NIDCR Small Research Grants for Analyses of Existing Genomics Data (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 25 166

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 166

The NIDCR Small Research Grants for Analyses of Existing Genomics Data (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (PAR 25-166) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support small, focused research projects that answer important questions in human dental, oral, or craniofacial (DOC) biology and DOC-related diseases and conditions. The central emphasis is on generating new biological or clinical insight by analyzing existing, publicly available genomics datasets, rather than collecting large new datasets or running clinical trials. Projects can combine genomics with complementary data types when helpful (for example, phenotypes, clinical variables, imaging-derived measures, environmental or social determinants data, microbiome profiles, or other omics layers), as long as the core contribution comes from rigorous computational and statistical analysis of existing resources.

A key feature of this announcement is its strong encouragement of modern analytic approaches and thoughtful data integration. Applicants can use established computational pipelines or propose new methods developed within the project, including approaches for data and metadata mining, harmonization across studies, multi-dataset integration, and advanced AI/ML/DL strategies. The intent is not AI for its own sake, but methods that are justified by the scientific question and that can realistically yield interpretable, reliable results from the available data. Proposals that build or improve analytic methods are allowed, but they are expected to be tied to a meaningful DOC research question and to demonstrate why the method is needed and how it advances the field.

Even though this opportunity focuses on reanalysis of existing data, it is not purely a desk-based exercise. Each project is expected to include validation beyond the initial computational discovery step. That validation can be experimental (for example, targeted wet-lab confirmation in an appropriate model system) or in silico (for example, replication in independent datasets, sensitivity analyses, orthogonal computational confirmation, or benchmarking against known truth sets). If the project includes development of a new analytic approach, validation is also required to show that the method works as intended, performs better than alternatives, or is fit for the proposed purpose.

NIDCR highlights specific scientific priorities within the broader DOC genomics scope. Projects aimed at understanding oral health disparities are explicitly prioritized, especially when they can inform strategies to improve oral health outcomes for all individuals. This can include studies that investigate how genetic architecture, ancestry, social and environmental exposures, access to care, or structural factors interact to influence oral health, provided the analysis remains grounded in appropriate datasets and rigorous methods. The announcement also encourages projects that clarify human biological pathways relevant to oral and craniofacial health, particularly when the findings could help identify intervention targets or improve interpretation of known genetic variants, such as defining or refining the pathogenicity of variants that are already implicated in disease.

The mechanism is an NIH R03 small research grant, which typically supports shorter, tightly scoped projects intended to produce clear, publishable outcomes, feasibility evidence, or targeted discoveries. Clinical trials are not allowed under this NOFO, meaning the work should not involve prospective assignment of human participants to interventions to evaluate health-related outcomes. The activity category is Health, and the CFDA number is 93.121.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The NOFO also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects NIH’s interest in drawing strong analytic proposals from many sectors, including institutions serving populations that are often underrepresented in biomedical research.

Key logistics from the opportunity record include the NIH as the issuing agency, an original closing date of 2026-05-07, and a creation date of 2024-11-18. While the listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the overall structure signals support for modestly sized, high-impact projects that leverage existing genomics resources to answer DOC-relevant questions, produce validated results, and, where appropriate, contribute tools or analytic frameworks that other researchers can reuse.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDCR Small Research Grants for Analyses of Existing Genomics Data (R03 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): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

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