Advancing Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Intervention Research (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA CA 22 042

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CA 22 042

The Advancing Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Intervention Research (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (RFA-CA-22-042) is a discretionary NIH grant designed to push forward practical, evidence-based ways to help adolescents quit using tobacco. The core goal is to stimulate research that develops and evaluates tobacco cessation interventions specifically for youth and young adults, with a strong emphasis on ages 14 to 20. The program highlights this age range because it is a major developmental window where tobacco use patterns can become established, and where the current research base and treatment options show notable gaps. The idea is that well-timed intervention during this period can produce the largest long-term benefit by preventing continued nicotine dependence and reducing downstream health harms.

This funding announcement uses the R34 mechanism, which is commonly geared toward early-stage, preparatory, or pilot work that builds a solid foundation for larger-scale efficacy or effectiveness trials later on. The “Clinical Trial Optional” label means applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials, but they are not required to do so. In practice, that flexibility allows projects to range from intervention development and refinement (for example, tailoring messaging, delivery format, or engagement strategies for teens) to feasibility testing and preliminary evaluation of outcomes, depending on what is most appropriate for the specific intervention concept and target population.

The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity areas fall under education and health. The opportunity references CFDA numbers 93.279 and 93.393, which align with NIH program areas relevant to cancer control and broader health research that can include tobacco-related work. The posted award ceiling is $450,000, indicating the maximum amount available per award under the terms described in the listing. The original closing date shown is 2023-10-16, and the opportunity was created on 2022-10-03, which helps situate the timeline for when applications were expected.

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, reflecting an interest in reaching diverse adolescent populations and supporting research capacity across many settings. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The announcement also allows applications from federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Both nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status) and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), as well as small businesses, may apply. In addition, the opportunity explicitly calls out other eligible applicants such as 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, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). That broad applicant pool signals a strong interest in research that can be conducted in the real-world environments where adolescents live, learn, and receive services, including communities that are often underrepresented in clinical and behavioral intervention research.

Overall, this RFA is centered on closing the gap between adolescent tobacco use and the limited set of proven, age-appropriate cessation supports available to them. It encourages applicants to build and test interventions that are developmentally informed for ages 14-20, with the expectation that improving cessation during this risk period can translate into meaningful, long-term public health gains.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Intervention Research (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279, 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-10-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-10-16. (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 $450,000.00 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 RFA CA 22 042

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