Promoting Research on Music and Health: Phased Innovation Award for Music Interventions (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AT 19 001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of the NIH funding opportunity "Promoting Research on Music and Health: Phased Innovation Award for Music Interventions (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)"?

This funding opportunity supports early-stage, high-potential research on music-based interventions intended to improve health. It is designed to strengthen the scientific foundation for how and why music interventions work, while creating a realistic pathway toward future clinical research and eventual real-world application.

What is the central scientific emphasis of this FOA?

A major emphasis is on mechanisms of action. The FOA prioritizes research that explains how music interventions produce health effects by investigating biological mechanisms and behavioral processes, not only whether an intervention appears to help.

Does an applicant need extensive preliminary data to be competitive?

No. A stated theme is innovation with minimal prerequisite data. Applicants do not need a large body of preliminary findings as long as the idea is strong, the approach is well-justified, and the project can realistically generate informative results.

What kinds of studies are allowed to investigate mechanisms of action?

The FOA allows mechanistic research in animal models, studies in healthy human participants, and research in clinical populations. The appropriate model or population should match the scientific question being addressed.

Are technology development and research methods projects allowed, or must the application focus on an intervention study?

Technology development and methodological innovation are explicitly allowed. The FOA supports projects that create new technologies or methods to make music intervention research stronger, more precise, more scalable, or more reproducible. Examples described include tools for delivering interventions, measuring engagement, quantifying musical features, capturing physiological responses, and improving standardization and reproducibility.

What does the phased R61/R33 structure mean?

The award is structured in two phases. The first phase (R61) supports early proof-of-concept work, and the second phase (R33) supports expanded follow-on work if R61 milestones are met. The design is intended to move promising ideas from early mechanistic exploration and development toward pilot-level clinical and translational steps.

How long is the R61 phase and what is it meant to accomplish?

The R61 phase can provide up to two years of support. It is intended for early, proof-of-concept activities such as conducting mechanistic studies, testing key assumptions, generating foundational data, and/or developing enabling technology or innovative research methods. It is not intended to be a full-scale definitive clinical trial.

What are R61 milestones and why do they matter?

Applicants are expected to define clear, measurable milestones for the R61 phase. These milestones are central to the program because they determine whether the project is eligible to transition from R61 to the R33 phase.

What happens if the R61 milestones are met?

If the milestones are successfully achieved, the project can transition to the R33 phase, which can provide up to three additional years of funding for deeper mechanistic work, continued intervention development, and/or pilot clinical studies focused on clinical relevance.

What is the R33 phase intended to support?

The R33 phase is intended for deeper mechanistic investigation, continued intervention development, and/or pilot clinical studies that evaluate clinical relevance. The focus is on building a stronger evidence base and preparing for later-stage clinical research when appropriate.

What types of pilot clinical questions fit the R33 phase?

The FOA highlights pragmatic pilot questions that prepare a program of research for a later, larger clinical trial. Examples include refining and optimizing the intervention, assessing feasibility in a target setting, examining participant adherence and engagement, and identifying appropriate outcome measures and assessment strategies.

Is a clinical trial required under this FOA?

No. The FOA is labeled "clinical trial optional," meaning a clinical trial is permitted but not required. Applicants may propose mechanistic and developmental work without running a trial, as long as the research aligns with the FOA goals.

Why does the FOA emphasize multidisciplinary collaboration?

Music-and-health research often crosses disciplinary boundaries, and the FOA strongly encourages multidisciplinary teams. The expectation is that high-quality mechanistic and clinically relevant music intervention research benefits from a mix of expertise spanning areas such as neuroscience, psychology, physiology, rehabilitation, clinical medicine, music theory/practice, implementation considerations, and data/technology tools.

What kinds of team expertise does the FOA suggest may be relevant?

Examples mentioned include basic scientists, translational researchers, clinicians, music intervention experts, music health professionals, and technology developers, among others.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations, such as state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; independent school districts; public housing authorities; and federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations.

Are institutions serving specific communities explicitly included as eligible applicants?

Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible applicant categories including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. It also notes eligibility of faith-based or community-based organizations and certain regional organizations.

Can foreign (non-U.S.) institutions apply as the applicant organization?

No. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization. However, the FOA states that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations may participate, and foreign components are permitted as defined under NIH policy, allowing international collaborators or sites when justified.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number provided is RFA-AT-19-001.

Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Is there an award ceiling specified in the provided details?

No award ceiling is specified in the information provided.

What was the original closing date listed for this announcement?

The original closing date listed in the provided details was February 28, 2019.

How should applicants think about the overall intent of the FOA?

It is best understood as a structured, milestone-driven pathway intended to fund promising music intervention ideas from early mechanistic exploration and enabling-method development through pilot-level clinical and translational steps, with the goal of clarifying how music interventions work and how they can be meaningfully applied to health.