National Institutes of Health · Department of Health and Human Services
Pilot Projects Investigating Understudied Proteins Associated with Rare Diseases (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Nov 16, 2027 · 405 days left
- Award size
- Up to $100K
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- State government, Tribal organization, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), School district, Tribal government, Larger business, Small business, County government, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), Special district (utility, fire, etc.), City or town government, Public college or university, Private college or university, and others named in the official notice
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No match required
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 590
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/80ed650a-d7bf-413c-b122-95c1fa1a8bde · Printed from grantme.click/grants/70573f25-9668-4425-816e-e0a68b4ab908
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
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About this grant
The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to solicit applications for pilot projects to elucidate a role for understudied proteins in rare disease. Awards will support generation of preliminary data and/or tools around eligible understudied protein(s). A list of eligible proteins is provided and are members of druggable protein families that have a known association with a rare disease. This NOFO is intended to jumpstart research on understudied proteins that are associated with rare diseases and provide applicants with sufficient funding to perform basic biochemical and/or biological work to further the characterization of understudied proteins within the context of rare disease.
Who can apply, from the official notice
Other Eligible Applicants include the following:
Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.
Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Oct26
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Nov9
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Nov14
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Nov16
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
See how others wrote it
The agency posted this example. Read them for structure and level of detail. Don't copy their words: funders treat copied text as plagiarism, and requirements change from year to year, so follow the current notice.
- NIH research, career, fellowship and small-business grants (R01, R03, R15, R21, R21/R33, R41-R44, K01, K08, K23, F31, G11, U01)
Funded applications with reviewer comments
46 full funded applications and 49 reviewer summary statements (PDF), plus sample forms and letters · Link checked Oct 7, 2026
Who in Tennessee has won this program
143 awards to Tennessee groups in 4 counties since 1989. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $118.6M | 2017 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $63.8M spent that year | 2025 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, Shelby County | $43.7M | 2019 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $43M | 2020 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $38.1M | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $33.3M | 2011 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $32.8M | 2007 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $31.4M | 2016 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $24.7M spent that year | 2025 |
| University of Tennessee | Memphis, Shelby County | $21.8M | 2019 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $20.9M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $19.9M | 2023 |
Source: USAspending.gov, Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
Tennessee groups that got this money through Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
This federal money also reaches local groups as pass-through grants. In Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services passes it on: watch that agency for applications, not the federal agency. 447 pass-through grants on file. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Through | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $2.8M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Washington University, the | $2.8M | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Washington University | $2.1M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | The Johns Hopkins University | $2M | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | $2M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Vumc | $1.9M spent that year | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $1.8M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Duke Clinical Research Institute | $1.7M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Yale Univ | $1.6M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | The Trustees of Princeton University | $1.6M | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | The Johns Hopkins University | $1.5M | 2023 |
| Ut-Battelle LLC | Oak Ridge | Georgetown University | $1.4M | 2024 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).
About the federal program
Oral Diseases and Disorders Research, also called “Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research.”
Program number 93.121 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Cooperative agreement (a grant with close agency involvement), project grant
How applications are judged
The primary criteria for evaluating grant applications include assessment of: (1) the scientific merit, significance and overall impact of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the competency of the proposed investigator(s) to successfully pursue the project; (3) the innovation and novelty of the concepts, approaches, or methodologies; (4) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (5) the adequacy of the available proposed facilities and resources; (6) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (7) the relevance and importance to the posted institute program objectives. Also evaluated, where applicable, but not scored are: (1) protections for human subjects; (2) inclusion of women, minorities, and children; (3) vertebrate animal welfare; and (4) adequate protection of research personnel and/or the environment, biosafety, biocontainment and the security of select agents; (5) resource sharing plans; (6) authentication of key biological and/or chemical resources, (7) budget and period of support. In addition, the following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: the potential of the proposed research for commercial application. Phase II grant applications will reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of...
Match
None required (federal program listing).
About the federal program
Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders
Program number 93.173 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Project grant
How applications are judged
The major elements in evaluating applications include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the environment and available resources for the proposed project; (5) the necessity of budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives; (7) innovation; (8) risk to human subjects, including inclusion of minorities, inclusion across the lifespan, and animal protection. The following additional criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR grant applications: (1) The technological innovation of the proposed research; (2) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
About the federal program
Mental Health Research Grants
Program number 93.242 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Cooperative agreement (a grant with close agency involvement), project grant, training
How applications are judged
The following consideration will be used in determining projects to be funded: (1) Technical merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review; (2) Availability of funds; and (3) Relevance to program priorities.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
About the federal program
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, also called “NCATS”
Program number 93.350 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Cooperative agreement (a grant with close agency involvement)
How applications are judged
The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives and (7) the availability of funds.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
About the federal program
Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders
Program number 93.853 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Project grant
How applications are judged
The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) the soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) the degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...
Match
None required (federal program listing).
About the federal program
Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research, also called “National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases”
Program number 93.855 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health · Project grant
How applications are judged
The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...
Match
None required (federal program listing).