Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 835

Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PAR-18-835) that supports large, hypothesis-driven research projects aimed at improving understanding, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and real-world implementation of solutions for brain and other nervous system disorders in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The scope is intentionally broad and covers the full lifespan, meaning applicants can focus on early childhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging, or conditions that unfold across multiple life stages. The scientific topics include neurological, mental, behavioral, and alcohol and substance use disorders, as well as related aspects of nervous system function. Projects can sit anywhere on the research pipeline, from basic and mechanistic studies to clinical, population, health services, and implementation research, with clinical trials allowed but not required under the "clinical trials optional" framework.

A central feature of this announcement is collaboration: it is designed to foster innovative, cooperative projects between scientists based in the United States and scientists based in LMIC institutions, with the expectation that the research questions and methods will be relevant to LMIC settings and needs. It also expands partnership flexibility by allowing investigators in upper middle-income countries (UMICs) to partner directly with investigators at other LMIC institutions, either with or without a U.S. partner. Country income status is determined using World Bank classifications, which are explicitly referenced in the announcement to define eligibility and partnering rules.

The mechanism is an NIH R01 grant, which generally supports substantial, multi-year research programs and is well-suited to projects that require a robust research plan, strong preliminary rationale, and a collaborative structure across institutions and countries. Because the announcement spans "basic to implementation" science, strong applications could include, for example, discovering biological mechanisms relevant to a disorder in LMIC populations, validating culturally and contextually appropriate measurement tools, testing interventions or service delivery models in real-world clinics or communities, or evaluating strategies to scale evidence-based care in low-resource settings. The emphasis is not just on studying disorders, but on generating knowledge or interventions that are feasible, meaningful, and potentially scalable in LMIC contexts.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Beyond standard academic institutions, the FOA lists eligible applicants such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); private higher education institutions; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other categories. It also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American 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, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized), and U.S. territories or possessions. This wide eligibility reflects an interest in supporting research teams that can connect scientific rigor with local access, community engagement, and practical delivery systems.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the grant funding instrument. It sits within health and social services-related activity categories and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.989), reflecting participation across NIH institutes and centers that support neuroscience, mental health, substance use, and related domains. The source record shows an original closing date of 2020-11-06 and a creation date of 2018-06-19, and it does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided excerpt. Overall, the program is best understood as a platform for well-powered, collaborative research that addresses high-burden brain and nervous system conditions globally, while ensuring the work is grounded in LMIC priorities, settings, and partnerships.

  • The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.989.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2018-06-19.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • 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 PAR 18 835

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