Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 311
Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional), funding opportunity number PAR-21-311, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program designed to support research on brain and broader nervous system function and disorders that matter in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The core idea is to fund innovative, collaborative projects that connect investigators in the United States with scientists and institutions in LMIC settings, with the expectation that the science is directly relevant to the needs, contexts, and health priorities of those countries. The scope is intentionally broad across the lifespan, meaning projects can focus on any life stage from early development and childhood through adulthood and aging, as long as the work clearly addresses nervous system health and disease in ways that translate to LMIC realities.
The FOA welcomes proposals spanning a full continuum of research, from basic and mechanistic studies through clinical, translational, and population-based work, all the way to implementation research that tests how to deliver interventions effectively in real-world settings. It explicitly includes neurological disorders as well as mental and behavioral disorders, and it also calls out alcohol and substance use disorders as part of the intended research domain. In practice, this means an application could address anything from the biological underpinnings of a neurodevelopmental condition, to improved detection and care pathways for stroke or epilepsy, to scalable community interventions for depression or harmful alcohol use, to health systems strategies that strengthen access to evidence-based treatment in resource-constrained environments.
A notable feature of this program is its emphasis on genuine international collaboration and capacity-relevant partnership structures. While U.S.-LMIC collaborations are central, the announcement also allows scientists in upper middle-income LMICs (UMICs) to partner directly with investigators at other LMIC institutions, even without a U.S. partner. Eligibility for LMIC and UMIC status is tied to the World Bank income classifications, which the FOA references as the standard for determining country categories. This structure is meant to encourage scientifically strong and locally grounded projects, including regional collaborations where expertise and infrastructure may already exist within LMIC networks.
The funding mechanism is the NIH R01, which is generally used for substantial, hypothesis-driven or well-justified research projects. The listing notes that clinical trials are optional, which means applications may include a clinical trial component if it is appropriate for the proposed aims, but a clinical trial is not required. In other words, applicants can propose observational studies, basic science, methods development, intervention development, efficacy or effectiveness testing, or implementation strategies, as long as the overall project aligns with the FOA purpose and meets NIH requirements for the chosen design.
Eligibility is expansive and includes many types of organizations that commonly apply to NIH, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit entities (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities. It also explicitly recognizes a wide range of mission-driven and community-rooted institutions and organizations as eligible applicants, including 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and tribal governments and tribal organizations (including some categories beyond federally recognized tribal governments). Importantly, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations are also listed among eligible applicant types, reinforcing that international institutions can play a direct role in leading or partnering on proposed work when consistent with NIH policy and the FOA intent.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under NIH, with activity areas broadly associated with health and social services. The FOA is connected to multiple CFDA (assistance listing) numbers, reflecting that more than one NIH institute or center may participate in supporting awards under this announcement. The opportunity was created on September 13, 2021, and the source listing shows an original closing date of December 11, 2023 (with no award ceiling or expected award count specified in the provided extract). Overall, the program is best understood as a flexible NIH R01 platform aimed at advancing globally relevant neuroscience and nervous system disorder research, strengthening cross-country scientific collaboration, and generating knowledge and approaches that can realistically improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and delivery of care in LMIC settings across the entire human lifespan.Apply for PAR 21 311
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867, 93.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-09-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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 this funding opportunity?
Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) is an NIH grant program (FOA number PAR-21-311) that supports research on brain and broader nervous system function and disorders that are important in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Who is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the funding mechanism?
The funding mechanism is the NIH R01, which is commonly used for substantial research projects that are hypothesis-driven or otherwise strongly justified.
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are optional. Applications may include a clinical trial component if it fits the proposed aims, but a clinical trial is not required.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program aims to fund innovative, collaborative projects that advance brain and nervous system research in ways that are directly relevant to the needs, contexts, and health priorities of LMICs, with an emphasis on partnerships that support meaningful international collaboration.
What does "across the lifespan" mean in this FOA?
"Across the lifespan" means projects may focus on any life stage, from early development and childhood through adulthood and aging, as long as the work clearly addresses nervous system health and disease in LMIC-relevant ways.
What research areas are included?
The scope is broad and includes research on neurological disorders and mental and behavioral disorders. Alcohol and substance use disorders are also explicitly included as part of the intended research domain.
What types of studies or approaches does the FOA allow?
The FOA welcomes proposals across the full continuum of research, including basic and mechanistic research, clinical and translational studies, population-based research, and implementation research focused on delivering interventions effectively in real-world settings.
Can the project be focused on implementation and real-world delivery of interventions?
Yes. The FOA explicitly welcomes implementation research that tests how to deliver interventions effectively in real-world settings, including health systems and delivery strategies suitable for resource-constrained environments.
Does the project need to be relevant to LMIC realities?
Yes. A core expectation is that the proposed science is directly relevant to LMIC needs, contexts, and health priorities and can translate to real LMIC settings.
Is international collaboration required?
The program emphasizes genuine international collaboration, particularly connections between U.S. investigators and scientists and institutions in LMIC settings. The opportunity also supports certain LMIC-to-LMIC partnership structures as described in the FOA summary provided.
Can an upper middle-income country (UMIC) LMIC partner directly with another LMIC without a U.S. partner?
Yes. The FOA allows scientists in upper middle-income LMICs (UMICs) to partner directly with investigators at other LMIC institutions even without a U.S. partner, supporting regional and LMIC-network collaborations.
How is LMIC or UMIC status determined?
LMIC and UMIC status is tied to World Bank income classifications, which the FOA references as the standard for determining country categories.
What kinds of applicant organizations are eligible?
Eligibility is broad and includes many NIH-eligible organization types such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit entities (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government.
Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations are listed among eligible applicant types, reflecting that international institutions may lead or partner when consistent with NIH policy and the FOA intent.
Are community-rooted and mission-driven institutions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly recognizes a range of mission-driven and community-rooted organizations and institutions as eligible applicants, including faith-based and community-based organizations.
Are minority-serving institutions eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes multiple categories of minority-serving institutions, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Tribal Colleges and Universities (including TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and others described in the provided information.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes tribal governments and tribal organizations among eligible applicant types, including some categories beyond federally recognized tribal governments (as described in the provided summary).
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among eligible applicant types.
What government entities are eligible?
Various levels of government are eligible, including state, county, city/township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities, and eligible federal agencies.
What kinds of projects might be a good fit under this FOA?
Examples consistent with the stated scope include studies of biological underpinnings of neurodevelopmental conditions, improved detection and care pathways for neurological conditions such as stroke or epilepsy, scalable community interventions for depression or harmful alcohol use, and health systems strategies to improve access to evidence-based care in resource-constrained settings.
Does the FOA focus only on clinical research?
No. The FOA supports a wide range of research from basic and mechanistic studies through clinical, translational, population-based, and implementation research.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing situation for this opportunity?
The FOA is connected to multiple CFDA (assistance listing) numbers, indicating that more than one NIH institute or center may participate in supporting awards under this announcement.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on September 13, 2021.
What is the closing date shown in the provided information?
The source listing shows an original closing date of December 11, 2023.
Is there an award ceiling or an expected number of awards listed here?
No. The provided extract does not specify an award ceiling or an expected award count.
How is this opportunity described administratively?
It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity under NIH, with activity areas broadly associated with health and social services.
What is the program trying to achieve overall?
Overall, it functions as a flexible NIH R01 platform to advance globally relevant neuroscience and nervous system disorder research, strengthen cross-country scientific collaboration, and generate knowledge and approaches that can realistically improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care delivery in LMIC settings across the lifespan.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 21 311) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 098 Funding Number: PAR 22 098 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 22 097 Funding Number: PAR 22 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Diagnostic Centers of Excellence (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 171 Funding Number: PAR 23 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Implementation Research on Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors among Low- and Middle-Income Country and Tribal Populations Living in City Environments (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 319 Funding Number: PAR 23 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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