Highlighted Topics

Consider NIH’s centralized list of highlighted topics for your next investigator-initiated grant application. Each topic represents a selected research priority area within one or more NIH Institutes, Centers, or Offices (ICOs) that may or may not have dedicated funding. How to use these topics:

• Apply through an appropriate funding opportunity, such as NIH Parent Funding Announcement or other broad NIH opportunities on Grants.gov.
• Reach out early to the appropriate scientific contacts to discuss how your research idea may align with the topics, appropriate parent funding opportunities, and other questions related to your application.
• If an ICO opts to dedicate funding to particular topics, the amount of funding awarded will depend on the availability of funds, the number of meritorious applications, and competing ICO priorities.
• Applying in a Highlighted Topic area will not affect NIH referral or review of applications.
• NIH supports many types of research beyond the highlighted topics listed below.
  • Check the NIH ICO Profiles for scientific mission areas, priorities, and opportunities.
  • Explore NIH Grant Opportunities.

Check the list regularly and consider subscribing for email alerts as new topics are added in the coming months and beyond. Read more in the Highlighted Topics FAQs and in the August 2025 NIH Extramural Nexus article.