Improving Smoking Cessation in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations via Scalable Interventions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 250

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 250

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Improving Smoking Cessation in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations via Scalable Interventions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 18 250) supports early-stage research aimed at reducing smoking-related disparities by improving quit outcomes among people facing socioeconomic disadvantage. The central idea is to fund innovative intervention work that is both tailored to the realities of disadvantaged groups and designed with scalability in mind, meaning the intervention could realistically be expanded and sustained to reach large numbers of people and produce measurable public health impact rather than remaining limited to small, boutique programs.

This FOA is focused on intervention research that either creates new smoking cessation approaches or improves existing ones that are already being delivered at scale. Applicants can propose pilot or exploratory studies that develop and test novel cessation interventions with clear potential for broad implementation. They can also propose projects that enhance currently scaled interventions by improving effectiveness, quality, accessibility, utilization, or cost-effectiveness. In practice, that emphasis on scalability and real-world impact pushes applicants to think beyond whether an intervention can work under ideal conditions and toward whether it can be delivered widely, consistently, and affordably in the settings where disadvantaged populations actually receive services, such as community clinics, safety-net health systems, housing programs, social service organizations, or community-based networks.

The award mechanism is an R21, which is typically used for exploratory and developmental research. Consistent with that purpose, the FOA provides support for up to two years, with an emphasis on protocol development and early phase, pilot, or exploratory projects. The award ceiling listed is $200,000. The opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant within the Education and Health activity area and is associated with CFDA number 93.399. Clinical trials are optional, allowing applicants to propose either clinical trial work or other forms of intervention development and testing that fit the FOA goals.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply. Eligibility includes state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations; public housing and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. (foreign) entities. This broad eligibility is aligned with the goal of reaching populations that experience persistent disadvantage and may be served by varied institutions beyond traditional academic medical centers.

Key administrative details in the source information include the original closing date of June 13, 2019, and a creation date of November 30, 2017. While those dates suggest this specific announcement cycle was time-limited, the summary captures what NIH was seeking to fund through PAR 18 250: practical, promising smoking cessation intervention research that explicitly addresses socioeconomic disadvantage and is designed to be scalable, accessible, and impactful at the population level.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improving Smoking Cessation in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Populations via Scalable Interventions (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): 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-06-13. (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 PAR 18 250

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