Research funding programs, explained

The R01 is NIH's standard grant for a discrete, investigator-initiated research project, and the award most biomedical labs are built on.

The R21 funds early, high-risk ideas that could open a new direction, before there is enough data for an R01.

The R03 is a small, short grant for a limited project: a pilot study, secondary analysis of existing data, or a new method.

The K99/R00 carries a postdoc into a faculty job: a mentored phase now, then independent research funding that moves with you to your new institution.

The K01 gives a research-doctorate scientist protected time to build new skills under a mentor on the way to independence.

The K08 is the classic first NIH award for physician-scientists doing laboratory or translational research.

The K23 is the mentored career award for clinicians whose research involves patients directly.

The F31 funds a PhD student's dissertation research and training under a sponsor.

The F32 is NIH's individual fellowship for postdocs training in health-related research.

The T32 is an institutional training grant: a university program, not an individual, applies, and the program then appoints trainees.

A U01 is an R01-style project in which NIH staff are substantially involved, usually as part of a consortium or a program the institute is steering.

A P01 funds a group of interrelated projects around one theme, sharing cores, so that the whole delivers more than separate R01s would.

CAREER is NSF's most prestigious award for early-career faculty, funding a five-year plan that integrates research and education.

The GRFP funds graduate students in science and engineering for three years, and students apply themselves, early in their studies.

MRI pays for buying or building shared research instruments that are too expensive for regular research grants.

REU funds undergraduate research, either as a whole site that hosts a cohort each summer or as a supplement to an existing NSF award.

The ERC Starting Grant funds talented early-career researchers to build their own team in Europe, judged on scientific excellence alone.

The ERC Consolidator Grant supports researchers who are consolidating their own independent team and program.

The ERC Advanced Grant backs established research leaders to pursue ground-breaking, high-risk projects.

MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships fund a postdoc to move to a new country and train with a host, in Europe or abroad and back.

Future Leaders Fellowships give early-career researchers and innovators in the UK long-term funding to tackle ambitious, often cross-disciplinary problems.