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NIH Planning Grant Program (R34)

Introduction

The NIH Planning Grant Program (R34) provides support for the initial development of a clinical trial or research project. This program may support:

  • establishment of the research team,
  • development of tools for data management and research oversight
  • development of a trial design or experimental research designs 
  • finalization of the protocol
  • preparation of an operations/procedures manual
  • pilot studies or collection of feasibility data for subsequent research projects*

*When used as a planning grant for clinical trials, this program is not designed for the collection of preliminary data or the conduct of pilot studies to support the rationale for a clinical trial.

R34 Characteristics
  • Renewal applications not allowed
  • Project period limited to 3 years
  • Direct costs limited to $225,000 per year and $450,000 over the 3-year project period
  • Modular budgets required except for applications from foreign institutions
  • Funding opportunity should define outcomes to be achieved by the end of the project period
  • For a list of institutes and centers participating in the R34 program, see your funding opportunity.

For clinical trials, the planning grant is designed to:

  • permit early peer review of the rationale and concept for the proposed clinical trial;
  • support development of essential elements of a clinical trial
  • lead to an application for support of a full-scale trial, based on elements developed under the planning period

Due Dates

Standard receipt dates are February 16June 16, and October 16. AIDS and AIDS-related grant application due dates are May 7, September 7, and January 7. For additional information, the receipt, review and award cycle schedules are posted on standard due dates.

Related Activity Codes
  • U34 Planning Cooperative Agreement
  • P20 Exploratory Grant (multicomponent)

Active Funding Opportunities