NCI Grant Activity Codes/Mechanisms

Research Construction Programs
To provide matching Federal funds, up to 75%, for construction or major remodeling, to create new research facilities. In addition to basic research laboratories this may include, under certain circumstances, animal facilities and/or limited clinical facilities where they are an integral part of an overall research effort.
NIH Policy

DP-1

NIH Director's Pioneer Award (NDPA)
To support individuals who have the potential to make extraordinary contributions to medical research. The NIH Director’s Pioneer Award is not renewable.

DP-2

NIH Director's New Innovator Awards
The DP2 NIH Director’s New Innovator Awards provide support to highly innovative research projects by new investigators in all areas of biomedical and behavioral research.

DP-5

Early Independence Award
To support the independent research project of a recent doctoral degree recipient. This research grant program will encourage exceptionally creative scientists to bypass the typical post-doc research training period in order to move rapidly to research independence. It will encourage institutions to develop independent career tracks for recent graduates in order to demonstrate the benefits of early transition to independence both in terms of career productivity for the candidate and research capability for the institution.

D-43

International Research Training Grants
To support research training programs for US and foreign professionals and students to strengthen global health research and international research collaboration.

F-30

Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA for Individual Predoctoral MD/PhD Degree Fellows
To provide predoctoral individuals with supervised research training in specified health and health-related areas leading toward the research degree (e.g., Ph.D.).
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (F30)

F-31

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) for Individual Predoctoral Fellows
Supports promising doctoral candidates who will perform dissertation research and training for a PhD degree in a scientific health-related field relevant to the mission of the NCI during the tenure of the award. Applicants for the F31 must be candidates for the PhD degree and must be at the dissertation research stage of training at the time of award.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (F31)

F-32

Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) for Individual Postdoctoral Fellows
Individual NCI F32 fellowship awards are made for training at a specific institution under the guidance of a particular sponsor. Prior approval by NCI is required for a transfer of the award to another institution, a change in the primary sponsor or a significant project change. If the primary sponsor plans to be absent for a continuous period of more than 3 months, an interim sponsor must be named by the institution and approved in writing by NCI.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (F32)

F-33

Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA for Senior Fellows
To provide opportunities for experienced scientists to make major changes in the direction of research careers, to broaden scientific background, to acquire new research capabilities, to enlarge command of an allied research field, or to take time from regular professional responsibilities for the purpose of increasing capabilities to engage in health-related research.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (F33)

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K-01

Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training
For support of a scientist, committed to research, in need of both advanced research training and additional experience.
NIH Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K01)

K-05

Established Investigator Award in Cancer Prevention and Control
For the support of a research scientist qualified to pursue independent research which would extend the research program of the sponsoring institution, or to direct an essential part of this research program.
NCI Guidelines

K-07

Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral Sciences, and Population Sciences Career Development Award
To create and encourage a stimulating approach to disease curricula that will attract high quality students, foster academic career development of promising young teacher-investigators, develop and implement excellent multidisciplinary curricula through interchange of ideas and enable the grantee institution to strengthen its existing teaching program.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K07)

K-08

Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award
To provide the opportunity for promising medical scientists with demonstrated aptitude to develop into independent investigators, or for faculty members to pursue research aspects of categorical areas applicable to the awarding unit, and aid in filling the academic faculty gap in these shortage areas within health profession's institutions of the country.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K08)

K-12

Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology
For support to a newly trained clinician appointed by an institution for development of independent research skills and experience in a fundamental science within the framework of an interdisciplinary research and development program.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K12)

K-18

The Career Enhancement Award
Provides either full-time or part-time support for experienced scientists who wish to broaden their scientific capabilities or to make changes in their research careers by acquiring new research skills or knowledge. Career enhancement experiences supported by this award should usually last no more than one year.

K-22

The Transition Career Development Award
The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) supports mentored, non-independent investigators ready to transition to independent academic faculty positions.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K22)

K-23

Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award
To provide support for the career development of investigators who have made a commitment of focus their research endeavors on patient-oriented research. This mechanism provides support for a 3 year minimum up to 5 year period of supervised study and research for clinically trained professionals who have the potential to develop into productive, clinical investigators.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K23)

K-24

Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research
To provide support for the clinicians to allow them protected time to devote to patient-oriented research and to act as mentors for beginning clinical investigators.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K24)

K-25

Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award
To engender and foster such activities by supporting the career development of investigators with quantitative scientific and engineering backgrounds outside of biology or medicine who have made a commitment to focus their research endeavors on behavioral and biomedical research (basic or clinical). This mechanism is aimed at research-oriented scientists with experience at the level of junior faculty (e.g., early to mid-levels of assistant professor or research assistant professor ranks). This award provides support for a period of mentored study and research for professionals with such backgrounds who have the potential to integrate their expertise with biomedicine and develop into productive investigators. Examples of quantitative scientific and technical backgrounds outside of biology or medicine considered appropriate for this award include, but are not limited to: mathematics, statistics, computer science, informatics, physics, chemistry, and engineering.

K-99/R-00

The Pathway to Independence Award
The NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) helps outstanding postdoctoral researchers complete needed mentored training and transition in a timely manner to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (K99/R00)

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L-30

Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers
To provide for the repayment of the educational loan debt of qualified health professionals involved in clinical research. Qualified health professionals who contractually agree to conduct qualified clinical research are eligible to apply for this program.
NIH Guidelines

L-32

Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
To provide for the repayment of the educational loan debt of qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds involved in clinical research. Qualified health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds who contractually agree to conduct qualified clinical research are eligible to apply for this program
NIH Guidelines

L-40

Loan Repayment Program for Pediatric Research
To provide for the repayment of the educational loan debt of qualified health professionals involved in research directly related to diseases, disorders, and other conditions in children. Qualified health professionals who contractually agree to conduct qualified pediatric research are eligible to apply for this program.
NIH Guidelines

L-50

Loan Repayment Program for Contraception and Infertility Research
To provide for the repayment of the educational loan debt of qualified health professionals (including graduate students) who contractually agree to commit to conduct qualified contraception and/or infertility research.
NIH Guidelines

L-60

Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities Research
TTo provide for the repayment of the educational loan debt of qualified health professionals involved in minority health and health disparities research, for the purposes of improving minority health and reducing health disparities. Qualified health professionals who contractually agree to conduct qualified minority health disparities research or other health disparities research eligible to apply for this program.
NIH Guidelines

P-01

Research Program Projects
For the support of a broadly based, multidisciplinary, often long-term research program which has a specific major objective or a basic theme. A program project generally involves the organized efforts of relatively large groups, members of which are conducting research projects designed to elucidate the various aspects or components of this objective. Each research project is usually under the leadership of an established investigator. The grant can provide support for certain basic resources used by these groups in the program, including clinical components, the sharing of which facilitates the total research effort. A program project is directed toward a range of problems having a central research focus, in contrast to the usually narrower thrust of the traditional research project. Each project supported through this mechanism should contribute or be directly related to the common theme of the total research effort. These scientifically meritorious projects should demonstrate an essential element of unity and interdependence, i.e., a system of research activities and projects directed toward a well-defined research program goal.
NIH-Program Project/Centers Grants (P Series), Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (P01)

P-20/P-30

Cancer Centers Programs & General Information
Cancer Centers Programs

P-20

Exploratory Grants
To support planning for new programs, expansion or modification of existing resources, and feasibility studies to explore various approaches to the development of interdisciplinary programs that offer potential solutions to problems of special significance to the mission of the NIH. These exploratory studies may lead to specialized or comprehensive centers.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (P20)

P-30

Center Core Grants
To support shared resources and facilities for categorical research by a number of investigators from different disciplines who provide a multidisciplinary approach to a joint research effort or from the same discipline who focus on a common research problem. The core grant is integrated with the center's component projects or program projects, though funded independently from them. This support, by providing more accessible resources, is expected to assure a greater productivity than from the separate projects and program projects.
NCI Office of Cancer Centers, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (P30)

P-41

Biotechnology Resource Grants
To support biotechnology resources available to all qualified investigators without regard to the scientific disciplines or disease orientations of their research activities or specifically directed to a categorical program area.
Comparative Medicine website

P-50

Specialized Center
To support any part of the full range of research and development from very basic to clinical; may involve ancillary supportive activities such as protracted patient care necessary to the primary research or R&D effort. The spectrum of activities comprises a multidisciplinary attack on a specific disease entity or biomedical problem area. These grants differ from program project grants in that they are usually developed in response to an announcement of the programmatic needs of an Institute or Division and subsequently receive continuous attention from its staff. Centers may also serve as regional or national resources for special research purposes.
TRP Translational Research Program, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (P50)

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R-01

Research Project
To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies.
NIH Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R01)

R-03

Small Research Grants
To provide research support specifically limited in time and amount for studies in categorical program areas. Small grants provide flexibility for initiating studies which are generally for preliminary short-term projects and are non-renewable.
NIH Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R03)

R-13

Conference
To support recipient sponsored and directed international, national or regional meetings, conferences and workshops.
NIH Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R13), NCI Support Contacts

R-15

Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA)
Supports small-scale research projects at educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation’s research scientists but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. The goals of the program are to (1) support meritorious research, (2) expose students to research, and (3) strengthen the research environment of the institution. Awards provide limited Direct Costs, plus applicable F&A costs, for periods not to exceed 36 months. This activity code uses multi-year funding authority; however, OER approval is NOT needed prior to an IC using this activity code.
NIH Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R15)

R-18

Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects
To provide support designed to develop, test, and evaluate health service activities, and to foster the application of existing knowledge for the control of categorical diseases.

R-21

Exploratory/Developmental Grants
To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.)
NIH Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R21)

R-24

Resource-Related Research Projects
To support research projects that will enhance the capability of resources to serve biomedical research.

R-25

Cancer Research Education Grants Program
For support to develop and/or implement a program as it relates to a category in one or more of the areas of education, information, training, technical assistance, coordination, or evaluation.
NCI Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R25)

R-33

Exploratory/Developmental Grants Phase II
The R33 award is to provide a second phase for the support for innovative exploratory and development research activities initiated under the R21 mechanism. Although only R21 awardees are generally eligible to apply for R33 support, specific program initiatives may establish eligibility criteria under which applications could be accepted from applicants demonstrating progress equivalent to that expected under R33.
Guidelines? Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R33)

R-34

Planning Grant
To provide support for the initial development of a clinical trial or research project, including the establishment of the research team; the development of tools for data management and oversight of the research; the development of a trial design or experimental research designs and other essential elements of the study or project, such as the protocol, recruitment strategies, procedure manuals and collection of feasibility data.
NIH Guidelines, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R34)

R-35

Outstanding Investigator Award (OIA)
To provide long term support to an experienced investigator with an outstanding record of research productivity. This support is intended to encourage investigators to embark on long-term projects of unusual potential.

R-36

Dissertation Award
To support dissertation research costs of students in accredited research doctoral programs in the United States (including Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories or possessions). Dissertation awards are not renewable.

R-37

Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award
To provide long-term grant support to investigators whose research competence and productivity are distinctly superior and who are highly likely to continue to perform in an outstanding manner. Investigators may not apply for a MERIT award. Program staff and/or members of the cognizant National Advisory Council/Board will identify candidates for the MERIT award during the course of review of competing research grant applications prepared and submitted in accordance with regular PHS requirements.

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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs
The NIH welcomes grant applications from small businesses in any biomedical or behavioral research area as described in the solicitations below. Support under the SBIR program is normally provided for 6 months/$100,000 for Phase I, and 2 years/$500,000 for Phase II. However, applicants may propose longer periods of time and greater amounts of funds necessary for completion of the project.
NIH SBIR/STTR, New to SBIT/STTR - Where To Start

R-41

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase I
To support cooperative R&D projects between small business concerns and research institutions, limited in time and amount, to establish the technical merit and feasibility of ideas that have potential for commercialization. Awards are made to small business concerns only.
NCI-SBIR Development Center, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R41), Advice and Information on SBIR and STTR Programs

R-42

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase II
To support in - depth development of cooperative R&D projects between small business concerns and research institutions, limited in time and amount, whose feasibility has been established in Phase I and that have potential for commercialization. Awards are made to small business concerns only.
NCI-SBIR Development Center, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R42), Advice and Information on SBIR and STTR Programs

R-43

Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I
To support projects, limited in time and amount, to establish the technical merit and feasibility of R&D ideas which may ultimately lead to a commercial product(s) or service(s).
NCI-SBIR Development Center, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R43), Advice and Information on SBIR and STTR Programs

R-44

Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II
To support in - depth development of R&D ideas whose feasibility has been established in Phase I and which are likely to result in commercial products or services. SBIR Phase II are considered “Fast-Track” and do not require National Council Review.
NCI-SBIR Development Center, Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R44), Advice and Information on SBIR and STTR Programs

R-50

Research Specialist Award
The Research Specialist Award is designed to encourage the development of stable research career opportunities for exceptional scientists who want to pursue research within the context of an existing research program, but not serve as Principal Investigators. The Award is intended to provide desirable salaries and sufficient autonomy so that individuals are not solely dependent on grants held by Principal Investigators for career continuity.
NIH Guidelines Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (R50)

R-55

James A. Shannon Director's Award
To provide a limited award to investigators to further develop, test, and refine research techniques; perform secondary analysis of available data sets; test the feasibility of innovative and creative approaches; and conduct other discrete projects that can demonstrate their research capabilities and lend additional weight to their already meritorious applications.

R-56

High Priority, Short-Term Project Award
To provide limited interim research support based on the merit of a pending R01 application while applicant gathers additional data to revise a new or competing renewal application. This grant will underwrite highly meritorious applications that if given the opportunity to revise their application could meet IC recommended standards and would be missed opportunities if not funded. Interim funded ends when the applicant succeeds in obtaining an R01 or other competing award built on the R56 grant. These awards are not renewable.

RC-1

NIH Challenge Grants and Partnerships Program
NIH Challenge Grants in Health and Science Research.
NIH Grants & Funding/About Grants

RC-2

High Impact Research and Research Infrastructure Programs
To support high impact ideas that may lay the foundation for new fields of investigation; accelerate breakthroughs; stimulate early and applied research on cutting-edge technologies; foster new approaches to improve the interactions among multi- and interdisciplinary research teams; or, advance the research enterprise in a way that could stimulate future growth and investments and advance public health and health care delivery. This activity code could support either a specific research question or propose the creation of a unique infrastructure/resource designed to accelerate scientific progress in the future.

S-06

Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS)
To strengthen the biomedical research and research training capability of ethnic minority institutions, and thus establish a more favorable milieu for increasing the involvement of minority faculty and students in biomedical research.

S-21

Research and Institutional Resources Health Disparities Endowment Grants - Capacity Building
To strengthen the research and training infrastructure of the institution, while addressing current and emerging needs in minority health and other health disparities research.

SC-1

Research Enhancement Award
The SC1 Research Enhancement Awards provide support for individual investigator-initiated research projects aimed at developing researchers at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to a stage where they can transition successfully to others extramural support (R01 or equivalent).
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (SC1)

SC-2

Pilot Research Project
The SC2 Pilot Research Project grants provide support for individual investigator-initiated pilot research projects for faculty at MSIs to generate preliminary data for a more ambitious research project.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (SC2)

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TU-2

Institutional National Research Service Award with Involvement of NIH Intramural Faculty
The cooperative agreement counterpart to the T32, this award enables institutions to provide research-training experiences for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists in specified shortage areas. In addition, these awards involve identified NIH Intramural Staff who serve as a part of the training faculty and participate in the operation of the training program.

T-15

Continuing Education Training Program
To assist professional schools and other public and nonprofit institutions to establish, expand, or improve programs of continuing professional education, especially for programs of extensive continuation, extension, or refresher education dealing with new developments in the science of technology of the profession.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (T15)

T-32

Institutional National Research Service Award
To enable institutions to make National Research Service Awards to individuals selected by them for predoctoral and postdoctoral research training in specified shortage areas.

Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (T32), NCI Supplemental Policy
Supplemental Guidelines [03/02]

T-34

Undergraduate NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants
To enhance the undergraduate research training of individuals from groups underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences through Institutional National Research Service Award Training Grants, in preparation for research doctorate degree programs.

U-01

Research Project--Cooperative Agreements
To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his specific interest and competencies.

Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (U01)

U-10

Cooperative Clinical Research--Cooperative Agreements
To support clinical evaluation of various methods of therapy and/or prevention in specific disease areas. These represent cooperative programs between sponsoring institutions and participating principal investigators, and are usually conducted under established protocols.

Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (U10)

U-13

Conference--Cooperative Agreements
To support international, national or regional meetings, conferences and workshops where substantial programmatic involvement is planned to assist the recipient.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (U13)

U-19

Research Program--Cooperative Agreements
To support a research program of multiple projects directed toward a specific major objective, basic theme or program goal, requiring a broadly based, multidisciplinary and often long-term approach. A cooperative agreement research program generally involves the organized efforts of large groups, members of which are conducting research projects designed to elucidate the various aspects of a specific objective. Substantial Federal programmatic staff involvement is intended to assist investigators during performance of the research activities, as defined in the terms and conditions of award. The investigators have primary authorities and responsibilities to define research objectives and approaches, and to plan, conduct, analyze, and publish results, interpretations and conclusions of their studies. Each research project is usually under the leadership of an established investigator in an area representing his/her special interest and competencies. Each project supported through this mechanism should contribute to or be directly related to the common theme of the total research effort. The award can provide support for certain basic shared resources, including clinical components, which facilitate the total research effort. These scientifically meritorious projects should demonstrate an essential element of unity and interdependence.

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U-24

Resource-Related Research Projects--Cooperative Agreements
To support research projects contributing to improvement of the capability of resources to serve biomedical research.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (U24)

U-42

Animal (Mammalian and Nonmammalian) Model, and Animal and Biological Materials Resource Cooperative Agreements
To develop and support animal (mammalian and nonmammalian) model, or animal or biological materials resources available to all qualified investigators without regard to the scientific disciplines or disease orientations of their research activities or specifically directed to a categorical program. Nonmammalian resources include nonmammalian vertebrates, invertebrates, cell systems, and nonbiological systems.

U-43

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Cooperative Agreements - Phase I
To support projects, limited in time and amount, to establish the technical merit and feasibility of R&D ideas that may ultimately lead to commercial products or services.

U-44

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Cooperative Agreements - Phase II
To support in-depth development of R&D ideas whose feasibility has been established in Phase I and that are likely to result in commercial products or services.

U-54

Specialized Center-Cooperative Agreements
To support any part of the full range of research and development from very basic to clinical; may involve ancillary supportive activities such as protracted patient care necessary to the primary research or R&D effort. The spectrum of activities comprises a multidisciplinary attack on a specific disease entity or biomedical problem area. These differ from program project in that they are usually developed in response to an announcement of the programmatic needs of an Institute or Division and subsequently receive continuous attention from its staff. Centers may also serve as regional or national resources for special research purposes, with funding component staff helping to identify appropriate priority needs.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (U54)

U-56

Exploratory Grants--Cooperative Agreements
To support planning for new programs, expansion or modification of existing resources, and feasibility studies to explore various approaches to the development of interdisciplinary programs that offer potential solutions to problems of special significance to the mission of the NIH. These exploratory studies may lead to specialized or comprehensive centers. Substantial Federal programmatic staff involvement is intended to assist investigators during performance of the research activities, as defined in the terms and conditions of award.

UH-2

Exploratory/Developmental Cooperative Agreement Phase I
To support the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.)
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (UH2)

UM-1

Research Project with Complex Structure Cooperative Agreement
To support cooperative agreements involving large-scale research activities with complicated structures that cannot be appropriately categorized into an available single component activity code, e.g. clinical networks, research programs or consortium. The components represent a variety of supporting functions and are not independent of each component. Substantial federal programmatic staff involvement is intended to assist investigators during performance of the research activities, as defined in the terms and conditions of the award. The performance period may extend up to seven years but only through the established deviation request process. ICs desiring to use this activity code for programs greater than 5 years must receive OPERA prior approval through the deviation request process.

X-01

Resource Access Program
A Program to invite eligible institutions to seek access to NIH research resources. This includes programs where institutions will request access to submit to the resource, e.g., high throughput screening assays. It also includes programs where access to a specific NIH research resource is needed to conduct certain research.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (X01)

X-02

Preapplication
A program to invite eligible institutions to submit a pre-application (also known as a “white paper” or “précis”) to facilitate certain approaches or economies, such as reducing burden on the applicant community, for a funding opportunity.
Current and Recent NCI and Trans-NIH Initiatives (X02)

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