Dental Primary Care Practice-Based Research Network: Clinical Trial or Observational Study Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement
Can you apply?
This grant is for dental research organizations and practice-based research networks seeking to plan and implement clinical trials or observational studies in primary care dental settings. Eligible recipients typically include academic dental institutions, dental schools, dental practice networks, dental societies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organizations. The program supports infrastructure development, network coordination, and research protocol planning to advance evidence-based dentistry. Geographic scope is nationwide, and the focus is on dental primary care settings. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to conduct rigorous clinical research and engage multiple dental practices as research sites or participants.
Key dates
- Aug 28, 2025 Applications open
- Sep 7, 2026 Application deadline in 98 days
- Apr 30, 2027 Award announced
- May 1, 2027 Project start
This grant is for dental research organizations and practice-based research networks seeking to plan and implement clinical trials or observational studies in primary care dental settings. Eligible recipients typically include academic dental institutions, dental schools, dental practice networks, dental societies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organizations. The program supports infrastructure development, network coordination, and research protocol planning to advance evidence-based dentistry. Geographic scope is nationwide, and the focus is on dental primary care settings. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to conduct rigorous clinical research and engage multiple dental practices as research sites or participants.
Program description
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite applications for clinical trials and large clinical observational studies to be conducted in a Dental Primary Care Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN). Research studies will utilize the Dental Primary Care PBRN infrastructure and resources for study planning and implementation. The Dental Primary Care PBRN will provide oral health practitioners with an opportunity to propose or participate in research studies, conducted in participating dental clinical practices (offices/clinics) with consenting patients. Supported studies will focus on integrating oral health care into medical care (whole-person health), such as screening for medical conditions and health behaviors in dental care settings and appropriate referrals to medical providers for follow-up care. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Investigators with expertise in observational studies or clinical trials in practice-based research settings are encouraged to apply. NIDCR is authorized to forecast this opportunity under the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C §§ 241 and 284) and federal regulations (42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- 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 dental research organizations and practice-based research networks seeking to plan and implement clinical trials or observational studies in primary care dental settings. Eligible recipients typically include academic dental institutions, dental schools, dental practice networks, dental societies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organizations. The program supports infrastructure development, network coordination, and research protocol planning to advance evidence-based dentistry. Geographic scope is nationwide, and the focus is on dental primary care settings. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to conduct rigorous clinical research and engage multiple dental practices as research sites or participants.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH application forms (SF-424 and associated NIH forms)
- Project narrative and specific aims (research protocol)
- Detailed budget and budget justification (typically 3-5 years)
- Biographical sketches of key research personnel
- Letters of support from participating dental practices and institutions
- Preliminary data demonstrating feasibility
- Research timeline and project milestones
- Data management and analysis plan
- Plan for human subjects protection (IRB approval pathway)
- Letters of commitment from practice-based research network partners
Program contact
- 👤 Dena Fischer, DDS, MSD, MS
- 📧 dena.fischer@nih.gov
- 📞 301-594-4876
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.121 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$443,702,768
-
$32,310,944
-
$31,252,186
-
$29,535,192
-
$23,987,187
-
$23,513,241
-
$18,362,716
-
$16,829,492
-
$15,691,075
-
$14,460,130
Top States by Funding
- WA 2 awards $451.4M
- CA 13 awards $134.6M
- MI 4 awards $75.8M
- PA 4 awards $67.6M
- MA 5 awards $39.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.121). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $319,987,302 | |
| 2025 | $332,151,837 | |
| 2026 est. | $337,316,521 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Typically 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, academic dental institutions, dental schools, dental practice networks, and established research organizations with dental focus. Some federal and state agencies may be eligible; consult the detailed NOFO for your specific organization type.
What types of studies does this grant support?
The program funds planning and implementation of clinical trials or observational studies conducted within primary care dental practice settings. Studies should address clinically relevant dental health questions and involve practice-based research networks.
What is the typical funding amount and project duration?
This cooperative agreement typically provides multi-year funding. Specific award amounts vary by application scope and network size; check the current NOFO for funding ranges and project period expectations.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a highly competitive NIH program. Applicants must demonstrate strong preliminary data, established practice networks, experienced research team, and clear clinical relevance. Success rates are typically lower than other NIH mechanisms.
When is the application deadline?
The application open date is August 28, 2025. Consult the NIH grants website or NOFO for the specific deadline date, as it may vary by funding cycle.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish or document partnerships with multiple dental practices before submitting; a strong, committed practice-based research network is essential to competitiveness.
- Clearly define your research question and explain why it is clinically important to practicing dentists and patients; focus on pragmatic, real-world dental health outcomes.
- Include letters of support from dental practices, practice leaders, and any institutional partners demonstrating commitment to the research study.
- Develop a detailed, realistic budget and timeline that accounts for network coordination, practice site support, and research implementation costs over the full project period.
- Address how you will ensure diversity and inclusion in your study population and research team, reflecting contemporary NIH emphasis on health equity in dental research.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications frequently fail due to lack of demonstrated practice-based research network infrastructure or unrealistic timelines for study implementation across multiple sites. Applicants often underestimate the complexity of coordinating dental practices and managing multi-site data collection, or fail to clearly articulate how their study will generate evidence that improves clinical practice. Weak preliminary data or unclear clinical significance of the research question also commonly lead to rejection.
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