Social Services Grants for Nonprofits
12 open opportunities. Open social services grants that nonprofits are eligible to apply for, each with a plain-English summary of who qualifies, the deadline, and the award size.
BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Due Nov 8, 2027National Institutes of Health · Amount varies
This NIH BRAIN Initiative R01 funds development of computational theories, models, and methods for analyzing complex brain-circuit data, to be shared with the research community. Eligible applicants are research organizations, including faith- or community-based organizations, tribal governments, foreign organizations, and U.S. territories; it targets institutions rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. The work is narrowly scoped to neural-circuit tool building, so confirm fit before applying.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+1 moreNIH Small Research Grant Program (Parent R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Due Jan 7, 2028National 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.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+2 moreScreening and Functional Validation of Genomic Variants Associated with Human Congenital Anomalies (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Due Jan 7, 2028National 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.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+1 moreNIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)
Due Jan 7, 2028National 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.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+1 moreNIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required)
Due Jan 7, 2028National 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.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+1 moreNICHD Small Research Grant Program (R03 Clinical Trial Required)
Due Jan 7, 2028National Institutes of Health · Up to $50K
An NIH/NICHD Small Research Grant (R03, clinical trial required) supporting small clinical-trial projects within the NICHD mission. Eligible applicants include a broad range of domestic and foreign institutions such as universities, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. The award is capped at about $50,000. The small budget and clinical-trial requirement make this best suited to research institutions running limited-scope pilot trials.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+2 moreNIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Due Jan 7, 2028National Institutes of Health · Amount varies
The NIH parent Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21, clinical trial not allowed) supports early-stage, higher-risk research projects that may lead to breakthroughs or novel methods. 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 an exploratory research mechanism aimed at research institutions.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+1 moreNIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Due Jan 7, 2028National Institutes of Health · Amount varies
The NIH parent Research Project Grant (R01, clinical trial not allowed) supports investigator-initiated research projects aligned with participating NIH institutes' missions, excluding clinical trials. 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 core NIH research mechanism aimed at research institutions.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesGovernment / tribalNonprofits+1 moreBlueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)
Due Jan 28, 2028National Institutes of Health · Amount varies
This NIH program (Blueprint MedTech Translator) funds translational research and clinical feasibility studies for therapeutic and diagnostic devices targeting nervous- or neuromuscular-system disorders, open to a broad range of institutions including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges, faith- and community-based organizations, and individuals or businesses developing their own devices. It is a milestone-driven cooperative agreement requiring NIH staff involvement in project planning and monitoring. No award amount is specified, and the deadline is not imminent.
NonprofitsSmall businessResearchersSchools & universities+1 moreClinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders, and Syndromes (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Due Jul 20, 2028National Institutes of Health · Amount varies
Open to U.S. universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and certain government/tribal organizations; foreign organizations are not eligible. This NIH R21 funds projects that improve clinical-trial readiness for rare diseases — developing biomarkers and outcome measures, or characterizing a disease's course to enable future trials. Award size follows standard R21 limits.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesNonprofitsGovernment / tribalStephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Due Aug 25, 2028National Institutes of Health · Amount varies
Open to U.S. universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and certain government/tribal organizations; foreign organizations are not eligible. This NIH R01 supports early-stage investigators pursuing a new research direction, and applications must include no preliminary data. Award size follows standard R01 limits; aimed at researchers early in their independent careers.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesNonprofitsGovernment / tribalEarly Immune System Development and Ontogeny (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Due Nov 5, 2028National Institutes of Health · Up to $400K
This NIH R01 grant funds research into early immune system development from the prenatal period through early childhood, including effects of in-utero HIV or antiretroviral exposure. A broad range of applicants is eligible, including colleges and universities, tribal governments, faith- and community-based organizations, minority-serving institutions, and foreign organizations. The award ceiling is up to about $400,000.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesNonprofitsGovernment / tribal+1 more
What social services grants can nonprofits apply for?
UseGrants currently lists 12 open social services grant opportunities that nonprofits are eligible to apply for, each summarized in plain English with its eligibility, deadline, and award amount. The feed covers federal Grants.gov programs plus state grant portals.
How do I know which of these I qualify for?
Every listing includes a plain-English summary of who is eligible, so you can gauge fit before spending hours on an application. The free UseGrants eligibility checker (no signup) also matches you to open grants based on your organization type and focus. Always confirm the official eligibility criteria on the funder's listing before you apply.
How current are these social services grants?
UseGrants aggregates opportunities from public records — federal Grants.gov programs and state grant portals — normalized into one plain-English feed and refreshed regularly. Past-deadline opportunities are removed. Confirm the current deadline and eligibility on the official listing before applying.