CFDA 93.310: Trans-NIH Research Support
NIH's catch-all CFDA covering trans-institute research initiatives that don't fit a single institute's portfolio. Major source of funding for cross-cutting biomedical and behavioral research.
What this CFDA funds
Investigator-initiated research (R-series), training (T-series, F-series), career development (K-series), centers (P-series), conference grants (R13). Trans-NIH initiatives include the Common Fund, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, NIH Director's awards.
What winning applicants look like
Research universities (R1 institutions), academic medical centers, AAU members, major children's hospitals, and freestanding 501(c)(3) research institutes (Salk, Scripps, Whitehead). Strong PI publication record + institutional resources are scoring drivers. NIH success rates have hovered at 18-22% for R01s in recent cycles — extremely competitive.
Common pitfalls + things to know
Specific Aims must be hypothesis-driven, not exploratory. Multi-PI applications need clear leadership rationale. Page limits are strictly enforced. NIH study section assignment matters more than most applicants realize — early communication with relevant Program Officers about your proposal can save months of misalignment.
Related CFDAs to also explore
- CFDA 93.853 — Extramural Research Programs in Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders
- CFDA 93.855 — Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research
- CFDA 93.398 — Cancer Research
Audiences who use this CFDA
If you fall into one of these audience groups, the audience guide gives you the broader picture of all federal funding streams you qualify for — not just CFDA 93.310.
Always verify in the official source. CFDA program details, eligibility, and award ranges change with each annual NOFO cycle. Confirm at sam.gov/content/assistance-listings or the agency's program office before you build an application strategy. This page is editorial reference, not an official agency notice.