Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 15 326
Apply for PAR 15 326
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 7, 2015 and posted on Aug 7, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 7, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: County governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses City or township governments State governments Independent school districts Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Special district governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to help investigators enter or transition into neuroimaging research. The main goal is to lower the barrier for researchers who are either new to neuroimaging or already established in another area but want to incorporate neuroimaging methods into their work. The FOA emphasizes small, proof-of-concept studies, meaning projects should be tightly focused, feasible, and aimed at generating preliminary data, demonstrating methodological feasibility, or testing an early-stage idea that could later support a larger, more definitive grant application.
This opportunity uses the Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism, which is intended for projects that can be completed in a short time frame with limited resources. In practice, that means applicants are expected to propose a modest, well-justified scope rather than a large multi-year research program. The award ceiling is $150,000, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which simplifies budgeting and makes the program more accessible for organizations that cannot commit additional funds. Because it is framed as a transition and entry mechanism, the grant is particularly well suited for supporting the initial learning curve and early implementation steps involved in neuroimaging, such as piloting acquisition protocols, testing analysis pipelines, validating feasibility in a specific population, or integrating imaging readouts into an existing research question.
The funding opportunity number is PAR-15-326, titled "Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03)." It was posted on August 7, 2015, and the original and final closing date listed is September 7, 2018, with an archive date of October 8, 2018. The sponsoring agency is NIH, and the activity categories are listed under Education and Health. The associated CFDA numbers are 93.279 (Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs) and 93.286 (Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health), which signals relevance to both substance use/addiction research and broader technology-driven health innovation, including imaging methodologies.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, special district governments, independent school districts, federally recognized and other tribal governments and organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly includes a range of institution types and communities such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It further notes eligibility for foreign (non-U.S.) entities and regional organizations, as well as U.S. territories or possessions and eligible federal agencies, and it allows faith-based or community-based organizations where applicable.
The core takeaway is that I/START (R03) is meant to support a focused, smaller neuroimaging project that helps an investigator credibly move into imaging by producing early results, demonstrating technical readiness, and positioning the research team for next-step funding. The full announcement was available via NIH at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-326.html, and the listed support contact for access or linking problems is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03)?
The Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity intended to help investigators enter neuroimaging research or transition into neuroimaging from another research area. It supports small, tightly focused projects that can generate early results and help a team become technically ready for future, larger applications.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The main purpose is to lower the barrier to adopting neuroimaging methods. The program is designed for researchers who are new to neuroimaging or who are established in another field and want to incorporate neuroimaging into their work by completing a modest proof-of-concept project.
What kind of projects is this FOA looking for?
The FOA emphasizes small, proof-of-concept studies. Projects should be feasible, narrowly scoped, and aimed at producing preliminary data, demonstrating methodological feasibility, or testing an early-stage idea that could later support a larger and more definitive grant application.
What does "proof-of-concept" mean in this program context?
In this context, proof-of-concept refers to a focused project that tests whether an imaging approach or idea can work as intended. Examples described include piloting acquisition protocols, testing analysis pipelines, validating feasibility in a specific population, or integrating imaging readouts into an existing research question.
What NIH grant mechanism is used for I/START?
This opportunity uses the Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism. The R03 mechanism is intended for projects that can be completed in a short time frame with limited resources, and it favors a modest, well-justified scope rather than a large multi-year research program.
What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $150,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is this grant especially suited for?
It is especially suited for investigators who are entering neuroimaging for the first time or transitioning into neuroimaging from another area. It is positioned to support early implementation steps and the initial learning curve involved in starting imaging work.
What types of early neuroimaging steps can the grant support?
The FOA highlights early implementation activities such as piloting imaging acquisition protocols, testing analysis pipelines, validating feasibility in a particular population, and integrating imaging measures into an existing research question.
What is the funding opportunity number and title?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-15-326, titled "Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) (R03)."
When was PAR-15-326 posted?
The opportunity was posted on August 7, 2015.
What were the listed closing and archive dates?
The original and final closing date listed is September 7, 2018, and the archive date is October 8, 2018.
Which agency sponsors this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The activity categories listed are Education and Health.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The associated CFDA numbers listed are 93.279 (Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs) and 93.286 (Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health).
What do the CFDA numbers suggest about the program's relevance?
Based on the CFDA listings provided, the FOA signals relevance to substance use/addiction research (93.279) and to broader technology-driven health innovation, including imaging methodologies (93.286).
What organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. and non-U.S. organization types. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.
Are higher education institutions specifically included?
Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are listed as eligible.
Are for-profit entities eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal governments and organizations are explicitly included as eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA notes eligibility for U.S. territories or possessions.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) entities allowed to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly notes eligibility for foreign (non-U.S.) entities and regional organizations.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
The FOA indicates that faith-based or community-based organizations are allowed where applicable.
Does the FOA encourage applications from specific institution types or communities?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes a range of institution types and communities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Where can applicants find the full announcement?
The full announcement was available via NIH at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-326.html.
Who is the contact for access or linking problems with the NIH page?
The listed support contact for access or linking problems is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
What is the key takeaway of I/START (R03) based on this description?
The core takeaway is that I/START (R03) supports a smaller, focused neuroimaging project that helps an investigator credibly move into imaging by producing early results, demonstrating technical readiness, and positioning the research team for next-step funding.
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