Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 23 003
Pilot Projects Enhancing Utility and Usage of Common Fund Data Sets (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity (RFA-RM-23-003; CFDA 93.310) focused on getting more scientific value out of existing, widely available data sets produced by NIH Common Fund programs. Instead of funding new clinical trials or large-scale data generation, this FOA is designed to support small, targeted pilot projects that actively use selected Common Fund data resources in ways that demonstrate their real-world usefulness. The core idea is to help researchers and other eligible organizations show how these shared data sets can be leveraged to generate new hypotheses, uncover patterns, and catalyze discoveries that might not be apparent without cross-cutting analysis or novel re-use of existing data.
A key part of the program is practical impact: applicants are expected to do more than simply analyze a data set for a single narrow result. Projects should clearly enhance understanding of what the data can do, how it can be used effectively, and what kinds of scientific questions it is best suited to answer. This might involve developing or testing analysis approaches, integrating a Common Fund data set with complementary resources, exploring underused variables or modalities, validating analytical pipelines, or producing compelling proof-of-concept findings that illustrate the data set's value to a broader community. In addition to the research or analytic outcomes, awardees are explicitly asked to provide feedback on the utility of the Common Fund data resources, which signals that NIH is also using these pilot projects to learn what works well, what is confusing or limiting, and what improvements could make the data sets easier to access, interpret, or apply.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based entities and organizations. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township governments; 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; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal government agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it draws a line on non-U.S. applicants: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations/institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain qualifying foreign elements in the project under NIH rules even though a standalone foreign institution cannot be the applicant organization.
Administratively, this is a grant mechanism under the NIH R03 activity, and the FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so proposed work must stay outside the definition of a clinical trial. The opportunity was created on 2022-11-25, with an original closing date of 2023-02-03. The posted source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, so applicants typically would need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project duration, and any program-specific expectations about which Common Fund data sets are in scope, required deliverables, and how feedback to NIH should be structured or shared. Overall, the program is aimed at accelerating discovery by making sure high-value Common Fund data sets are not just available, but actively used, stress-tested, and improved through real pilot applications that also inform NIH about how these data resources can better serve the research community.Apply for RFA RM 23 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pilot Projects Enhancing Utility and Usage of Common Fund Data Sets (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): 93.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-11-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-03. (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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FAQs: Pilot Projects Enhancing Utility and Usage of Common Fund Data Sets (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity titled "Pilot Projects Enhancing Utility and Usage of Common Fund Data Sets (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (RFA-RM-23-003; CFDA 93.310). It supports small, targeted pilot projects that increase scientific value and real-world usefulness of existing, widely available data sets produced by NIH Common Fund programs.
What is the main goal of the program?
The main goal is to help researchers and eligible organizations demonstrate how NIH Common Fund data resources can be actively re-used to generate new hypotheses, uncover patterns, and catalyze discoveries, especially through cross-cutting analysis or novel re-use of existing data rather than creating new large-scale data resources.
What kind of work does NIH want to fund under this FOA?
The FOA is designed for practical, pilot-scale projects that actively use selected Common Fund data sets and show what the data can do. Examples described in the opportunity include developing or testing analysis approaches, integrating Common Fund data with complementary resources, exploring underused variables or modalities, validating analytical pipelines, and producing proof-of-concept findings that illustrate value to a broader community.
Is this opportunity meant to fund new data generation?
No. The emphasis is on extracting more value from existing, widely available data sets produced by NIH Common Fund programs, rather than funding large-scale new data generation.
Are clinical trials allowed?
No. The FOA is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so proposed work must stay outside the NIH definition of a clinical trial.
What grant mechanism does this program use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R03 activity, which is a small grant mechanism intended for targeted, pilot-style work.
What types of outcomes are applicants expected to produce?
Projects are expected to go beyond a single narrow analysis result. Applicants should enhance understanding of how the data can be used effectively, what kinds of scientific questions the data is best suited to answer, and demonstrate usefulness through practical pilot applications and outcomes.
Is providing feedback to NIH part of the expectations?
Yes. Awardees are explicitly asked to provide feedback on the utility of the Common Fund data resources. This is intended to help NIH understand what works well, what is confusing or limiting, and what improvements could make the data sets easier to access, interpret, or apply.
What does "enhancing utility and usage" mean in practice?
Based on the description, it means running pilot efforts that stress-test the data in real analytic or integrative scenarios, demonstrate value to a broader community, and clarify best-use cases. It can also include identifying limitations and proposing improvements through structured feedback on usability and interpretability.
Does the FOA specify which NIH Common Fund data sets are eligible or in scope?
The summary provided indicates the FOA targets data sets produced by NIH Common Fund programs, but it does not specify within this excerpt which specific data sets are in scope. Applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text for any program-specific scope details.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based entities and organizations, including state, county, city or township governments; 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; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are U.S. territories eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible federal government agencies among additional eligible applicant categories.
Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations/institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
Can a U.S. organization apply if part of the work will occur outside the U.S.?
The excerpt states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain qualifying foreign elements under NIH rules even though a standalone foreign institution cannot be the applicant.
What is the opportunity number and catalog identifier?
The FOA identifier is RFA-RM-23-003 and the CFDA number is 93.310.
When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on 2022-11-25, and the original closing date listed is 2023-02-03.
Does the provided information include the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
No. The posted source data described here does not specify an award ceiling.
Does the provided information include how many awards NIH expects to make?
No. The excerpt does not include an expected number of awards.
Does the provided information include project duration or budget limits?
No. The excerpt notes that applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project duration, required deliverables, and other program-specific expectations.
What makes a strong fit for this FOA based on the description?
A strong fit is a small, targeted pilot project that actively uses NIH Common Fund data sets in a way that demonstrates broader usefulness, tests or improves analytic approaches, or integrates data with complementary resources, and that produces both proof-of-concept outcomes and concrete feedback to NIH about usability and limitations.
What types of activities are explicitly discouraged by the program design?
The program is not designed for new clinical trials or large-scale data generation. It also prohibits clinical trials, per the "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" designation.
Why is NIH emphasizing "real-world usefulness" of data sets?
The FOA is framed around accelerating discovery by ensuring Common Fund data sets are not only available but actively used, stress-tested, and improved through pilot applications. This helps clarify how the data can best serve the broader research community and highlights opportunities for improving access and interpretation.
What is NIH trying to learn from these pilot projects?
In addition to scientific or analytic outcomes, NIH is using these projects to gather feedback on what is effective, confusing, or limiting about Common Fund data resources, and what improvements could make the data sets easier to access, interpret, or apply.
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