NIAID and NIDDK Research Opportunities for New and "At-Risk" Investigators to Promote Workforce Diversity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 23 275

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 275

This NIH funding opportunity (PAR-23-275) is an R01 grant program run through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Its central goal is to expand and strengthen the biomedical research workforce by supporting investigators from diverse backgrounds, including people from groups that are underrepresented in the health-related sciences. The program is designed to help investigators establish or sustain independent research careers by funding projects that fit squarely within either NIAID or NIDDK mission areas. Clinical trials are allowed but not required, which means applicants can propose basic, translational, clinical, or other human-centered research as long as it aligns with the institute mission and meets NIH rules for the chosen study type.

The NOFO is specifically aimed at two investigator categories. First are New Investigators, meaning researchers who have not yet successfully competed for substantial, independent NIH funding as a program director or principal investigator. Second are "At-Risk" investigators, defined here as researchers who previously held substantial independent research support as a PD/PI but are now in a vulnerable funding position: if they do not secure a substantial research grant in the current fiscal year, they would have no substantial research grant support in the following fiscal year. In practice, the program is trying to prevent talented researchers from being pushed out of independent research due to a gap in funding, while also bringing more new, independent investigators into the pipeline.

The scope of research must fit within NIAID or NIDDK priorities. NIAID broadly covers areas such as infectious and immune-mediated diseases, allergy and immunology, and related public health threats. NIDDK broadly covers diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases, digestive diseases, nutrition-related research within its remit, kidney and urologic diseases, and related complications and conditions. The NOFO does not narrow applicants to a single scientific topic; instead, it emphasizes that the proposed project should be clearly mission-relevant to one of the two institutes.

Eligibility for applicant organizations is broad, reflecting NIH-wide participation rules and an emphasis on inclusive institutional participation. Eligible applicants include many types of U.S.-based entities such as state, county, city, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other eligible entities. The announcement also calls out a number of institution types that are often central to diversity efforts, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also notes eligibility for faith-based or community-based organizations and certain regional organizations, which can be especially relevant for community-engaged or population-focused research where strong local partnerships matter.

On the non-U.S. participation rules, the NOFO draws a clear line. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible to apply, and foreign components are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement. In other words, the lead applicant must be a qualifying (generally U.S.-based) organization, but parts of the work can be carried out internationally when justified and structured according to NIH policy.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under the NIH, with activity category listings in health and food/nutrition-related areas, and CFDA numbers 93.847 and 93.855. The posting lists an original closing date of 2025-09-07. The public summary does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants would typically rely on the detailed NOFO text, institute guidance, and NIH R01 budget policies to understand likely award sizes, project periods, and any institute-specific constraints.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an R01 pathway that combines two priorities: advancing research aligned with NIAID or NIDDK scientific missions, and intentionally supporting career stability and entry into independence for New and At-Risk investigators from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. It is structured to lower the career bottleneck that often occurs at the transition to independence or during funding gaps, while still requiring applicants to propose a strong, peer-review-competitive research project consistent with standard NIH expectations for rigor, feasibility, and impact.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIAID and NIDDK Research Opportunities for New and "At-Risk" Investigators to Promote Workforce Diversity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847, 93.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-07. (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 23 275

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