Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Human Required) | PAR 24 076

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 076

The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (PAR-24-076) is an NIH R01 funding opportunity designed specifically for early stage investigators who want to pursue an innovative project that represents a clear change in their research direction. A defining feature of this program is that it is meant to support a fresh line of work where preliminary results do not yet exist. Because of that, applications submitted under this NOFO must not include any preliminary data. Reviewers are expected to evaluate the idea, its rationale, and the approach without relying on prior supporting datasets, so the proposal needs to stand on the strength of its conceptual foundation and experimental plan.

A required part of the application is a separate attachment that explains the applicant's change in research direction. In practical terms, this attachment is where the investigator makes the case that the project is meaningfully different from their prior work, why the shift is important, and how their background positions them to succeed even though the research direction is new. The project itself must align with the scientific mission and programmatic interests of at least one of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers, so applicants need to pay attention to fit and communicate that fit clearly.

This specific Katz ESI R01 NOFO is intended for basic science experimental studies involving humans. NIH classifies these as "prospective basic science studies involving human participants" (as referenced in NOT-OD-18-212). These studies meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial because they involve prospective assignment of human participants to conditions, but they also meet the definition of basic research because the goal is fundamental understanding rather than immediate practical application. In other words, the research typically involves experimentally manipulating one or more independent variables in human participants and measuring biomedical or behavioral outcomes to learn about underlying mechanisms, processes, or phenomena, without being aimed at developing a specific product, intervention, or applied clinical protocol.

The NOFO also clarifies what should not be submitted here. If a study is not being conducted with specific applications toward processes or products in mind and it also does not meet NIH's clinical trial definition, it should be submitted to an NIH opportunity that is "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" rather than this one. This is an important boundary because NIH routes applications differently depending on whether they qualify as a clinical trial, even when the work is basic rather than applied.

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad and includes many types of domestic entities, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as public housing authorities and eligible tribal governments and tribal organizations. The NOFO also explicitly highlights categories of "other eligible applicants" such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are key restrictions involving foreign entities. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed under NIH policy as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant may include certain collaborations or elements performed abroad if they are justified and meet NIH requirements.

Administrative details provided in the source include that the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, the instrument is a grant under the R01 activity, and the opportunity falls under multiple CFDA numbers (93.273, 93.279, 93.361, 93.393, 93.398, 93.846, 93.847, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting participation across different NIH Institutes and Centers. The opportunity was created on 2023-12-21, and the listed original closing date is 2026-12-28. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, so applicants would typically look to the NOFO text and participating Institute guidance for budget expectations, institute-specific policies, and any limits or preferences.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Human Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273, 93.279, 93.361, 93.393, 93.398, 93.846, 93.847, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-12-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 24 076

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