgent mental health concerns. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components are not eligible. No specific award amount is stated. The clinical-trial requirement makes this best suited to research institutions in mental health services research.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $200K

An NIH (R21) exploratory grant funding invasive neural recording and stimulation studies in humans to understand neural circuitry underlying mental health disorders. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $200,000. Technology and therapy development are out of scope, so this suits research institutions conducting specific neuroscience studies.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NCI exploratory/developmental bioengineering research grant (EBRG, R21, clinical trial optional) funding feasibility-stage projects that develop new capabilities or improvements for biomedical, pre-clinical, or clinical research and care. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. This is a bioengineering research mechanism aimed at research institutions.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NIMH research project grant (R01, clinical trials not allowed) supporting innovative, non-trial mental health services research aligned with NIMH strategic priorities. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. This suits research institutions conducting services research rather than intervention trials.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH research project grant (R01, clinical trials optional) supporting multi-level intervention research to reduce disparities in liver diseases and liver cancer among U.S. populations experiencing health disparities. Eligible applicants are domestic institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations; foreign organizations and foreign components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, though foreign components within the project are allowed. No specific award amount is stated. This suits research institutions focused on health-disparities intervention research.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $499K

An NIH/NCI research project grant (R01, clinical trial not allowed) funding academic-industrial partnerships to translate scientific and engineering advances into tools for disease risk assessment, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. A broad range of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $499,000. The partnership focus suits research institutions collaborating with industry rather than individuals.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

An NIH/NCI research project grant (R01, clinical trial not allowed) funding basic, mechanistic research into the biological and genetic causes of cancer health disparities. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. No specific award amount is stated. This is a basic-science oncology mechanism aimed at research institutions building expertise in cancer disparities.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $150K

An NIH/NEI planning grant (R34, clinical trial not allowed) supporting development of study protocols and manuals of procedures for future clinical vision research, including trials and epidemiologic studies. A broad set of domestic and foreign institutions may apply, including universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $150,000. Funds cannot be used to generate intervention-effect data, so this is a planning mechanism for research institutions.