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.Apply for PAR 18 835
- 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.
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FAQs: Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) (PAR-18-835)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PAR-18-835) that supports large, hypothesis-driven research projects to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and real-world implementation of solutions for brain and other nervous system disorders in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
What grant mechanism does it use?
The opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which generally supports substantial, multi-year research programs with a robust research plan and collaborative structure.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The announcement is "clinical trials optional," meaning clinical trials are allowed but not required.
What does "across the lifespan" mean for project scope?
The scope covers the full lifespan. Projects may focus on early childhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging, or disorders and risk factors that unfold across multiple life stages.
What types of disorders or topics are in scope?
The scientific scope is intentionally broad and includes neurological, mental, behavioral, and alcohol and substance use disorders, as well as related aspects of nervous system function.
What kinds of research approaches are supported?
Projects can fall anywhere along the research pipeline, including basic and mechanistic studies; clinical research; population research; health services research; and implementation research focused on real-world uptake of effective solutions in LMIC contexts.
What is the main emphasis of the program beyond studying disorders?
In addition to generating scientific knowledge, the program emphasizes producing interventions, evidence, or approaches that are feasible, meaningful, and potentially scalable in LMIC settings.
What does the FOA say about collaboration?
Collaboration is a central feature. The announcement is designed to foster innovative, cooperative projects between scientists based in the United States and scientists based in LMIC institutions, with the expectation that research questions and methods will be relevant to LMIC settings and needs.
Can investigators in upper middle-income countries (UMICs) apply or partner under this opportunity?
Yes. The announcement 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.
How is LMIC or UMIC status determined?
Country income status is determined using World Bank classifications, which are explicitly referenced in the announcement to define eligibility and partnering rules.
What kinds of projects would be considered a good fit based on the description provided?
Examples described include 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; and evaluating strategies to scale evidence-based care in low-resource settings.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants include academic institutions and a wide range of other organizations such as governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, private higher education institutions, and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses.
Are government entities eligible?
Yes. The FOA lists eligible applicants such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; and independent school districts.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, and it also explicitly mentions Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized).
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities/foreign organizations among eligible applicants.
Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights faith-based or community-based organizations as additional eligible applicants.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or eligible?
They are explicitly listed among additional eligible applicants, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are U.S. territories or possessions included in eligibility?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly mentioned among additional eligible applicants.
What type of funding is this considered administratively?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the grant funding instrument.
What general activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
It sits within health and social services-related activity categories and involves research areas spanning neuroscience, mental health, substance use, and related domains.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, and 93.989.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The provided excerpt does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
What dates are provided for this opportunity?
The source record shows a creation date of 2018-06-19 and an original closing date of 2020-11-06.
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| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 836 Funding Number: PAR 18 836 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Early Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 19 121 Funding Number: RFA MH 19 121 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| U.S.-Brazil Collaborative Biomedical Research Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 18 054 Funding Number: RFA AI 18 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanistic Studies of Gene-Environment Interplay in Dental, Oral, Craniofacial, and Other Diseases and Conditions (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 292 Funding Number: PAR 19 292 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Novel and Robust Systems for Mechanistic Studies of Gene-Environment Interplay in Dental, Oral, Craniofacial, and Other Diseases and Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 293 Funding Number: PAR 19 293 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Small Research Grants for Establishing Basic Science-Clinical Collaborations to Understand Structural Birth Defects (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 065 Funding Number: PAR 20 065 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Small Research Grants for Analyses of Down Syndrome-related Research Data for the INCLUDE Project (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 006 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transformative Research Award for the INCLUDE (Investigation of Co-occurring Conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome) Project (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 201 Funding Number: PA 21 201 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 200 Funding Number: PA 21 200 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 199 Funding Number: PA 21 199 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Autism Centers of Excellence: Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 22 008 Funding Number: RFA HD 22 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 22 007 Funding Number: RFA HD 22 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 319 Funding Number: PAR 21 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 21 311 Funding Number: PAR 21 311 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 098 Funding Number: PAR 22 098 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 22 097 Funding Number: PAR 22 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Diagnostic Centers of Excellence (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 171 Funding Number: PAR 23 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Implementation Research on Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors among Low- and Middle-Income Country and Tribal Populations Living in City Environments (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 319 Funding Number: PAR 23 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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