Pilot Projects Enhancing Utility and Usage of Common Fund Data Sets (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and institutions seeking to develop pilot projects using NIH Common Fund datasets. NIH-designated research institutions, including universities, research hospitals, and independent research organizations, are eligible. Individual researchers must be affiliated with an eligible institution. Projects must enhance utility, access, or usage of existing Common Fund datasets without clinical trial components. Geographic scope is U.S. and U.S. territories. Pilot funding supports exploratory or proof-of-concept work using secondary data resources.
This grant is for researchers and institutions seeking to develop pilot projects using NIH Common Fund datasets. NIH-designated research institutions, including universities, research hospitals, and independent research organizations, are eligible. Individual researchers must be affiliated with an eligible institution. Projects must enhance utility, access, or usage of existing Common Fund datasets without clinical trial components. Geographic scope is U.S. and U.S. territories. Pilot funding supports exploratory or proof-of-concept work using secondary data resources.
Program description
Many valuable and widely available data sets have been generated by multiple Common Fund programs. The purpose of this NOFO is to announce the availability of funding to demonstrate and enhance the utility of selected Common Fund (https://commonfund.nih.gov/) data sets, including generating hypotheses and catalyzing discoveries. Award recipients are asked to provide feedback on the utility of the Common Fund data resources.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Hospital
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for researchers and institutions seeking to develop pilot projects using NIH Common Fund datasets. NIH-designated research institutions, including universities, research hospitals, and independent research organizations, are eligible. Individual researchers must be affiliated with an eligible institution. Projects must enhance utility, access, or usage of existing Common Fund datasets without clinical trial components. Geographic scope is U.S. and U.S. territories. Pilot funding supports exploratory or proof-of-concept work using secondary data resources.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 and SF-424 (R&R)
- Project Narrative (Research Strategy)
- Biographical Sketches (Key Personnel)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- NIH Vertebrate Animals or Human Subjects forms (if applicable)
- Data Management and Sharing Plan
- Resource Sharing Plan
- Letters of Support from data custodians
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 CFDE@od.nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$973,507,476
-
$383,462,829
-
$190,396,050
-
$179,743,190
-
$169,422,678
-
$167,922,818
-
$143,679,156
-
$134,358,531
-
$115,739,255
-
$91,722,927
Top States by Funding
- NC 5 awards $1,419.5M
- WA 1 awards $383.5M
- MD 2 awards $303.8M
- NY 3 awards $192.1M
- NJ 1 awards $179.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,174,839,078 | |
| 2025 | $1,062,277,534 | |
| 2026 est. | $28,100,048 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Research institutions including universities and hospitals can apply. Individual researchers must have institutional affiliation. Nonprofit research organizations and academic medical centers are eligible.
What types of projects are supported?
Pilot projects that enhance utility of NIH Common Fund datasets. Clinical trials are not allowed. Secondary data analysis and tool development are typically supported.
When is the application deadline?
The next deadline is June 23, 2026. Applications open January 30, 2026. Check NIH Grants.gov for additional funding cycles.
What is the expected funding level?
R03 awards typically provide smaller budgets for pilot work. Budgets are generally $50,000-$150,000 total costs. Actual amounts vary based on program specifics.
How competitive is this grant?
NIH R03 awards are moderately competitive. Strong emphasis on demonstrating clear utility enhancement. Alignment with Common Fund priorities increases competitiveness.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate how your project increases accessibility or usability of the Common Fund dataset. Emphasize novel analytic approaches or tool development.
- Review NIH Common Fund portfolios and identify which dataset aligns with your research. Show understanding of current limitations or gaps.
- Keep scope realistic for pilot funding. Demonstrate feasibility within the 2-year project period and modest budget constraints.
- Include specific metrics to measure impact on dataset utility. Quantify expected users or downstream research enabled.
- Engage the data custodian or program officer early. Early contact strengthens applications and clarifies expectations.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when project scope exceeds pilot stage or proposes clinical trials. Weak justification of how the project enhances dataset utility or usage. Insufficient preliminary data or unclear feasibility within budget and timeline constraints.
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