NICHD Small Research Grant Program (R03 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is accepting applications for the Small Research Grant Program (R03 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required). This funding opportunity supports basic science experimental studies involving human participants, referred to as Basic Experimental Studies with Humans (BESH). These studies must meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial and aim to understand fundamental biomedical or behavioral phenomena without immediate application to products or processes. Grants have a maximum award of $50,000 and do not require cost-sharing. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities, such as city and state governments, nonprofits, higher education institutions, small businesses, tribal organizations, and foreign entities. Applications will be accepted until January 7, 2028. Projects must prospectively assign human participants to conditions to experimentally manipulate variables and assess outcomes. These studies should align with NICHD’s mission and adhere to NIH’s requirements for BESH. Researchers are encouraged to review guidelines outlined in NIH notice NOT-OD-18-212 for further details.