Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program (R03, Clinical Trial Optional)

grants.gov listing

Dealbreakers No cost share required Audit: not stated Reimbursement-only: not stated

Award range: Not specified
Expected awards: Not specified
Application deadline: Mar 16, 2029
Posted: Jun 9, 2026
Last verified: 6 days ago

At a glance

No plain-language summary yet for this grant — the official description below is the best source.

What it funds

Health
Research & Discovery
Training, Fellowship & Career Development
Researchers & Scholars
Biomedical & Disease Research
Substance Use & Addiction

Official description from grants.gov

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to facilitate the entry of investigators into multiple high-priority areas of substance use research, including comorbidity with HIV. The Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program aims to provide investigators with the opportunity to gather preliminary data that will assist them in securing future research grants and advancing their scientific careers.

Who can apply

City or township governments
County governments
For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Independent school districts
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
Others
Private institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
Small businesses
Special district governments
State governments

Geographic restriction None found in the announcement — likely nationwide

Program history

USASpending.gov

Assistance listing 93.279 · Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs

Real awards this federal program has made — the whole assistance listing (93.279), not just this notice.

Fiscal year	Awards	Median award	Middle half
FY 2026 (so far)	428	$422,523	$183,034 – $700,682
FY 2025	588	$709,054	$348,214 – $1,489,059
FY 2024	714	—	—
FY 2023	724	—	—
FY 2022	740	—	—
FY 2021	606	—	—

Dollar figures are based on the 1,000 most recent awards we store, not all 3,800 — award counts are complete.

Who wins it Higher education (2,743), Nonprofit (534), Business (366) of 3,800 awards — categories can overlap.

Top states CA (130) · MA (90) · NY (86) · PA (72) · MD (56)

Largest recent awards

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY $7,372,834 · FY 2025
BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER, INC. $7,081,684 · FY 2025
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON $7,003,822 · FY 2025
REACX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. $6,900,000 · FY 2025
WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE $6,889,914 · FY 2025

Source: USASpending.gov · refreshed Aug 18, 2026