PAR-26-042: Research Grants in Clinical Informatics (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
This funding opportunity from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at NIH supports investigator-initiated research grants in clinical informatics that develop innovative, generalizable methods and tools to transform complex health data into actionable knowledge and improve decision-making and health outcomes. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time on one of the standard NIH due dates (next dates include June 5, 2026; October 5, 2026; February 5, 2027, etc.) and the NOFO remains active until its expiration on March 6, 2029.
How much funding would I receive?
Direct cost limit: Up to $250,000 per year (applicants must justify budget based on project needs).
Anticipated total program funding: Approximately $2,500,000.
Estimated number of awards: 10.
What could I use the funding for?
Fund research focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical informatics tools and methods that:
Enable data-driven discovery and evidence-based decision-making.
Transform raw, heterogeneous health data (e.g., EHRs, clinical notes, imaging, patient-generated data) into usable knowledge.
Produce scalable, reproducible, domain-independent approaches broadly applicable across clinical settings.
Improve clinical workflows, predictive analytics, decision support, interoperability, and precision health.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Potential to accelerate scientific insights and inform future research beyond the project period.
Alignment with NLM’s mission to advance data-driven biomedical research and healthcare.
Software, datasets, methods, and resources are expected to be disseminated widely to maximize impact.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Standard NIH due dates: June 5, October 5, February 5 recurring through 2029 (all due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant).
NOFO expiration date: March 6, 2029.
Earliest possible project start: July 2026.
Where does this funding come from?
This opportunity is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
Higher education institutions (public and private).
Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status).
For-profit organizations, including small businesses.
Local and state governments.
Tribal governments and organizations.
Foreign organizations (subject to NIH policies).
Important NIH policy: NIH will not issue awards for applications that include foreign subawards or subcontracts unless submitted to a NOFO specifically for international collaborations.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Competitive applications will:
Address transformative clinical informatics challenges and align tightly with NLM goals.
Demonstrate innovation, scalability, and generalizability beyond narrow disease-specific problems.
Provide clear plans for evaluation, dissemination, and sustainability of tools and methods.
Present metrics for impact and comparison to existing approaches.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Projects must be clearly focused on clinical informatics and not be incremental improvements of existing tools.
Projects primarily focused on social determinants of health or ethical/legal/social issues are considered non-responsive.
Applications with foreign subawards/subcontracts are noncompliant and will not be reviewed.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
Preparation time depends on your readiness, but NIH typically recommends starting months before the nearest due date to:
Complete registrations (Grants.gov, eRA Commons, SAM/NCAGE, UEI).
Develop a rigorous research plan with evaluation and dissemination strategies.
Coordinate any institutional approvals.
Begin ASAP to ensure you meet the due date’s 5:00 PM local time deadline.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can:
Translate scientific aims into NIH-aligned application narratives.
Help articulate innovation, significance, and approach clearly.
Build budget justification and milestone plans that meet NIH expectations.
Develop data management, dissemination, and impact strategies that strengthen score.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements for submitting application ($13,000) available.