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NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)
Summary
NCMRR Early Career Research Award (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)
Research Focus
The National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) Early Career Research Award (R03) supports early-stage independent researchers conducting basic and clinical research in rehabilitation science. The program targets pathophysiology and management of chronically injured nervous and musculoskeletal systems—including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and orthopedic conditions—as well as repair and recovery of motor function, functional plasticity, rehabilitative strategies (pharmaceutical, stimulation, neuroengineering, exercise, motor training, behavioral modification), pediatric rehabilitation, secondary conditions in chronic disabilities, diagnostic and outcome assessment tools, and development of orthotics, prosthetics, and assistive technologies.
Projects may be technology design-directed, discovery-driven, or hypothesis-driven. The primary goal is collecting preliminary data sufficient to support a subsequent R01 application. Preliminary data are not required. Clinical trial applications are optional but must be early-stage (Phase I, first-in-human, safety, feasibility) rather than Phase II–IV or efficacy-focused trials. Applicants proposing clinical research are encouraged to use common data elements (CDEs) and share data via the NICHD DASH Center.
A mandatory 1-page Plan for Inclusion of People with Lived Experience must accompany all applications or the submission will be withdrawn.
At a Glance
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Who can apply: Higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, state/local/federal governments, tribal governments, and foreign organizations. PD/PI must be establishing an independent research career in rehabilitation science.
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Funding & project length: Up to $200,000 total direct costs (max $100,000 per year); 2-year maximum project period.
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Award mechanism: R03 Small Grant Program (New or Resubmission applications).
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Key dates: Open January 16, 2025. Multiple submission deadlines (February 16, June 16, October 16 of 2025–2027). Earliest start dates range December 2025–July 2028 depending on submission cycle.
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Best fit for: Rehabilitation scientists (basic or clinical) in early career stages seeking to generate preliminary data in motor recovery, neuroengineering, assistive technology, or disability-related secondary conditions; hypothesis-driven or descriptive projects with milestone-based scope.
Key Facts
Deadline
Fri, January 7, 2028
Posted
Mon, November 18, 2024
Award / Year (direct costs)
$100,000
Max Total
$200,000
Max Duration
2 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (5)
Plan for Inclusion of People with Lived Experience is mandatory and application will be withdrawn prior to review if missing
95%
Source Text
“A 1-page attachment titled Plan for Inclusion of People with Lived Experience must be included with the application or the application will be withdrawn prior to review.”
NCMRR will only support early-stage clinical trials (Phase I, first-in-human, safety, feasibility); Phase II, III, IV, pivotal trials, or efficacy/effectiveness trials are not supported
98%
Source Text
“For applications submitted to this NOFO that propose clinical trials, NCMRR will only support applications proposing early stage clinical trials through Phase I, first-in-human, safety, feasibility, or other small clinical trials that inform the early stage technology development in the submitted application. NCMRR will not support applications proposing Phase II, III, IV or pivotal clinical trials, or trials in which the primary outcome is efficacy, effectiveness, or a post-market concern.”
Three specific non-responsive topics will be withdrawn prior to review: cognitive rehabilitation without physical component, sports medicine for able-bodied athletes, and animal disease models
98%
Source Text
“Non-Responsive Applications: The following topics are non-responsive and will be withdrawn prior to review: Projects focusing on cognitive rehabilitation without a physical rehabilitation component; Sports medicine rehabilitation for people without physical disabilities (i.e. Projects targeting indications for sports or athletic performance by able-bodied athletes; treatment, recovery and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise by people without physical disabilities.); Development”
R03 projects are explicitly not expected to 'move the field forward' and may be less immediately impactful than typical R01 projects
85%
Source Text
“Given that the goal is to collect preliminary data, R03 projects may be less immediately impactful or significant compared to the typical R01 or other NIH-funded projects. It is not an expectation that this R03 project will likely "move the field forward" at this stage.”
Applicants strongly encouraged to contact program officer in advance to ensure compliance with new NIH human subjects and clinical trials policies
85%
Source Text
“Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Scientific/Research contact for this NOFO for guidance in advance of submitting an application to ensure their proposed project is in compliance with new NIH human subjects research and clinical trials policies (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/clinical-trials.htm) and consistent with the types of clinical trial projects that NCMRR supports.”