The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.
The grant program encourages early communication through optional, but encouraged Letters of Intent submitted 30 days prior to the full proposal deadline. The overarching goal is to streamline the application process by inviting preliminary expressions of interest, which may facilitate a more efficient review and selection process. This approach suggests a program that values forethought and preparation in its applicants, potentially indicating targeted support for projects or research that are well-conceived and rigorously planned.