Focused Technology Research and Development (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-stage research and development projects in focused technology areas funded by the National Institutes of Health. Eligible applicants include nonprofit research institutions, universities, medical centers, and other research organizations with 501(c)(3) status or equivalent Federal IRS tax-exempt status. Individual researchers affiliated with eligible institutions may apply, as can for-profit entities in some cases depending on the specific NIH institute/center. Applications must propose innovative research and development work; clinical trials are explicitly not permitted under this mechanism (R01 excludes clinical trials). Geographic scope is primarily U.S.-based organizations, though international collaboration is sometimes allowable. The research should align with NIH mission priorities and the specific institute's research focus areas.
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Program description
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports projects relevant to the NIGMS mission that focus solely on the development of technologies with potential to enable acquisition of biomedical knowledge. Projects should be justified in terms of technical innovation and utility of such technical innovation for impacting future biomedical research. Outcomes or products of the proposed project should significantly advance the current state of the art and be sufficiently characterized for application in addressing a broad range of biomedical research questions.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) application forms
- Project narrative (research strategy) including Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation, and Approach sections
- Biographical sketches for all key personnel (NIH format, 2 pages each)
- Budget and budget justification
- Current and pending support documentation
- Institutional commitment letter and facilities description
- Letters of support from collaborators (if applicable)
- Appendices (preliminary data, figures, letters of recommendation as specified in NOFO)
Program contact
- 👤 National Institutes of Health
- 📧 grantsinfo@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-2541
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.859 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$59,464,779
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$57,271,194
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$56,019,458
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$54,912,096
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$53,329,877
-
$52,858,544
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$52,347,059
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$52,026,661
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$50,897,104
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$49,349,731
Top States by Funding
- ME 4 awards $143.3M
- MS 4 awards $135.1M
- NY 5 awards $131.6M
- CA 5 awards $129.3M
- RI 4 awards $126.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.859). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,085,929,426 | |
| 2025 | $3,092,472,727 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,093,422,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this R01 grant?
Nonprofit research institutions, universities, academic medical centers, government agencies, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) are eligible. For-profit organizations may apply if competing for certain mechanisms. Individual researchers must be affiliated with an eligible organization.
Can I submit a clinical trial under this grant?
No. This is an R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed mechanism, meaning research proposals involving clinical trials are not permitted under this funding opportunity.
What is the typical funding range and project period?
R01 grants typically support projects for 3-5 years with budgets ranging from $250,000 to $500,000+ depending on the institute/center and research area. Consult the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity for exact caps.
How competitive is this grant?
NIH R01 grants are highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 15-25% across NIH. Strong preliminary data, clear innovation, and a well-written application are essential.
What are the key application components?
Standard requirements include SF-424 forms, research strategy (aims, significance, innovation, approach), biographical sketches, institutional commitments, budget justification, and other supporting documents specified in the NOFO.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish clear, measurable specific aims (typically 3-4) that directly address a significant research gap or problem in your technology focus area
- Provide strong preliminary data demonstrating feasibility; reviewers want evidence that your team can execute the proposed work
- Clearly differentiate your approach's innovation from existing methods and explain why the proposed technology matters to the field
- Build a multidisciplinary team with complementary expertise, and clearly delineate each member's role and percent effort
- Submit well ahead of the deadline to allow time for internal institutional review and to handle any submission platform issues
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications frequently fail because they lack sufficient preliminary data or proof-of-concept, making reviewers uncertain whether the proposed approach is feasible. Another common issue is overselling novelty without clearly connecting the research to significant scientific problems or NIH priorities. Additionally, weak team composition or unclear role assignments can undermine confidence in the project's execution.
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