Small Research Grant Program (R03)
🏛 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA (HHS-CDC-HHSCDCERA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for occupational safety and health researchers interested in pilot, feasibility, or methodology studies. Eligible applicants are typically academic institutions, research centers, and nonprofit organizations with research capacity. Projects must address occupational diseases, injuries, or hazardous workplace conditions. The research should have potential to reduce work-related illness and translate into prevention practices.
Projects can include pilot studies, feasibility research, secondary data analysis, or research method development. The scope is national, supporting research that advances occupational health understanding and prevention.
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Key dates
- Jul 23, 2026 Applications open
- Feb 16, 2027 Application deadline in 202 days
- Sep 22, 2027 Award announced
- Oct 21, 2027 Project start
Program description
The purpose of the R03 grant program is (1) to develop an understanding of the risks and conditions associated with occupational diseases and injuries, (2) to explore methods for reducing risks and preventing or minimizing exposure to hazardous conditions in the workplace, and (3) to translate significant scientific findings into prevention practices and products that will effectively reduce work-related illnesses and injuries.
The NIOSH Small Research grant mechanism (R03) supports occupational safety and health research projects that can be carried out with limited resources, such as pilot and feasibility studies, secondary data analysis, or development of research methods.
Applicants must concisely describe the occupational health burden addressed in their proposal and must link the need for the proposed research activities to planned outputs that will help alleviate this burden. Applicants should clearly articulate the anticipated impacts of the proposed research, both during the project period and beyond.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal application form)
- Project narrative/research proposal
- Budget and budget justification
- Biosketches of key personnel
- Letters of support (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Jessica MK Streit, PhD, CHES, Scientific Program Official
- 📧 jstreit@cdc.gov
- 📞 513-533-8107
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.262 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$119,835,396
-
$84,316,965
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$32,293,512
-
$31,307,359
-
$31,273,504
-
$31,109,864
-
$30,624,479
-
$30,094,184
-
$29,920,153
-
$29,746,441
Top States by Funding
- NY 22 awards $229.1M
- MD 3 awards $121.4M
- CA 6 awards $109.6M
- MA 6 awards $80.8M
- MI 3 awards $76.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.262). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $130,993,880 | |
| 2025 | $127,849,749 | |
| 2026 est. | $113,003,523 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Academic institutions, research organizations, and nonprofits with occupational health research capacity. Eligibility varies by institution type; check NIOSH guidance for your specific organization.
What types of projects are funded?
Pilot studies, feasibility studies, secondary data analysis, and research method development. Projects should address occupational diseases, injuries, or workplace hazards.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is February 16, 2027. This is a fixed deadline; submissions must arrive by end of business on that date.
What is the funding range?
Up to $100,000 per award. Total pool is $2,000,000, supporting multiple projects. Actual award amounts depend on project scope and reviewer scores.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant. All project costs can be covered by the federal award.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on occupational health burden. Clearly describe the work-related disease or injury problem your research addresses.
- Design for limited resources. This mechanism funds smaller projects; avoid proposals requiring expensive infrastructure or extensive staffing.
- Link research to outcomes. Connect your proposed work to outputs that reduce workplace risks or prevent occupational illness.
- Emphasize feasibility. Show that your team can complete the project successfully within the grant period and budget.
- Plan for translation. Explain how findings will move into actual prevention practices or products, not just publications.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague occupational health problem. Clearly identify the specific work-related disease or hazard, not generic workplace issues. Unrealistic scope. Proposing too much work for the budget and timeline; pilot/feasibility studies should be focused and achievable. Missing translation pathway. Failing to explain how results will lead to prevention practices or occupational health improvements.
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