CFF/NIH R01 Unfunded Award
Supports cystic fibrosis research proposals near the NIH line between planning and full grant review.
The CFF/NIH R01 Unfunded Award is a bridge program from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for CF-relevant NIH R01 applications that scored at or below the 40th percentile but were not funded. It is designed to keep promising CF science moving when a strong NIH review still falls short of the payline. The award provides $125,000 for one year, with no indirect costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the current program deadline is November 30, 2026. Eligibility is limited to US universities and research organizations working from an already scored NIH R01 in the relevant disease area. The best fit is an established team that already has a reviewed application, a clear response to the NIH critiques, and a short plan for what the bridge year will protect or de-risk. Because this is a narrow rescue mechanism rather than a broad competition, proposals are strongest when they show immediate scientific value for cystic fibrosis and a credible path back to external funding.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.