Understand Funding Opportunities

Scope Note

NIH advertises availability of grant support through notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) — previously referred to as funding opportunity announcements (FOAs).

Find and Evaluate NIH Funding Opportunities

Keep these points in mind when you choose a funding opportunity.

Learn to search for funding opportunities:

You must submit applications in response to a specific funding opportunity.

  • Use the instructions in the funding opportunity in conjunction with the How to Apply - Application Guide to prepare your application. If instructions conflict, follow the hierarchy listed at Write Application.
  • To access and complete fillable application forms, you must use one of the Submission Options (ASSIST, institutional system-to-system solution, Workspace). There is not a generic application form package that can be downloaded and submitted to NIH.

When you evaluate an opportunity notice:

  • Pay particular attention to the opportunity’s review criteria and write your application with these criteria in mind.
  • Make sure that the NIH institute, center, or office (ICO) that might be interested in your research is listed as a participating organization in the funding opportunity or notice of special interest (NOSI).
  • Read the opportunity carefully for any opportunity-specific requirements.
  • Some opportunities allow only certain Types of Applications, such as new, renewal, or competing revision.
  • If your application includes a clinical trial, you must choose a funding opportunity that allows clinical trials. (This is true even if other studies on the same application are not clinical trials.) Learn more about Clinical Trial-Specific Funding Opportunities.

After you choose a funding opportunity and before you submit an application:

  • We encourage you to contact NIH scientific/program staff listed in the funding opportunity to discuss your application.
  • Return to the funding opportunity to check the Related Notices section for any updates. Ensure you are in line with the most recent guidance.

Pay attention to notices posted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.

  • Notices may highlight topics of special interest to NIH or update key aspects of funding opportunities.
  • Guidance included in notices supersedes guidance in the funding opportunity and application guide.
Reference

Take a tour of an Annotated Opportunity Notice for more tips and key information.

Types of Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)

Type of NOFO Description
Parent Announcements
Program Announcements (PAs)
  • Funding opportunities issued by one or more NIH ICOs to highlight areas of scientific interest.
  • Encourage applications for a new or ongoing program
  • Usually ongoing; issued every 3 years.
  • Follow Standard Due Dates.
  • Types of PA:
    • PAS: with set-aside funds
    • PAR: special receipt, referral, and/or review considerations
  • Note: There is growing use of Notices of Special Interest (NOSIs), rather than topic-specific PAs, to highlight areas of scientific interest. NOSIs designate existing funding opportunities to use for application submission.
Requests for Applications (RFA)
  • Funding opportunities issued by one or more ICOs to highlight well-defined areas of scientific interest to accomplish specific program objectives. (Make sure the science you are proposing fits the scope of the RFA!)
  • Indicate the amount of set-aside funds.
  • Indicate anticipated number of awards.
  • Usually have a single due date.
  • The sponsoring ICOs usually convene the review panel.

Notice Numbering System

  • PA Numbering (e.g., PA-24-008): Indicates a PA issued in 2024 or for funding in 2024 (24) with an associated serial number (008).
  • RFA Numbering (e.g., RFA-HL-24-004): Indicates an RFA issued by NHLBI (HL) in 2024 or for funding in 2024 (24) with an associated serial number (004).
  • Notice Numbering (e.g., NOT-OD-24-015): Indicates a Notice issued by the Office of the Director (OD) in fiscal year 2024 (24) with an associated serial number (015).

FAQs

Resources

Upcoming Events

    Videos


      This page last updated on: September 4, 2024
      For technical issues E-mail OER Webmaster