Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 099
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Pilot and Feasibility Clinical and Translational Research Studies in Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-099) supports early-stage, exploratory projects that test new ideas or generate preliminary evidence in digestive, liver, and nutrition-related diseases. It is designed for pilot and feasibility clinical and translational studies, meaning the emphasis is on smaller, proof-of-concept efforts that can establish whether a novel approach is workable, help refine study methods, and produce the kind of initial data needed to justify a larger, fully powered follow-on study. The mechanism used is an NIH R21 grant, and clinical trials are optional under this announcement, so applicants may propose either clinical trial work (when appropriate and allowed) or other clinical/translational studies that move discoveries toward patient benefit.
The scope centers on digestive and liver diseases and nutrition, fitting within the broader NIH mission areas of health and food/nutrition research (CFDA 93.847). In practical terms, projects under this FOA would typically aim to bridge gaps between basic discoveries and real-world clinical application. That could include testing a new diagnostic approach, exploring biomarkers, piloting an intervention strategy, evaluating feasibility of recruitment or adherence in a target patient population, or validating protocols and outcome measures needed for a later definitive trial. The key theme is feasibility and innovation rather than large-scale confirmation; the R21 format is commonly used for projects where strong rationale exists but more groundwork is needed before launching a major study.
Funding is provided through a discretionary grant program, and the listed award ceiling is $200,000. This ceiling reflects the maximum amount indicated in the source data for an award under this opportunity. The announcement lists an original closing date of August 14, 2018, and a creation date of November 15, 2017, which places it within a past application cycle; anyone interested would generally need to look for a current or reissued version of the FOA or related NIH opportunities, since NIH often updates, reissues, or supersedes announcements over time.
A wide range of U.S.-based applicant organizations are eligible. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments (including cities, townships, and special district governments), independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Higher education institutions are eligible across categories, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The FOA also allows nonprofit organizations, both those with IRS 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education under those nonprofit categories). For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, as are small businesses. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and the announcement also recognizes additional tribal and community-oriented entities.
The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types to encourage broad participation, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible agencies of the federal government; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are other than federally recognized. This emphasis signals an intent to ensure that institutions serving diverse populations and communities can compete for support, which is often important for digestive and liver disease research because disease burden, access to care, and nutrition-related factors can vary substantially across populations.
At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In other words, the work supported under this FOA is intended to be conducted entirely within eligible domestic organizational structures without foreign components.
Overall, PA-18-099 is best understood as an NIH opportunity aimed at catalyzing innovative, early-stage clinical and translational research in digestive diseases, liver diseases, and nutrition. It is structured to help investigators and institutions test feasibility, refine clinical research approaches, and build the preliminary platform needed for larger NIH-funded studies, while maintaining domestic eligibility requirements and welcoming a broad range of U.S. organizations, including community-focused and minority-serving institutions.Apply for PA 18 099
- The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pilot and Feasibility Clinical and Translational Research Studies in Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (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): 93.847.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-08-14. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the official title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Pilot and Feasibility Clinical and Translational Research Studies in Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The FOA number is PA-18-099.
What type of grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 grant mechanism.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The FOA supports early-stage, exploratory projects in digestive diseases, liver diseases, and nutrition that test new ideas or generate preliminary evidence. The emphasis is on pilot and feasibility clinical and translational research studies that can establish whether a novel approach is workable, refine study methods, and generate initial data needed to justify a larger follow-on study.
What kinds of studies are meant by "pilot and feasibility" in this FOA?
In this FOA, pilot and feasibility studies are generally smaller, proof-of-concept clinical and translational projects designed to test whether an approach can be implemented, to refine methods, and to produce preliminary data. The intent is not large-scale confirmation but groundwork that supports a later, fully powered study.
Are clinical trials required under this announcement?
No. Clinical trials are optional under this FOA. Applicants may propose a clinical trial when appropriate and allowed, or propose other clinical/translational studies that advance discoveries toward patient benefit.
What disease and research areas are within scope?
The scope centers on digestive diseases, liver diseases, and nutrition-related diseases, with an emphasis on clinical and translational research that bridges basic discoveries and real-world clinical application.
What are examples of project activities that fit this FOA (based on the description provided)?
Typical activities mentioned in the description include testing a new diagnostic approach, exploring biomarkers, piloting an intervention strategy, evaluating feasibility of recruitment or adherence in a target patient population, and validating protocols and outcome measures needed for a later definitive trial.
What is the key theme NIH is looking for in projects under this FOA?
The key theme is feasibility and innovation rather than large-scale, confirmatory research. Projects should be exploratory and help determine whether a novel clinical or translational approach is workable and ready for a larger study.
What is the funding source/category noted for this program?
Funding is provided through a discretionary grant program.
What is the listed award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000, reflecting the maximum amount indicated in the provided source data for an award under this opportunity.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.847.
When was this FOA created, and what was the original closing date listed?
The creation date listed is November 15, 2017, and the original closing date listed is August 14, 2018.
Is this FOA tied to a past application cycle?
Yes. Based on the listed closing date (August 14, 2018), it is presented as part of a past application cycle.
If the closing date has passed, what should interested applicants do?
Based on the description provided, interested applicants would generally need to look for a current or reissued version of the FOA or related NIH opportunities, since NIH often updates, reissues, or supersedes announcements over time.
Who can apply (in general terms)?
A wide range of U.S.-based organizations are eligible, including government entities, educational institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit entities, along with various tribal and community-oriented organizations, as described in the eligibility list.
Are state, county, and local government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The description states that eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and local governments (including cities, townships, and special district governments).
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Eligible institutions include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA allows nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status and nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education under those nonprofit categories.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also eligible.
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible. The FOA also highlights that Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized are included among the additional eligible applicant types listed.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or recognized as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights faith-based or community-based organizations among the additional eligible applicant types.
Are federal government agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible agencies of the federal government are explicitly listed among additional eligible applicant types.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly listed among additional eligible applicant types.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among additional eligible applicant types.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply under this FOA.
Can a U.S. organization apply if part of the work will be done at a non-U.S. component?
No. The description states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
Are foreign components allowed in projects funded under this FOA?
No. Foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed under this FOA.
Does the FOA indicate where the supported work is intended to be conducted?
Yes. Based on the eligibility restrictions provided, the supported work is intended to be conducted entirely within eligible domestic organizational structures without foreign components.
How does this FOA fit within NIH's broader mission areas?
The FOA aligns with NIH mission areas related to health and food/nutrition research, with scope focused on digestive diseases, liver diseases, and nutrition.
What is the overall goal for projects supported by PA-18-099?
The overall goal is to catalyze innovative, early-stage clinical and translational research in digestive diseases, liver diseases, and nutrition by supporting feasibility testing, refinement of clinical research approaches, and generation of preliminary data needed for larger NIH-funded studies.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Pilot and Feasibility Clinical Research Grants in Urologic Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 101 Funding Number: PAR 18 101 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Small Grants for New Investigators to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 102 Funding Number: PAR 18 102 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Limited Competition: Small Grant Program for NIDDK K01/K08/K23 Recipients (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 103 Funding Number: PAR 18 103 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Addressing Health Disparities in NIDDK Diseases (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 412 Funding Number: PA 18 412 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ancillary Studies to Identify Behavioral and/or Psychological Phenotypes Contributing to Obesity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 105 Funding Number: PAR 18 105 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pragmatic Research in Healthcare Settings to Improve Diabetes and Obesity Prevention and Care (R18 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 106 Funding Number: PAR 18 106 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Planning Grants for Pragmatic Research in Healthcare Settings to Improve Diabetes and Obesity Prevention and Care (R34 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 107 Funding Number: PAR 18 107 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Elucidating HIV and HIV-treatment Associated Metabolic/Endocrine Dysfunction (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 17 036 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Pilot and Feasibility Therapeutic Clinical Trials in Diabetes, and Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases (R21- Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 405 Funding Number: PA 18 405 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| NIDDK Exploratory Clinical Trials for Small Business (R44 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 108 Funding Number: PAR 18 108 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDDK Multi-Center Clinical Study Implementation Planning Cooperative Agreements (U34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 423 Funding Number: PAR 18 423 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| NIDDK Multi-Center Clinical Trial Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 415 Funding Number: PAR 18 415 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Research in HIV in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 17 037 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 037 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NIDDK Multi-Center Clinical Study Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 414 Funding Number: PAR 18 414 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDDK Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01-Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 418 Funding Number: PAR 18 418 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDDK Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01-No Independent Clinical Trials) Apply for PAR 18 419 Funding Number: PAR 18 419 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High Impact, Interdisciplinary Science in NIDDK Research Areas (RC2 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 111 Funding Number: PAR 18 111 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award in Diseases within the Mission of NIDDK (R15 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 495 Funding Number: PA 18 495 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Microphysiological Systems (MPS) for Modeling Diabetes (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 17 035 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ancillary Studies to the NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DK 17 018 Funding Number: RFA DK 17 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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