Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) | PAR 21 311

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.

• 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.

Apply for PAR 21 311

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