Initiation of a Mental Health Family Navigator Model to Promote Early Access, Engagement and Coordination of Needed Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents (R01- Clincal Trial Required) | PAR 18 428

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 428

This funding opportunity (PAR 18-428) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01 grant that supports clinical trial research to create and rigorously test a "family navigator" model aimed at improving how quickly children and adolescents get connected to appropriate mental health care once early symptoms appear. The central idea is to reduce the common delays and drop-offs that happen between problem recognition, first contact with services, treatment entry, and ongoing engagement. NIMH is looking for studies that not only test whether a navigator approach works, but also examine how it can be implemented in real-world settings so it can be adopted and sustained beyond the research period.

NIMH defines a family navigator as either a health care professional or a trained paraprofessional who uses structured strategies to help families move efficiently through the mental health care system. In practice, the navigator is expected to do more than provide information; they should actively and rapidly engage youth and caregivers, help them overcome logistical and system barriers, coordinate among multiple providers or service sectors, and track progress over time. This includes ongoing monitoring of symptoms and outcomes, with adjustments as needed to keep the child on an effective care pathway. The role is designed to be hands-on and continuous, rather than a one-time referral or brief case management contact.

The FOA emphasizes early identification and early linkage to care. The target population is children and adolescents experiencing early signs of mental health problems, with the goal of connecting them to the right level of care as soon as symptoms are detected. NIMH specifically highlights interest in navigator models that (1) coordinate needed care strategies across settings and providers, (2) determine a personalized match to the appropriate "dose" of services (amount, frequency, and intensity), and (3) use novel technologies to help track and monitor clinical, functional, and behavioral trajectories. That technology component could include tools that support measurement-based care, symptom monitoring platforms, digital check-ins, data dashboards for navigators, or other practical systems that improve follow-through and coordination.

Because this is an R01 clinical trial required announcement, applicants are expected to propose a full-scale, hypothesis-driven study that tests effectiveness and implementation. The focus is not simply on developing a program description; it is on evaluating outcomes in a way that can inform real decisions about whether navigator models should be deployed, for whom, in what settings, and with what resources. Alongside youth outcomes, the implementation emphasis implies attention to factors such as feasibility, fidelity, acceptability, uptake, and coordination processes across service systems. The FOA was also released in parallel with a companion R34 (PAR-18-429) intended for pilot work that would prepare teams for the kind of larger, more definitive study expected under this R01.

In terms of who can apply, eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations: state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); 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 FOA also explicitly calls out a range of mission-relevant institutions and organizations as eligible applicants, 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 (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, foreign entities are not eligible to apply, foreign institutions are not eligible, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are not allowed.

Administrative details in the source data identify it as a discretionary grant in the health funding category (CFDA 93.242), issued by NIH, created on 2017-12-05, with an award ceiling listed as $500,000. The original closing date shown is 2021-01-07, which means it is important for applicants to verify current availability, reissues, or updated due dates in NIH systems if they are planning a submission now. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward building evidence for a practical, scalable navigation approach that helps families reach appropriate mental health services earlier, stay engaged, and receive coordinated care that is monitored and adjusted over time.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Initiation of a Mental Health Family Navigator Model to Promote Early Access, Engagement and Coordination of Needed Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents (R01- Clincal Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (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 $500,000.00 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 18 428

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