R01s

R01 is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant mechanism used to fund independent, investigator-initiated research projects. It is the most common grant type supporting biomedical and behavioral research across NIH institutes and centers. An R01 funds a discrete, specified research project led by a principal investigator (PI) and conducted at an eligible institution, such as a university, hospital, or research organization.

Most R01s run for three to five years and provide support for direct costs, with facilities and administrative costs recovered at the recipient institution’s negotiated rate. NIH budgeting for R01s often uses modular budgets, typically allowing direct costs up to a cap per year (commonly around $250,000), with larger or more complex projects sometimes pursuing traditional budgets. Budgeting rules vary by NIH institute and program.

Eligibility typically requires the PI to have research independence and an appointment that permits funded research, within an eligible institution. Applicants submit investigator-initiated proposals in response to an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) or through general submit cycles, outlining a defined project with aims, significance, and a plan.

Applications undergo a two-stage process: competitive peer review by NIH study sections, where reviewers assess significance, innovation, approach, investigator, and environment; followed by a programmatic review by the relevant NIH Institute or Center to determine alignment with strategic priorities and funding availability. Funding decisions are made by the IC after review.

Renewals and competitive continuations may be requested to extend or expand on prior work. R01s have historically played a central role in enabling major advances by supporting a wide range of basic, translational, and clinical research conducted by established investigators.