As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH supports a variety of programs from grants and contracts to loan repayment. Learn about assistance programs, how to identify a potential funding organization, and past NIH funding.
Explore FundingGrants Process
Take time to learn about each step in the grants process from planning to apply through developing and submitting your application to award and post-award reporting.
Explore Grants ProcessPolicy Compliance
By accepting a grant award, recipients agree to comply with the requirements in the NIH Grants Policy Statement unless the notice of award states otherwise.
Explore Policy ComplianceNews Events
Get the scoop on the latest news related to the NIH grant application and award processes, grants policy, research funding and biomedical workforce analyses, and more.
Explore News EventsAbout Us
Office of Extramural Research (OER) provides the corporate framework for NIH research administration, ensuring scientific integrity, public accountability, and effective stewardship of the NIH extramural research portfolio.
Explore About UsGuidance for research only
Activity Codes: Research (R), including Research Education (R25), and equivalent Cooperative Agreements (U) PDF
Guidance for career development only
Activity Codes: Individual Career Development (K), excluding Institutional Career Development (K12, KL2, KM1) PDF
Guidance for training only
Activity Codes: Institutional Training (T), including International Training (D43, D71, U2R) and Institutional Career Development (K12, KL2, KM1) PDF
Guidance for fellowship only
Activity codes: Fellowship (F) PDF
Guidance for multi-project only
Activity Codes: Program Project Grants and Center Grants (P) and equivalent Cooperative Agreements (U) PDF
Guidance for small business only
Activity Codes: R41-R44, SB1, U43, U44, UB1, UT1, UT2 PDF
Annotated Form Sets—visual reference of application forms annotated with tips to avoid common errorsNIH Grants Policy Statement—outlines the policy requirements that serve as the terms and conditions of NIH grant awardsApplication Form Instruction Archive—past versions of instructionsPaperwork Burden—estimated time for completing a grant applicationCollection of Personal Demographic DataQuick LinksStandard Due Dates—describes standard application submission, review, and award cyclesSubmission Options—applications must be prepared and submitted using an online systemSelect Format Pages—specific templates are required for a small number of application attachments Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions, and SamplesData TablesSystemsASSIST—NIH system used to access, prepare, and submit application formseRA Commons—NIH system used to securely exchange information between agency staff and applicants/recipientsGrants.gov—central portal used by all federal grant-making agencies and their applicants to find and apply for federal grant funding
eRA—general information, tutorials, user guides, and other resources for eRA systemseRA News—announcements of system features and system health
Section VII. Agency Contacts in each funding opportunity provides application submission, scientific/research, peer review, and financial/grants management contacts.
Check online guidance and direct your questions to staff in your organization's sponsored programs office. If you still need assistance, find NIH contacts at Need Help?
This page last updated on: November 12, 2024
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