Epidemiology and Prevention in Alcohol Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 391

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 391

Epidemiology and Prevention in Alcohol Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18 391; CFDA 93.273) that supports investigator-initiated research focused on alcohol use patterns and alcohol-related public health outcomes. The aim is to build knowledge about the epidemiology of alcohol use, alcohol-related harms, and alcohol use disorders, and to advance prevention-focused work addressing underage drinking, alcohol-related harms, and alcohol use disorders. The R21 mechanism is typically used for exploratory or developmental projects, which often means the program is well-suited for early-stage studies that test new ideas, pilot methods, generate preliminary data, or open up new lines of investigation. The announcement is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the research question, but a clinical trial is not required.

The scope centers on understanding who is affected by alcohol use and related harms, how those harms emerge and change over time, and what factors at the individual, social, and environmental levels influence risk and protection. Epidemiology-oriented projects might examine prevalence and incidence of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders, trajectories across development, co-occurring health and behavioral outcomes, disparities across populations, and the ways community conditions or policy environments shape alcohol-related outcomes. Prevention-oriented projects are aimed at stopping or reducing underage drinking and preventing the onset or escalation of alcohol-related harms and alcohol use disorders, including the evaluation or refinement of preventive strategies, programs, or interventions. Because the focus includes both alcohol-related harms and alcohol use disorders, the opportunity can accommodate a wide range of endpoints, from acute consequences (injuries, poisonings, risky behaviors) to longer-term health and social impacts.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations such as state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; U.S. territories or possessions; regional organizations; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals NIH interest in supporting research capacity across diverse institutional settings and encouraging studies that may be especially relevant to underserved or disproportionately affected communities.

Key administrative details include an award ceiling of $200,000 (as listed in the source data) and an original closing date of May 7, 2020, with the FOA originally created on November 27, 2017. As an NIH grant program in the health category, applications are expected to propose rigorous, ethically sound research plans with clear significance to alcohol epidemiology and/or prevention, appropriate study designs for the exploratory R21 format, and well-justified methods for measuring alcohol use, harms, and disorder-related outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Epidemiology and Prevention in Alcohol Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PA 18 391

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