NIDCR Small Grant Program for New Investigators (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

PAR-25-105

The NIDCR Small Grant Program for New Investigators (R03) is intended to support New Investigators who are establishing independence in the areas of dental, oral and craniofacial research. A New Investigator is defined as an applicant who has not previously competed successfully as a PD/PI for a substantial independent NIH research award (R01 or R01-equivalent). Applications are invited from New Investigators whose proposed research addresses strategic priorities described in the NIDCR Strategic Plan. The NIDCR mission is dedicated to advancing knowledge of dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease through fundamental discoveries and the clinical and population-based application of these discoveries. Detailed information regarding scientific areas of interest and programs can be found on the NIDCR website.

The NIDCR Small Grant Program for New Investigators (R03) is intended to support research projects in basic science and clinical, behavioral, and population science areas. The focus on establishment of independent career stage presents an opportunity to build a robust pipeline of investigators. This program will support small pilot or feasibility studies and developmental research projects with the intention of obtaining enough preliminary data to support the subsequent submission of a competitive investigator-initiated R01 or R01-equivalent research application. The R03 is not intended to sustain research careers; rather, it is expected that New Investigators will use this award to provide a foundation to facilitate future success in achieving long term R01 or equivalent grant funding. Although this NOFO is limited to New Investigators, NIDCR participates in other topic-specific NOFOs for R03s which are not limited to New Investigators. For a complete listing of currently active NOFOs, please visit the NIDCR website on grants and funding. Note that NIDCR does not participate in the NIH parent NOFO for R03 applications.

This NOFO does not support clinical trials in any phase or biomarker validation studies. Applications that propose research in basic, clinical, and behavioral topics outside the NIH definition of clinical trials are included in this program. 

Applicants proposing clinical trials are directed to the NIDCR Clinical Trials Program that uses the UG3/UH3 funding activities. Examples of behavioral-social projects supported by this NOFO include, but are not limited to, those that strive to identify potential causal mechanisms that drive healthier dental, oral, and craniofacial-related behaviors that could be reinforced through interventions and/or to generate causal-related hypotheses that, when targeted through an intervention, could affect more profound healthier behaviors. Causal mechanisms may be behavioral, biological, psychological, social, and/or biopsychosocial-neuroimmunological studies. 

Requirements of the NIDCR New Investigator R03 application:

• Additional eligibility criteria: Individuals who have received R21 or R56 awards from any NIH Institute or Center are not eligible for this NOFO. Individuals who have already received two NIDCR Small Grants (R03) are not eligible. (See Section III, Part1)
• R&R or Modular Budget: NIDCR requires that each Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) MUST commit a minimum of 2.4 person months per year to the R03 project. All PD/PIs of an MPD/MPI application MUST each commit 2.4 person months per year to the R03 project. (See Section IV, Part 2)
• Specific Aims and Research Strategy: Future Research Plans section MUST be included summarizing conceptual framework for a subsequent R01 and how the proposed research project will be used to develop an R01 or R01-equivalent application. (See Section IV, Part 2)
• Letters of Support: At least one letter of support from the applicant institution (for e.g., from the Dean or Department Chair) is required. The letter(s) should describe the nature of the PD/PI’s appointment, tenure track or equivalent research independence, and institutional commitments to the PD/PI, such as laboratory space, office space, available resources, technical assistance, and travel funds.
  • If the PD/PI is in a mentored postdoctoral or research position in his/her mentor's laboratory, the letter(s) of support MUST state a clear commitment to the provision of laboratory space, a clear indication that a transition to a tenure track or independent research-protected position is in place, and that the research project is transferable to another institution/organization.  This transition to independent research (not directly mentored) is expected to be completed within 6 months following the start date of the R03. (See Section IV Part 2)

A budget for direct costs of up to $200,000 may be requested. Application budgets are limited to $100,000 in direct costs per year.

Not Required

February 16, 2025; June 16, 2025; October 16, 2025

Scott Verbridge, PhD
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Telephone: 301-594-0676
Email: scott.verbridge@nih.gov