Comparison of R01, R03, R21, & R15 Mechanisms
Page Content
The table below shows key features of the various mechanisms for supporting investigator-initiated research.
| Award Mechanism |
R01 |
R03 |
R21 |
R15 |
|---|
| Title |
Research Project Grant |
NIH Small Grant Program (R03) |
NIH Exploratory / Development Grant Award (R21) |
Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) |
|---|
| Parent Announcement No. |
PA-11-260 |
PA-11-262 |
PA-11-261 |
PA-12-006 |
|---|
| Scope & Purpose |
Supports discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator in an area representing his/her specific interests and competencies |
Supports: - Pilot or feasibility studies
- Secondary analysis of existing data
- Small, self-contained research projects
- Development of research methodology
- Development of new research technology
- Does not require preliminary data
|
Supports: - New, exploratory or developmental research projects in early stages of development
- May involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough
- Supports development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, model, or applications
- Breaks new ground or extends previous discoveries in new directions or for new applications
- Does not require preliminary data
|
- Stimulates research in institutions that have not been major recipients of NIH support
- Supports small-scale health-related research projects by faculty members of eligible domestic institutions
|
|---|
| Length of Award |
Up to 5 years |
Up to 2 years |
Up to 2 years |
Up to 3 years |
|---|
Allowable Costs
(Direct Costs) |
Requires advance permission for $500,000 or more in any year |
Up to $50,000 per year |
Total not to exceed $275,000 for entire period |
Up to $300,000 for entire 3-year period |
|---|
Renewability /
Restrictions |
Competing continuation (Type 2) applications accepted |
- New applications only; competing continuation (Type 2) applications not allowed
- No-cost extension for 1 year may be allowed
- Follow-up R01 applications are encouraged
- Does not support thesis research
|
- New applications only; competing continuation (Type 2) applications not allowed
- Follow-up R01 applications are encouraged
|
- Competing continuation (Type 2) applications accepted
- May not be the PD/PI of any active NIH research grant at the time of award of an AREA grant
- May not be awarded more than one AREA grant at a time
|
|---|
| Locus of review |
CSR for non-RFA |
NICHD |
CSR for non-RFA |
CSR for non-RFA |
|---|
Last Updated Date: 02/06/2013