HEAL Initiative Partnerships to Advance INterdisciplinary (PAIN) Training in Clinical Pain Research: The HEAL PAIN Cohort Program (T90/R90 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA NS 24 015

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 24 015

The HEAL Initiative Partnerships to Advance INterdisciplinary (PAIN) Training in Clinical Pain Research opportunity, known as the HEAL PAIN Cohort Program, is an NIH-funded training grant designed to strengthen the clinical pain research workforce by building a pipeline of well-mentored, interdisciplinary postdoctoral researchers. The program uses the T90/R90 mechanism (and does not allow independent clinical trials), with the overall goal of preparing trainees to become independent investigators who can improve clinical pain management through rigorous research. NIH intends to support four awards under this initiative, each centered on robust postdoctoral fellowship training in areas of clinical pain management where additional research capacity is needed.

This funding uses the NRSA-based T90/R90 structure, which is meant for comprehensive, interdisciplinary research training programs that can leverage existing institutional strengths and cross-disciplinary infrastructure. In this specific HEAL-focused version, the emphasis is on postdoctoral trainees. The program distinguishes between T90 trainees, who are eligible for NRSA support, and R90 trainees, who are not NRSA-eligible (including individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents). Each award may support a limited number of R90 trainees, with a cap of one R90 trainee per award per year, which allows programs to include exceptional candidates who otherwise could not be supported under standard NRSA rules.

Trainees supported through this program can come from multiple backgrounds, but they must be aligned with clinical pain research. Eligible trainees may already hold a clinical degree (for example, in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, psychology, physical therapy, or other clinical disciplines), or they may hold a non-clinical doctoral degree while demonstrating a clear interest in conducting clinical pain research. The central expectation is that the training environment will equip fellows with the research skills, mentorship, and professional development needed to transition into independent research careers, particularly in academic or government settings where they can contribute to the evidence base for pain care and policy.

A defining feature of this opportunity compared to more common institutional training grants (such as the T32) is the explicit support for mentor effort. The T90/R90 mechanism allows the program to cover a dedicated portion of mentors time (described here as 10 percent) specifically for mentoring and training activities. This is intended to strengthen the quality and consistency of mentorship, expand training capacity, and ensure that senior investigators have protected time to guide the next generation of clinical pain researchers.

The program is also structured as a cohort-based network rather than a set of isolated institutional fellowships. Funded T90/R90 programs are expected to coordinate closely with the HEAL R24 Coordinating Center so that trainees participate in network-wide activities such as collaborative events, webinars, relationship-building across basic and clinical science training programs, and an annual workshop. This networked approach is meant to encourage interdisciplinary thinking, foster multi-site collaborations, and expose trainees to a broader community of pain researchers than they would typically encounter within a single department or institution.

NIH indicates it will prioritize funding to universities and institutions that do not currently have a pain-focused T32 and/or have not previously received funding for a pain T32. In practice, this priority is meant to expand the national footprint of pain research training programs, diversify training locations, and build capacity at institutions that may have strong potential but have not historically had access to pain-specific institutional training support. Applicants are also encouraged to partner with another university or institution to deepen the interdisciplinary nature of the program, broaden the mentor pool, and provide trainees with exposure to multiple research cultures, clinical environments, and methodological approaches.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations. Examples listed include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses as a separate category), small businesses, and various levels of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The opportunity also explicitly highlights a range of institution types and community-connected organizations as eligible or encouraged participants, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, along with faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies. At the same time, foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, reinforcing that the program is intended to build U.S.-based training capacity.

Administratively, the opportunity is run by NIH under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-NS-24-015 and falls within the federal assistance listing numbers associated with NIH programs. The original closing date provided is September 26, 2023. While the notice indicates an intent to make four awards, other typical details like a stated award ceiling are not specified in the provided source text. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted workforce-development investment under the HEAL Initiative, using a cohort model and dedicated mentorship support to train postdoctoral fellows who will advance clinical pain research and ultimately contribute to better pain management practices.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HEAL Initiative Partnerships to Advance INterdisciplinary (PAIN) Training in Clinical Pain Research: The HEAL PAIN Cohort Program (T90/R90 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.213, 93.273, 93.279, 93.395, 93.398, 93.846, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-05-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-26. (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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