Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 211
The NCMRR Early Career Research (ECR) Award is an NIH small grant mechanism (R03, clinical trial optional) designed to help early-stage rehabilitation scientists move into independent research careers. The central goal is to fund focused, feasible projects that allow a new investigator to generate the kind of preliminary data and proof-of-concept results that can realistically grow into a competitive R01 application. In other words, this opportunity is meant to be a launching pad: it supports smaller, well-defined studies that build credibility, establish a research direction, and produce publishable findings that strengthen a future larger proposal.
The program supports both basic and clinical rehabilitation research, as long as the work clearly fits within the biomedical and behavioral mission of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR). Priority scientific areas include the pathophysiology and long-term management of chronically injured nervous and musculoskeletal systems; mechanisms and interventions that promote repair and recovery of motor and cognitive function; and research on functional plasticity, adaptation, and critical windows of opportunity when rehabilitation interventions may be most effective. It also emphasizes rehabilitative strategies that can include pharmaceutical approaches, stimulation-based interventions, neuroengineering solutions, exercise and motor training paradigms, and behavioral modifications. Additional key areas include pediatric rehabilitation, prevention and treatment of secondary conditions that arise with chronic disabilities, improvements in diagnosis and assessment (including outcome measures), and the development or refinement of orthotics, prosthetics, and other assistive technologies and devices.
In terms of project types, the ECR Award is flexible and can support several formats as long as the study is tightly scoped and likely to produce actionable results. Examples include secondary analyses of existing datasets, small self-contained research projects, development or validation of research methods, translational research that bridges basic findings toward clinical application, outcomes research, and early development of new rehabilitation technologies. Regardless of the approach, the expectation is that the project will directly strengthen the investigator's next steps by yielding preliminary evidence, feasibility data, or early efficacy signals that justify a more ambitious follow-on study.
There are also clear boundaries on who and what this award is meant to fund. It is specifically targeted to investigators who are establishing independence, and it cannot be used to support thesis or dissertation work. It likewise cannot be used for research conducted by postdoctoral fellows, reinforcing that the mechanism is meant for independent early-career researchers rather than trainees still operating under a mentor's training framework.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-211) in the health-related assistance category (CFDA 93.865). The listed award ceiling is $100,000. Eligible applicants are broad and include many kinds of U.S.-based organizations and institutions, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as independent school districts and public housing or Indian housing authorities. Eligibility also explicitly extends to a wide range of mission-driven and capacity-building institutions and entities, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, AANAPISIS institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, certain tribal governments and organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and regional organizations, reflecting an intent to be inclusive of diverse research environments.
The opportunity was created on November 21, 2017, and the original closing date listed is March 29, 2019, which suggests that this specific posting may now be historical. Even so, the structure and intent are representative of NCMRR's broader strategy: investing in early independent investigators with targeted funds to produce the preliminary results needed to compete for larger NIH rehabilitation research awards.Apply for PAR 18 211
- The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCMRR Early Career Research Award (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): 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-29. (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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FAQs: NCMRR Early Career Research (ECR) Award (NIH R03, Clinical Trial Optional)
What is the NCMRR Early Career Research (ECR) Award?
The NCMRR Early Career Research (ECR) Award is an NIH small grant mechanism (R03, clinical trial optional) intended to help early-stage rehabilitation scientists transition into independent research careers by supporting focused, feasible projects.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central goal is to fund well-defined studies that generate preliminary data and proof-of-concept results that can realistically develop into a competitive future R01 application. It is designed as a launching pad for early independent investigators.
What type of NIH grant mechanism is used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R03 small grant mechanism, and clinical trials are optional under this program.
Is this opportunity meant to support an R01 in the future?
Yes. A core expectation is that the work will produce evidence such as feasibility data, preliminary findings, or early efficacy signals that strengthen the investigator's next steps and support a later, larger proposal (such as an R01).
Which NIH center or mission area does the project need to align with?
The project must clearly fit within the biomedical and behavioral mission of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) and be grounded in rehabilitation research.
Does the program support basic research, clinical research, or both?
Both basic and clinical rehabilitation research are supported, as long as the work aligns with NCMRR's mission and priority areas.
What scientific areas are considered priorities for this award?
Priority scientific areas include: (1) pathophysiology and long-term management of chronically injured nervous and musculoskeletal systems; (2) mechanisms and interventions that promote repair and recovery of motor and cognitive function; and (3) research on functional plasticity, adaptation, and critical windows when rehabilitation interventions may be most effective.
What kinds of rehabilitation strategies and interventions are emphasized?
The program emphasizes rehabilitative strategies that may include pharmaceutical approaches, stimulation-based interventions, neuroengineering solutions, exercise and motor training paradigms, and behavioral modifications.
Are pediatric rehabilitation topics included?
Yes. Pediatric rehabilitation is listed as an additional key area supported under this opportunity.
Does the program support research on secondary conditions associated with chronic disability?
Yes. The prevention and treatment of secondary conditions that arise with chronic disabilities are explicitly included among the key areas of interest.
Can projects focus on diagnosis, assessment, or outcome measures?
Yes. Improvements in diagnosis and assessment, including outcome measures, are included as key areas of interest.
Is assistive technology development within scope?
Yes. The development or refinement of orthotics, prosthetics, and other assistive technologies and devices is specifically included.
What kinds of project formats can be supported?
The ECR Award can support multiple formats as long as the study is tightly scoped and likely to produce actionable results. Examples include secondary analyses of existing datasets, small self-contained research projects, development or validation of research methods, translational research bridging basic findings toward clinical application, outcomes research, and early development of new rehabilitation technologies.
Can the award support a secondary analysis of an existing dataset?
Yes. Secondary analyses of existing datasets are provided as an example of an acceptable project type under this program.
Can the award support method development or validation?
Yes. Development or validation of research methods is explicitly listed as an eligible project format, provided it is focused and feasible.
Can the award support translational research?
Yes. Translational research that bridges basic findings toward clinical application is included as an example of a project type that may be supported.
Can the award support outcomes research?
Yes. Outcomes research is listed among the supported project types.
What is the expectation for results produced by the funded project?
The expectation is that the project will yield preliminary evidence such as feasibility data, proof-of-concept findings, or early efficacy signals. The intent is to generate publishable results that strengthen a future larger proposal.
Who is this award intended for?
It is specifically targeted to investigators who are establishing independence as early-career rehabilitation scientists.
Can this award be used to support thesis or dissertation research?
No. This award cannot be used to support thesis or dissertation work.
Can postdoctoral fellows apply to use this award for their research?
No. The opportunity cannot be used for research conducted by postdoctoral fellows, reinforcing that it is meant for independent early-career researchers rather than trainees operating under a mentor's training framework.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-18-211.
What is the assistance listing / CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.865.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $100,000.
What category of assistance is this opportunity in?
It is in the health-related assistance category.
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are broad and include public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as independent school districts and public housing or Indian housing authorities.
Are minority-serving institutions included as eligible applicants?
Yes. Eligibility explicitly includes institutions such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, and AANAPISIS institutions, among others.
Are Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian-serving, faith-based, or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligibility extends to Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions and also includes faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligibility includes certain tribal governments and organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligibility includes U.S. territories or possessions.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligibility is stated to include non-U.S. (foreign) organizations and regional organizations.
When was this opportunity created, and is it still active?
The opportunity was created on November 21, 2017. The original closing date listed is March 29, 2019, which suggests this specific posting may now be historical.
If the closing date has passed, why is this opportunity still useful to reference?
Even if the specific posting is historical, the structure and intent are described as representative of NCMRR's broader strategy to invest in early independent investigators using targeted funds to generate preliminary results needed for larger NIH rehabilitation research awards.
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| Advancing the Science of Multipurpose Technology for the Prevention of HIV and Unintended Pregnancy (R41/R42) Apply for RFA HD 18 101 Funding Number: RFA HD 18 101 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 650 Funding Number: PAR 18 650 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 649 Funding Number: PAR 18 649 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Developmental Pharmacodynamics and Models of Drug Effects in Pediatrics (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 687 Funding Number: PA 18 687 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Innovative Therapies and Tools for Screenable Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 689 Funding Number: PAR 18 689 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Therapies and Tools for Screenable Disorders (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 690 Funding Number: PAR 18 690 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
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