Grants for Nonprofits

DOT - FAA Aviation Research Grants · $0–$6M

This FAA program funds aviation research grants and cooperative agreements supporting civil aviation and commercial space transportation, across topics like air traffic technology, aviation safety, weather, airports, and human factors, with awards up to about $6 million. Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institutions other than higher-education institutions. It is not open to individuals or businesses, and applicant eligibility can vary with the nature of the research proposed. This is a large-award program aimed at universities and nonprofit research organizations.

Bureau of Reclamation · $50K–$3M

This Bureau of Reclamation program funds water resource projects such as conservation and efficiency, infrastructure improvements, and watershed restoration, with awards from about $50,000 up to $3 million. Eligible applicants are states, tribes, irrigation and water districts, water/power authorities, certain nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with those entities, and qualifying watershed groups; applicants generally must be in the Western U.S. or named territories. Federal entities, individuals, and institutions of higher education are not eligible, and projects require a cost share (typically 25-50 percent of total cost). This is a geographically restricted opportunity aimed at water-management organizations.

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Department of Defense (DHAPP/PEPFAR) program funds HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment interventions delivered through the military health systems of foreign countries. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to clarification in the announcement, but the work is inherently international and country-specific, so it suits organizations capable of working with foreign militaries. The announcement is revised regularly with country-specific narratives, and award amounts are not specified. Review the full announcement and its country attachments to confirm eligibility and scope.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $250K

Open to U.S. research and education organizations including universities, minority-serving institutions, tribal governments, and faith- and community-based groups under this NIDCD R25 research-education mechanism; foreign organizations are not eligible to apply. Funds educational activities that recruit clinician-scientists from specific specialty backgrounds into NIDCD-relevant biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research careers. No clinical trial is allowed; awards are capped at about $250,000 per year.

Air Force -- Research Lab · Amount varies

This Air Force Research Laboratory opportunity (CHEERS) solicits white papers, and potentially later technical and cost proposals, on human performance research areas defined in attached statements of objectives. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to clarification in the full announcement, so a range of organizations including businesses, nonprofits, and universities may be able to apply. Applicants must reference the related Multiple Authority Announcement to obtain required attachments. Award amounts are not specified, and specific eligibility terms are somewhat vague, so review the full solicitation carefully.

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · Amount varies

This Defense Health Agency broad agency announcement (BAA) solicits extramural basic and applied medical research and development proposals that benefit both military and civilian medical practice. Eligibility is unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply, subject to clarifications in the notice. No award amount is specified. The selection process is highly competitive, and projects must focus on advancing scientific knowledge rather than developing a specific system or product.

Air Force -- Research Lab · Amount varies

This Air Force Research Laboratory solicitation (CHEERS) seeks white papers, and potentially later proposals, on human-effectiveness and aerospace-medicine research for experimental and test purposes in defense development. Eligibility is unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply, subject to clarifications in the notice. No award amount is specified. Applicants must reference the related Multiple Authority Announcement to obtain required attachments, and the work is tied to specific defense research objectives.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NINDS U01 funds IND-enabling studies and planning for first-in-human testing of gene-based therapies for ultra-rare neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; foreign organizations are not eligible, and it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. The ultra-rare gene-therapy focus makes eligibility narrow.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NCI U01 funds cancer etiology and early-detection biomarker research that must use the NCI-sponsored PLCO Screening Trial biospecimen resource. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, tribal governments, foreign organizations, and U.S. territories; it targets research organizations, not individuals. No award amount is specified. Projects that do not use PLCO biospecimens will not be funded, which narrows eligibility significantly.

National Institutes of Health · Up to $500K

This NIH/NIDCD R01 funds translational research that turns basic findings into clinical tools for communication disorders such as hearing, balance, voice, speech, and language. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it targets research organizations, not individuals. Awards reach up to about $500,000. Projects must show a clear clinical connection and practical impact, so the scope is specific.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH R33 grant funds pilot research developing and testing novel psychosocial therapeutic and preventive interventions for mental disorders, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it is geared toward research organizations rather than individuals. The award amount is not specified in the listing. Applicants must use the experimental-therapeutics approach described, so the research focus is narrow.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH award (R61/R33) funds feasibility work followed by clinical trials testing mental-health system interventions to improve the organization, delivery, and outcomes of mental health services. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. The focus on system-level interventions and required clinical trial make the scope narrow.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH R01 funds pilot effectiveness trials of mental health treatment, prevention, and services interventions, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. Studies must follow NIMH's experimental-therapeutics approach, so the scope is specific.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH U01 cooperative agreement funds first-in-human and early-stage clinical trials of novel investigational drugs or neuromodulatory devices for psychiatric disorders, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; foreign organizations are not eligible, and it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. It emphasizes academia-industry partnerships, so the scope is narrow.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH R33 grant funds early-stage testing of pharmacologic or device-based interventions for mental disorders, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it is aimed at research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. The study must follow NIMH's experimental-therapeutics design requirements, so the scope is narrow.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH R01 funds full-scale hybrid effectiveness-implementation clinical trials of mental health treatment, prevention, or services interventions in community and practice settings, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. Trials must be well-powered and follow NIMH's experimental-therapeutics approach, so the scope is specific.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH R01 funds confirmatory efficacy clinical trials of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for mental disorders in adults and children, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. Trials must follow NIMH's experimental-therapeutics design, so the scope is narrow.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH award (R61/R33) funds development and testing of novel psychosocial therapeutic and preventive interventions for mental disorders, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. Work must follow NIMH's experimental-therapeutics approach, so the scope is specific.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIMH award (R61/R33) funds early-stage testing of pharmacologic or device-based interventions for mental disorders, with a clinical trial required. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; it targets research organizations rather than individuals. No award amount is specified. Studies must follow NIMH's experimental-therapeutics design, so the scope is specific.

National Institutes of Health · Amount varies

This NIH/NIDCD R21 early-career award supports basic and clinical research by scientists beginning an independent research career in NIDCD mission areas such as hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. Eligible applicants are research and education institutions, including minority-serving and tribal-serving institutions, faith- or community-based organizations, and tribal governments; foreign organizations are not eligible. It cannot fund thesis or dissertation research, and is intended to generate preliminary data for a later R01. No award amount is specified.