Studies at Periviable Gestation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 097

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 097

Studies at Periviable Gestation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-18-097; CFDA: 93.865) designed to support early-stage, exploratory research that strengthens the evidence base for clinical decision-making around periviable gestational age. The central intent is to fund projects that can inform and improve therapies, treatment strategies, and clinical management for both pregnant patients and their infants when delivery is occurring at the edge of viability. In practical terms, the FOA aims to encourage research that reduces uncertainty in this high-risk window by generating data that clinicians, patients, and families can use to guide care, including approaches that affect maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes, or both.

The funding mechanism is an R21, which generally supports developmental or pilot work that can test new ideas, generate preliminary data, and lay groundwork for larger studies. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if appropriate, but non-trial clinical research, translational work, or other study designs that build actionable evidence in periviable care are also responsive. The award ceiling listed is $200,000, reflecting the smaller, proof-of-concept nature typical of R21 projects. The opportunity was created on November 2, 2017, with an original closing date of September 7, 2018.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public, private, nonprofit, and governmental entities. Eligible applicants explicitly include state, county, and city or township governments; 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility signals NIH interest in drawing on diverse research settings, populations, and institutional strengths to address periviable care challenges.

Overall, the opportunity is focused on producing credible, clinically useful evidence in an area where decisions are often time-sensitive and outcomes can be highly variable. Competitive applications would typically be expected to define a clear periviable clinical problem, propose a feasible study that fits the R21 scope and budget cap, and show how the resulting data could directly inform treatment approaches or future definitive trials aimed at improving maternal and infant outcomes at the threshold of viability.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Studies at Periviable Gestation (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-09-07. (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 $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 18 097

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