Yes, that is acceptable.  I got this directly from Erica Brown, the NIH AREA Program Director in April, 2011.  The key is that they cannot have any active NIH awards when the AREA is funded (front-end)

Kathy

-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org] On Behalf Of Marianne Volk
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 1:54 PM
To: xxxxxx@lists.healthresearch.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] R15 question

Hi everyone,
I have a quick question on an active R15 application.  If a PI currently holds an active R15, is he/she eligible to apply for an R01, R03, or any other type of NIH Research grant?
Thank you,

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