Science-Driven Research Project (RP1)

An award made to support a research project or research program in an area representing a PD/PI’s specific interest and competencies.

Alert: No NIH awards using this activity code have been made for five or more years.

Purpose

Supports both standard and exploratory research projects. Exploratory projects include those that are in early and conceptual stages and may involve considerable risk that has the potential to lead to a breakthrough or major development in a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. 

Special Considerations

Are you an early stage investigator (ESI)?

If all the PD/PIs on an RP1 application have ESI status on the date an application is submitted, the application will be flagged as ESI and will receive special consideration during the review and funding process. See Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Policies to learn more.

ESIs are encouraged to apply for standard research projects when appropriate for the proposed research. Regardless of the type of application submitted (standard or exploratory), PD/PIs will not maintain their ESI status upon receipt of an RP1 award.

Award Information

  • Funding Instrument: Grant
  • Funding Category: Research and Development
  • Budget Mechanism Code: RP - Research Projects

Application and Submission Information

Section IV. Application and Submission Information of an RP1 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) describes the application options (exploratory, standard, and extended in cases when project periods greater than 5 years are allowed) and their associated project period, budget, and research strategy page limits.

 

Contact

  • Your organization's sponsored programs office or grants administrators can answer many internal and agency policy and process questions.
  • Understand NIH Staff Roles details how and when to find the right NIH contacts:
    • Before you apply, check your chosen funding opportunity for application submission, scientific/research, peer review, and financial/grants management contacts.  
    • After you apply, find NIH staff assignments in the Status module of eRA Commons.
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