Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 145

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 145

The Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16, Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen research capacity at eligible colleges and universities by funding investigator-initiated biomedical research projects. It supports a wide range of NIH-relevant science, including basic, social, clinical, behavioral, and translational research, as long as the proposed work fits within NIH mission areas. A key feature of this particular R16 announcement is that clinical trials are not allowed, meaning applicants need to propose research that does not meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial (for example, studies that do not prospectively assign human participants to an intervention to evaluate effects on health-related outcomes).

The program is specifically aimed at helping faculty investigators who are at an earlier stage of independent funding. SuRE-First awards are intended for researchers who have not previously held independent external research grants, with the goal of giving them a meaningful first step into leading a competitively reviewed, externally funded research project. In addition to advancing the investigator’s research trajectory, the program places strong emphasis on training and mentorship through hands-on research experiences for students. Projects are expected to provide substantive, high-quality undergraduate and/or graduate research opportunities that help students build practical research skills, strengthen scientific identity, and prepare for future careers or advanced study in biomedical and health-related fields.

Beyond the individual project, the opportunity is also framed as an institutional capacity-building mechanism. NIH’s stated intent includes enhancing the overall scientific research culture at the applicant institution. In practice, this often means developing or expanding sustainable research activities, strengthening mentoring and supervision structures, increasing student participation in research, and contributing to an environment where research is more visible and better supported. The underlying idea is that a well-designed, student-engaged research project led by a faculty member new to independent funding can have ripple effects that improve research infrastructure, collaboration, and momentum on campus.

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible organizations as permitted by NIH under this announcement. The opportunity explicitly recognizes several categories of serving institutions as eligible applicants, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). These eligibility examples align with the program’s broader capacity-building purpose by encouraging participation from institutions that educate substantial numbers of students from groups historically underrepresented in biomedical research.

There are also clear geographic and organizational restrictions. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. In addition, foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed under this funding opportunity. In effect, the work proposed under the grant must be fully domestic and conducted without foreign components, reinforcing the program’s focus on strengthening research capacity within U.S.-based institutions.

Administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity number PAR-24-145 and an original closing date of January 7, 2027. The award ceiling listed is $125,000, indicating the maximum award amount expected under the opportunity (applicants typically need to design a scope of work that realistically fits within this budget cap). The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is listed under education, environment, food and nutrition, and health, reflecting the broad NIH-aligned scientific domains the program can support. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (now commonly referenced through Assistance Listings), indicating that multiple NIH institutes or program areas may participate or that awards may be made under several NIH assistance listings depending on scientific alignment.

Overall, SuRE-First (R16) is best understood as a starter independent research grant mechanism that combines three goals in one award: launching a faculty investigator’s externally funded research program, embedding robust student research training into the project, and helping eligible institutions build a stronger, more durable research culture, all within NIH mission areas and without clinical trials or foreign components.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.361, 93.398, 93.846, 93.847, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.866, 93.867, 93.879.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-07.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PAR 24 145

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: