Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 117

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity "Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-17-117) supports exploratory, early-stage research aimed at reducing health disparities affecting children, particularly those from minority and underserved populations. The program is built on the idea that early childhood development is a critical window for preventing or lessening long-term inequities in health. Because it uses the NIH R21 mechanism, the emphasis is typically on innovative, developmental projects that may be at an earlier proof-of-concept stage than larger research grants, with the goal of generating strong preliminary evidence that can support future, expanded studies.

A central focus of the opportunity is research that looks at why disparities happen and how they can be reduced, using approaches that recognize child health is shaped by many interacting influences. The announcement specifically highlights bio-behavioral research that integrates multiple levels of impact, including biological factors (such as genetics, cellular processes, or organ system functioning), lifestyle and behavior, and environmental conditions (including both physical surroundings and the family environment). It also encourages studies that consider social factors like peer influences, as well as broader economic, institutional, cultural, and family drivers that may contribute to unequal health outcomes. In practical terms, this favors projects that do not treat disparities as coming from a single cause, but instead examine how systems and contexts combine to affect child health and development.

The opportunity also welcomes research that targets health promotion needs for children who already have a diagnosed health condition and/or disability, recognizing that disparities can be amplified when children require ongoing care, specialized services, or consistent access to supportive environments. Another major category includes studies that test, evaluate, translate, and disseminate prevention, health promotion, and intervention strategies. Importantly, these interventions can be delivered not only in traditional settings like clinics and hospitals, but also in non-traditional settings where children and families spend time and where barriers to care might be lower, such as schools, early childcare programs, community centers, faith-based organizations, or other community-based environments. This creates room for research that is more implementation-oriented, including how an intervention is adapted for real-world use, how it reaches underserved families, and what supports are needed for broader uptake.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public, private, nonprofit, and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, and both for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may apply. The notice also calls out additional eligible groups such as 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 (AANAPISISs). Faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are also identified as eligible, signaling an intent to support diverse institutional partnerships and community-rooted research capacity.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant within the education and health funding activity categories and lists CFDA numbers 93.173 and 93.361. The source data lists an award ceiling of $200,000. The original closing date shown is January 24, 2018, and the posting creation date is January 9, 2017, which matters for applicants because it indicates the specific version and timing of the announcement provided in the source text. Overall, the program is geared toward practical, innovative research that can clarify the drivers of pediatric health disparities and develop or test strategies that meaningfully reduce those gaps, especially when interventions are designed to work in the real settings where underserved children live, learn, and receive care.

  • The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.361.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-09.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (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 PA 17 117

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FAQs: NIH Grant "Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21)" (PA-17-117)

What is the purpose of this NIH funding opportunity?

This NIH opportunity supports exploratory, early-stage research aimed at reducing health disparities affecting children, with a particular emphasis on minority and underserved populations. It is designed to generate preliminary evidence that can support larger, future studies.

What is the funding opportunity number and title?

The funding opportunity is titled "Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is PA-17-117.

What does it mean that this is an R21 opportunity?

The R21 mechanism typically supports innovative, developmental projects that are exploratory or at an earlier proof-of-concept stage than larger research grants. The goal is often to produce strong preliminary findings that justify subsequent expanded research.

Why does the announcement emphasize early childhood development?

The opportunity is built on the idea that early childhood development is a critical window for preventing or lessening long-term inequities in health. Research that leverages this developmental window aligns with the program's core rationale.

What kinds of research questions are encouraged?

The announcement encourages research that examines why health disparities happen and how they can be reduced. It favors approaches that recognize child health and development are shaped by multiple interacting influences rather than a single cause.

What does "bio-behavioral" research mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, bio-behavioral research refers to studies that integrate multiple levels of influence, including biological factors, lifestyle and behavior, and environmental conditions, to better understand and address child health disparities.

What biological factors are within scope for this grant?

The announcement specifically mentions biological factors such as genetics, cellular processes, and organ system functioning as examples of biological levels of impact that may be integrated into disparity-focused research.

What environmental conditions does the opportunity highlight?

The opportunity highlights environmental conditions including both physical surroundings and the family environment, reflecting an interest in how children's settings contribute to unequal health outcomes.

Are social and economic influences considered relevant under this opportunity?

Yes. The announcement encourages studies that consider social factors like peer influences and broader drivers such as economic, institutional, cultural, and family factors that may contribute to disparities in child health outcomes.

Does the opportunity support research involving children with diagnosed conditions or disabilities?

Yes. The opportunity welcomes research that targets health promotion needs for children who already have a diagnosed health condition and/or disability, recognizing disparities can be amplified when ongoing care and specialized services are required.

Does this grant support intervention research?

Yes. A major category of supported work includes studies that test, evaluate, translate, and disseminate prevention, health promotion, and intervention strategies intended to reduce disparities.

Where can interventions be delivered under this opportunity?

Interventions can be delivered in traditional settings such as clinics and hospitals, as well as non-traditional settings where children and families spend time and where barriers to care may be lower.

What are examples of non-traditional settings mentioned in the announcement?

The announcement lists settings such as schools, early childcare programs, community centers, faith-based organizations, and other community-based environments.

Is implementation-oriented research appropriate for this funding opportunity?

Yes. The description emphasizes real-world use, including how interventions are adapted for practical delivery, how they reach underserved families, and what supports are needed for broader uptake.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many public, private, nonprofit, and governmental entities, as well as for-profit organizations and small businesses, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations as identified in the announcement.

Are state and local governments eligible applicants?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state governments and local governments such as county, city, or township governments, as well as special district governments.

Are schools and 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 colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, as are Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments.

Are nonprofits eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. Nonprofits are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. The announcement identifies for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses as eligible applicants.

Does the opportunity specifically encourage applications from certain institution types?

It identifies additional eligible groups 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 (AANAPISISs).

Are faith-based and community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are specifically identified as eligible.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are identified as eligible in the announcement.

What type of grant is this classified as?

It is categorized as a discretionary grant and is listed within the education and health funding activity categories.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity lists CFDA numbers 93.173 and 93.361.

What is the award ceiling listed in the source information?

The source information lists an award ceiling of $200,000.

What is the closing date shown in the source information?

The original closing date shown is January 24, 2018.

What is the posting creation date shown in the source information?

The posting creation date shown is January 9, 2017.

What is the overall goal of the program?

Overall, the program is geared toward practical, innovative research that clarifies the drivers of pediatric health disparities and develops or tests strategies that meaningfully reduce those gaps, especially when interventions are designed to work in real-world settings where underserved children live, learn, and receive care.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health

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Previous opportunity: Tobacco Use and HIV in Low and Middle Income Countries (R21)

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Apply for PA 17 117

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 17 117) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R01) Apply for PA 17 118

Funding Number: PA 17 118
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Chronic Condition Self-Management in Children and Adolescents (R21) Apply for PA 17 116

Funding Number: PA 17 116
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $200,000
Reducing Overscreening for Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancers among Older Adults (R01) Apply for PA 17 110

Funding Number: PA 17 110
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Discovering Novel Targets: The Molecular Genetics of Drug Addiction and Related Co-Morbidities (R01) Apply for PA 17 120

Funding Number: PA 17 120
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Basic Mechanisms of Brain Development Mediating Substance Use and Dependence (R01) Apply for PA 17 119

Funding Number: PA 17 119
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R21) Apply for PAR 17 124

Funding Number: PAR 17 124
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $200,000
Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R01) Apply for PAR 17 125

Funding Number: PAR 17 125
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3) Apply for PAR 17 128

Funding Number: PAR 17 128
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Response Assessment (U01) Apply for PAR 17 129

Funding Number: PAR 17 129
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $500,000
Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R21) Apply for PA 17 137

Funding Number: PA 17 137
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $200,000
Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R01) Apply for PA 17 136

Funding Number: PA 17 136
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
NINR Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) Apply for PAR 17 133

Funding Number: PAR 17 133
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $150,000
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) (U54) Apply for RFA NS 17 021

Funding Number: RFA NS 17 021
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $1,200,000
Activities to Promote Technology Research Collaborations (APTRC) for Cancer Research (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 17 143

Funding Number: PA 17 143
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R21) Apply for PAR 17 150

Funding Number: PAR 17 150
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $200,000
Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R01) Apply for PAR 17 151

Funding Number: PAR 17 151
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Advancing Our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptome (R21) Apply for PAR 17 152

Funding Number: PAR 17 152
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $200,000
Advancing our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptomics (R01) Apply for PAR 17 153

Funding Number: PAR 17 153
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 17 157

Funding Number: PA 17 157
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $200,000
Data Science Research: Personal Health Libraries for Consumers and Patients (R01) Apply for PAR 17 159

Funding Number: PAR 17 159
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Education, Health
Funding Amount: $250,000

 

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