Integrating Mental Health Care into Health Care Systems and Non-Health Settings in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 201

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 201

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is soliciting research grant applications under PAR-25-201 titled "Integrating Mental Health Care into Health Care Systems and Non-Health Settings in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)." This opportunity focuses on implementation research, meaning it is less about inventing brand-new clinical treatments and more about figuring out how to successfully put proven or promising mental health care approaches into real-world practice at scale. The central goal is to develop, refine, and rigorously test theory-based strategies that make it practical to integrate mental health services into routine health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including stronger links between mental and physical health care, as well as delivery in community settings such as schools, community centers, and other non-health venues connected to health systems.

A major emphasis of the NOFO is on building integrated care models that are not only effective, but also scalable and financially sustainable. NIMH is looking for applications that address the real barriers that prevent integration from working in day-to-day systems, such as limited workforce capacity, weak referral pathways, fragmented service delivery, stigma, inconsistent quality, and low demand or low utilization even where services exist. Projects are expected to generate practical evidence about how to increase access and availability of mental health care and improve quality, while also boosting demand and actual service use. In other words, the intent is to move beyond small pilot projects by producing implementation knowledge that can inform broader rollout and long-term maintenance of integrated mental health care within LMIC contexts.

The NOFO explicitly invites innovative, theory-driven implementation strategies. That typically implies applications should be grounded in established implementation science frameworks and should test strategies that can change provider behavior, improve organizational readiness, strengthen supervision and quality improvement, make task-sharing workable, integrate screening and referral into routine workflows, or align financing and governance so services can continue after research funding ends. The "Clinical Trial Optional" label signals that applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the research question, but they are not required to. This is helpful for implementation research because some studies may use cluster randomized designs, stepped-wedge trials, pragmatic trials, or hybrid effectiveness-implementation approaches, while others may use robust quasi-experimental or mixed-method designs that still answer implementation questions.

Another key objective is long-term capacity strengthening in LMICs. NIMH expects the research to contribute to sustainable research capability within LMIC institutions, including strengthening local expertise, infrastructure, and leadership in mental health implementation research. The NOFO also highlights "multidirectional knowledge exchange," which reflects a two-way learning model: LMIC settings generate innovations and insights that can inform broader global mental health practice, and high-income country (HIC) partners can contribute complementary expertise, methods, or resources. To support that vision, NIMH encourages partnerships between LMIC and HIC institutions, suggesting that collaborative, equitable research teams with meaningful LMIC leadership will be viewed as aligned with the program's intent.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. The listing includes state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations and tribal governments that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also calls out additional eligible applicant types such as 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, and U.S. territories or possessions. This wide eligibility reflects the reality that integrated care often requires cross-sector partnerships, including education systems and community-based organizations, not only hospitals or ministries of health.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant mechanism using the NIH R01 funding instrument, with activity categories in education and health. The CFDA/assistance listing numbers provided are 93.242 and 93.393. The funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-12, and the original closing date is listed as 2028-01-07, indicating a multi-year window during which applications may be accepted on applicable receipt dates. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which is common for NIH announcements where budgets depend on project scope and available appropriations.

Overall, this NOFO is best understood as support for practical, high-impact research that helps LMIC health systems and community platforms reliably deliver mental health care as part of routine services. Competitive applications will typically show a clear path to real-world uptake, measurable improvements in access and quality, and a credible plan for scale-up and sustainability, while also strengthening local research capacity and fostering meaningful collaboration between LMIC and HIC partners.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Integrating Mental Health Care into Health Care Systems and Non-Health Settings in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• 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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