This application to funding timeline is for Unsolicited, Investigator-Initiated R01s (not applications responding to initiatives) by review cycle for fiscal year 2026 funding.
For other application types or other years, go to the NIH Standard Due Dates. Also check other NIAID Timelines & Due Dates.
The text below uses actual R01 submission deadlines for investigator-initiated applications. We based them on NIH standard due dates. If a standard date falls on a weekend or holiday, we adjusted it to the next business day.
Preparation Stage
Step 1. Prepare your application
First learn about Types of Funding Opportunities and Understand NIAID Research Priorities. Then get advice from NIAID's Apply for a Grant and mentors.
Since your institution may take days, weeks, or months to process a grant application, get your internal due date from your business office. Also check the timing for any required NIH or NIAID preapprovals before you apply. Learn more at Some Deadlines Are Before the Application Due Date.
Based on your internal deadline and accounting for preapproval steps, we recommend that you allow at least this much time to Prepare Your Application and Apply for a Grant:
- Two months: Planning and writing.
- One month: Getting feedback.
- Two weeks: Checks and edits.
Submission Stage
Step 2. Organization submits the application by the receipt date
Leave enough time to make corrections. The application goes to Grants.gov and then the eRA Commons for validation. Read more at Submit an Application.
Standard R01 receipt dates by review cycle:
- Review Cycle 1
- New non-AIDS applications: By February 5, 2025
- All AIDS applications: By May 7, 2025
- Resubmissions, non-AIDS: By March 5, 2025
- Review Cycle 2
- New non-AIDS applications: By June 5, 2025
- All AIDS applications: By September 8, 2025
- Resubmissions, non-AIDS: By July 7, 2025
- Review Cycle 3
- New non-AIDS applications: By October 6, 2025
- All AIDS applications: By January 7, 2026
- Resubmissions, non-AIDS: By November 5, 2025
Learn more about tracking your application’s status and your next steps at After You Submit an Application.
Review Stage
Step 3. Assignment
Find your application’s assigned institute and integrated review group in the Commons within two weeks. Read more at Application Assigned to a Review Group.
Step 4. NIH assigns applications to reviewers
- Review Cycle 1: May 2025
- Review Cycle 2: September 2025
- Review Cycle 3: January 2026
Step 5. Applications undergo initial peer review
Scientific review timing by cycle:
- Review Cycle 1: June or July 2025
- Review Cycle 2: October or November 2025
- Review Cycle 3: February or March 2026
Find overall impact scores in the Commons within three business days of initial peer review.
You will find your summary statement in the Commons within 30 days after initial peer review.
Learn more at Understand the Review Process.
After Review Stage
Step 6. NIAID begins to fund applications that had expedited second-level review
We discuss expedited review at Second-Level Review: Advisory Council.
- Review Cycle 1: Starting in October 2025, assuming we have a budget by then.
- Review Cycle 2: Starting in December 2025
- Review Cycle 3: Starting in April 2026
Step 7. NIAID Council
Our Council recommends funding for selective pay and non-expedited applications. Learn more at Second-Level Review: Advisory Council.
- Review Cycle 1: September 8, 2025
- Review Cycle 2: January 26, 2026
- Review Cycle 3: June 1, 2026
After Council, we may ask you to Respond to Pre-Award Requests (“Just-in-Time”).
Step 8. NIAID funds selective pay and non-expedited awards
- Review Cycle 1: October 2025, assuming we have a budget by then, through end of fiscal year.
- Review Cycle 2: February 2026 through end of fiscal year.
- Review Cycle 3: June 2026 through end of fiscal year.
Learn about negotiating your initial award and what to do afterward at Manage Your Award. Be sure to Stay Informed About Policy Changes & News.
Step 9. End of fiscal year
The last day of fiscal year 2026 is September 30, 2026.
Learn more about timelines, preparation time, and review cycles at Timelines & Due Dates.