Limited Competition: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career researchers transitioning from postdoctoral or clinical fellowship training into independent research positions. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents with a research doctorate (Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.V.M., or equivalent) and be within the first two to three years of their initial independent research position. Research institutions including universities, hospitals, medical centers, and other research-intensive organizations are eligible to apply on behalf of qualifying researchers. The program supports high-impact biomedical and behavioral research across NIH priority areas, with particular emphasis on innovative research that would strengthen the applicant's emerging research program and career trajectory.
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Key dates
- Jul 1, 2025 Applications open
- Oct 14, 2025 Application deadline
- May 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The NHLBI intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS) Career Development program. The goal of the StARRTS program is to help ensure that highly trained scientists are available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the Nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) support a variety of mentored and non-mentored career development award programs designed to foster the transition of new investigators to research independence and to support established investigators in achieving specific objectives.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this NOFO.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 R&R (Research and Related Activities) form
- Project Narrative (typically 10-15 pages including Specific Aims, Research Design and Methods, and Significance)
- Biographical Sketch (NIH format, 5 pages)
- References Cited
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Current and Pending Support (list of all funding sources)
- Facilities and Administrative Resources description
- Institutional endorsement letter (from department chair or research office)
- Letters of support or collaboration agreements (if applicable)
- Appendix materials (preliminary data figures, letters, etc., as permitted)
Program contact
- 👤 David Schopfer, M.D. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- 📧 david.schopfer@nih.gov
- 📞 301-402-3833
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.840 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$9,471,643
-
$8,728,007
-
$7,692,108
-
$4,748,073
-
$4,329,292
-
$3,974,800
-
$3,945,932
-
$3,945,135
-
$3,943,028
-
$3,868,722
Top States by Funding
- MA 7 awards $24.6M
- NY 5 awards $17.8M
- WA 5 awards $16.2M
- CA 8 awards $14.1M
- PA 6 awards $14.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.840). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $68,908,737 | |
| 2025 | $72,174,672 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Early-career researchers within approximately two to three years of their initial independent research appointment (faculty position, research scientist role, or equivalent), holding a research doctorate from an accredited institution. You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or permanent resident.
What types of research are supported?
Biomedical and behavioral research across NIH institutes and centers. The research should be innovative, hypothesis-driven, and aligned with the mission of the relevant NIH institute. Novel methodologies and high-impact approaches are encouraged.
How much funding is typically awarded?
NIH career transition awards generally range from $150,000 to $500,000 total project costs over two to three years, though amounts vary by institute. Check the specific funding opportunity announcement for exact figures.
What is the application timeline?
Applications are typically due within 60-90 days of the funding opportunity announcement. Plan your application to allow 8-12 weeks for institutional review and submission.
How competitive is this program?
This is a limited competition program, making it somewhat less competitive than open funding announcements. However, applications must demonstrate significant innovation, preliminary data, and a clear career development plan. Success rates vary by institute but typically range from 10-25% for similar NIH career awards.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your research independence: Clearly document how your current position differs from your postdoctoral/fellowship role, with specific examples of leadership in research design, mentorship, and publication.
- Provide strong preliminary data: Include preliminary findings that demonstrate proof-of-concept for your proposed research. This significantly strengthens competitiveness relative to unfunded exploratory studies.
- Align with NIH priorities: Review the specific institute or center's strategic plan and recent funding priorities. Tailor your research aims and rationale to demonstrate alignment with current agency emphasis.
- Develop a clear career plan: Beyond the research proposal, articulate how this award will establish you as an independent investigator and support your long-term research trajectory. Include mentoring relationships and professional development plans.
- Budget realistically for early-stage research: Request funding proportionate to your preliminary data and early-stage needs. Overambitious budgets for unfunded exploratory work are common rejection reasons; focus on achievable aims within the funding level.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often fail to clearly demonstrate research independence—reviewers need explicit evidence that you are directing the research agenda, not continuing as a postdoc under a mentor's supervision. Another frequent pitfall is insufficient preliminary data; early-career researchers should provide convincing proof-of-concept rather than purely exploratory aims. Finally, weak career development narratives that don't clearly connect the proposed research to establishment as an independent investigator can undermine an otherwise strong application.
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