The "Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for ORIP Special Emphasis Research Career Award (SERCA) K01 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" funding opportunity (PAR-25-176) is issued by the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It supports veterinary scientists who are SERCA K01 recipients transitioning to independent research careers. This R03 mechanism provides up to $75,000 in direct costs annually for a maximum project period of two years. The program aims to facilitate the transition to full research independence by enabling small, self-contained research projects, pilot and feasibility studies, or methodology development.

Eligible applicants are limited to ORIP-supported SERCA K01 awardees who have completed at least 24 months of their K01 award. Applications must propose work that complements but does not duplicate their K01-funded research, contributing to independent research directions. Applicants must ensure the K01 award remains active at submission, though the second year of the R03 project does not require concurrent K01 support. Foreign organizations and components are not eligible.

Applications must include a summary of the applicant’s SERCA K01 award, highlighting how the R03 project builds on and diverges from their K01-funded research. A mentor letter is also required, affirming the applicant’s potential for independence and the continued mentorship relationship. The application must describe a feasible two-year research strategy and outline how the project will contribute to future independent funding opportunities, such as R01 applications.

The program does not support clinical trials. Submission deadlines follow NIH standard dates, starting February 16, 2025, with subsequent deadlines through May 8, 2026. Applications are submitted via Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution, with mandatory registrations in eRA Commons, SAM, and Grants.gov. Compliance with NIH's Data Management and Sharing Policy is required.

Peer review will evaluate the significance, innovation, and rigor of the research, the feasibility of the two-year timeline, and the potential for the project to advance the applicant's independence. Reviewers will also assess the applicant’s training and the mentoring plan, ensuring alignment with the program's goals to foster independent research careers.

The funding is contingent on NIH appropriations, and awards are determined by scientific merit, availability of funds, and program priorities. Applicants are encouraged to contact ORIP staff for guidance on eligibility and responsiveness to the funding announcement. Further details on requirements and submission processes are outlined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.