Research Grants in Clinical Informatics (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers seeking to conduct novel research in clinical informatics. Eligible applicants include doctoral degree holders at academic institutions, research hospitals, and nonprofit organizations with strong research capacity. The grant supports projects nationwide and funds both basic and applied research in clinical informatics, including electronic health records, decision support systems, and data analytics.
Individual researchers, research teams, and small businesses may apply. Your institution must have 501(c)(3) status or be a government entity. International collaboration is permitted under NIH guidelines.
Research projects must address gaps in clinical informatics knowledge or practice. Commercial development is not supported. Strong preliminary data strengthens competitiveness.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) seeks applications for innovative research in clinical informatics. The overarching goal of this forthcoming program is to catalyze the development and advancement of novel informatics methodologies that empower clinicians, patients, and the broader public to better understand, manage, and improve health and health care delivery. This NOFO will support research focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical informatics tools and methods that enable data-driven discovery, promote evidence-based decision-making, and support personalized and precision health care. Emphasis will be placed on domain-independent, scalable, and reusable/reproducible approaches for the discovery, analysis, organization, and management of health-related digital objects—including electronic health records (EHRs), clinical notes, imaging data, and patient-generated data. The aim is to transform raw and heterogeneous health data into actionable knowledge, to develop innovative tools, and to implement practical applications that can be generalized across multiple clinical settings and populations. Projects should demonstrate the potential to accelerate scientific insights, improve clinical workflows, and ultimately lead to improved health outcomes.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Federal Application Form
- Project Narrative (research strategy section with specific aims, significance, and innovation)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Biosketch for all key personnel (NIH format)
- Institutional support letter and research infrastructure documentation
- Letters of collaboration (if external partners involved)
- Protection of Human Subjects documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 NLMProgram@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.879 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$31,424,450
-
$21,310,613
-
$18,962,515
-
$18,266,443
-
$14,828,350
-
$14,642,836
-
$13,681,359
-
$13,351,995
-
$12,454,032
-
$11,107,283
Top States by Funding
- MA 9 awards $61.2M
- NY 12 awards $58.1M
- TN 3 awards $50.1M
- TX 4 awards $36.4M
- CA 9 awards $25.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.879). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $78,196,782 | |
| 2025 | $79,391,024 | |
| 2026 est. | $70,230,119 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this R01 grant?
Doctoral degree holders at research-intensive institutions, universities, hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations are eligible. Your institution must have research infrastructure and demonstrate capacity to conduct the proposed work.
What is the typical funding amount and project period?
R01 grants typically fund $250K-$500K annually for up to 5 years. Actual amounts vary by study design and institutional overhead rates.
What type of research does this grant support?
This grant funds original research in clinical informatics. Examples include EHR optimization, clinical decision support, health data analytics, and informatics methodology. Clinical trials are optional for your study design.
What is the competitiveness level?
This is highly competitive. Plan for 10-15% success rates. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and experienced teams are essential.
When are applications due and when will I hear results?
Standard deadline is typically 3 months before the listed date. Initial review occurs within 2-3 months. Final funding decisions take 6-9 months after submission.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with strong preliminary data or proof-of-concept demonstrating feasibility of your informatics approach.
- Clearly articulate the clinical problem and how your informatics solution addresses an unmet need in practice.
- Include a biostatistician or informatics specialist on your team; reviewers expect methodological rigor.
- Align your research with current NIH priorities in precision medicine, big data, and digital health innovation.
- Budget conservatively and justify all personnel costs; NIH scrutinizes excessive administrative overhead.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting without preliminary data demonstrating proof-of-concept for the informatics approach. Focusing too heavily on technology development rather than clinical impact and health outcomes. Assembling weak interdisciplinary teams lacking biostatistical or epidemiological expertise.
Similar grants
- OPEN Personal Health Informatics for Delivering Actionable Insights to Individuals (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Advancing Bioinformatics, Translational Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Laboratories to Optimize Digital Health (R01 Clinical Trial Required) — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED Forecast to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Advanced Development of Informatics Technologies for Cancer Research and Management (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health