Best Grants for Science Research in Virgin Islands

STEM researchers at institutions in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions, including the Virgin Islands, can seek support to build research capacity and advance their careers through collaborative fellowships. National Science Foundation EPSCoR Research Fellows awards fund extended or periodic visits to premier research institutions, enabling new techniques, partnerships, and student or trainee participation in science research projects.

Universities and research institutions conducting collaborative STEM research, including science fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science, may be eligible for US $1,000,000 - US $1,500,000 to build research infrastructure and capacity. With a mission to promote nationwide scientific progress, National Science Foundation provides Virgin Islands science researchers in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions with support for multi-state, inter-jurisdictional projects.

Virgin Islands science researchers and institutions conducting NIH-relevant quantitative studies involving basic experimental work with humans can access funding through the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health. Awards provide mentored career development and protected time for experts in fields like mathematics, statistics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, physics, and biomedical imaging.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

Early-career investigators in quantitative fields conducting independent clinical trials in the Virgin Islands can receive mentored career development support to build NIH-relevant health research programs. With a mission to advance biomedical and behavioral science, the National Institutes of Health provides protected time, supervision, and training to help these researchers transition into independent, disease-focused investigators.

Quantitative scientists and engineers conducting NIH-relevant, non–clinical-trial health research in the Virgin Islands can receive mentored career development support through the National Institutes of Health. This K25 award provides protected time for supervised research and training in areas like mathematics, statistics, computer science, chemistry, physics, biomedical imaging, and informatics, which may benefit science research programs.

Undergraduate students in NOAA-related STEM fields in the Virgin Islands can access funding through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, receiving up to US $40,000 plus a paid summer internship. The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship supports two years of study, hands-on research experience, travel to conferences, and professional development in oceanic and atmospheric sciences.

Resource-limited biomedical research organizations in the Virgin Islands can seek funding to conduct research, strengthen their research environment, and expand sponsored programs administration capacity. With a mission to support broader participation in biomedical science, the National Institutes of Health provides up to US $2,500,000 for eligible domestic institutions, including those in U.S. territories, with limited research resources and few biomedical doctoral students.

Virgin Islands biology and microbiology researchers can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to conduct mechanistic studies on precision probiotic therapies. Projects should analyze person-specific biological features that influence probiotic responses, using innovative animal models or human subjects. Awards up to US $1,400,000 support work to improve probiotic responsiveness and clinical outcomes.

Virgin Islands science research organizations and investigators conducting health-related biology projects can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to support both scientific research and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts. Eligible projects must align with participating NIH Institutes and Centers and advance DEIA within the U.S. biomedical research enterprise, including territories.

Research institutions and other eligible organizations developing high-risk, novel biomedical technologies can seek up to US $275,000 to establish feasibility and proof of concept under this NIGMS-focused R21 program, available in the Virgin Islands and other U.S. jurisdictions. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports early-stage biology and medical technology research through this NOFO.

Eligible domestic institutions conducting biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research training, including in the Virgin Islands, can apply for National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA T32 institutional training support. Funding helps develop or enhance predoctoral and postdoctoral programs that combine didactic instruction, mentored research, and career development to prepare a diverse, highly trained health research workforce.

Biology and disease-focused research institutions in the Virgin Islands can seek funding to develop, improve, and preserve animal models and related biological materials and technologies. With a mission to advance biomedical infrastructure, the National Institutes of Health provides support for projects using animal models with broad applicability across multiple body systems and NIH Institutes; awards up to US $275,000.

Graduate students conducting biomedical research and seeking mentored postdoctoral training can apply for this two-phase NIH Advancing Research Careers award, supporting dissertation completion and postdoctoral career development. Grants from NIH help Virgin Islands biology and health researchers from diverse backgrounds transition into impactful biomedical research careers across academic, industry, or government settings.

Veterinary scientists conducting biology or veterinary science research in the Virgin Islands and other eligible U.S. territories can apply for small R03 projects supporting pilot studies, data analysis, or method and technology development. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help ORIP SERCA K01 recipients with at least 24 months completed advance toward independent investigator status, with awards up to US $150,000.

Postdoctoral researchers in biology or health fields in the Virgin Islands can apply for the NCI Pathway to Independence Award to support their transition to independent, tenure-track research careers; awards up to US $249,000 for this career development. This National Institutes of Health program supports cancer-focused biomedical and medical training research across eligible U.S. territories.

Undergraduate-focused institutions conducting biomedical or biology-related research in the Virgin Islands can apply for National Institutes of Health Academic Research Enhancement Awards, with awards up to US $1,125,000. Eligible baccalaureate-granting schools must have limited prior NIH funding and run small-scale, minimal-risk clinical trials that fit participating NIH institutes’ missions while engaging undergraduate students in research.

The Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) supports small-scale research grants for institutions with limited NIH funding, emphasizing biomedical research experiences for undergraduates. Eligible institutions must award baccalaureate science degrees and have received no more than $6 million in NIH support over the past seven years. This initiative aims to enhance the research environment at these institutions, fostering student involvement in research activities.

The NIAID Career Transition Award (K22) supports postdoctoral fellows transitioning to independent research positions, fostering their development into successful biomedical scientists. Key deadlines for applications span from February 2025 to June 2027, including specific dates for standard, renewal, and AIDS-related grants. This initiative, funded by the NIH, aims to enhance the career trajectory of emerging researchers in clinical and biomedical fields, ensuring a robust pipeline of innovative scientific talent.

The NIMH Career Transition Award (K22) supports tenure-track intramural investigators at NIMH in their transition to independent research faculty positions. This program aims to foster innovative research in mental health, encouraging applicants with a strong record of research excellence. Key deadlines for applications vary, including those for standard and renewal submissions, emphasizing the importance of timely applications to secure funding and advance mental health research initiatives.

The Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) aims to boost basic and clinical research at health professional and graduate schools that have historically received limited NIH funding. By supporting small-scale research projects led by faculty, REAP fosters student engagement in significant research endeavors, enhancing their educational experience. Eligible institutions must grant advanced degrees in health professions and have received under $6 million in NIH support in four of the last seven years, promoting broader participation in the nation's biomedical research efforts.

Virgin Islands research institutions and labs needing high-cost scientific instruments can access funding through the National Institutes of Health to purchase or upgrade shared, specialized equipment. Awards of US $50,000 - US $750,000 support commercially available systems such as microscopes, biomedical imagers, mass spectrometers, sequencers, and other advanced biology and medical technology instruments.

Virgin Islands research institutions needing major scientific instruments can access funding through the National Institutes of Health Basic Instrumentation Grant Program. Eligible NIH-supported groups may request US $25,000 - US $350,000 to purchase a single new, specialized, commercially available instrument or integrated system, such as microscopes, cell sorters, gel imagers, or related equipment.

Federally recognized Tribal entities supporting biomedical undergraduates, including those serving students from the Virgin Islands, can apply for the Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) program from the National Institutes of Health. Funding supports developing and implementing research training and mentoring that prepares students for AI/AN health and health disparities research careers.

The MOSAIC Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00) aims to enhance diversity in the biomedical sciences by supporting early career investigators from diverse backgrounds. This program facilitates the transition from mentored postdoctoral positions to independent faculty roles. Awardees will receive NIH research support and engage in professional development, mentoring, and networking activities to foster their competitive research careers, ultimately contributing to a more diverse scientific workforce in NIH mission areas.

The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) program aims to enhance diversity in research by supporting early career investigators from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative offers a K99/R00 career transition award for postdoctoral scholars and a UE5 cooperative agreement that provides mentorship and professional development. The program's goal is to ensure successful transitions into independent, tenure-track faculty roles in NIH mission areas, ultimately fostering a more inclusive scientific community.

The Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) program aims to enhance diversity in the research workforce by supporting early career investigators from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative includes a K99/R00 career transition award for postdoctoral scholars and a UE5 cooperative agreement to foster mentoring, networking, and professional development. With multiple application deadlines from 2024 to 2027, MOSAIC is dedicated to facilitating successful transitions into tenure-track or equivalent research-intensive faculty roles.