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.Apply for RFA NS 24 015
- 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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FAQs: HEAL Initiative Partnerships to Advance INterdisciplinary (PAIN) Training in Clinical Pain Research (HEAL PAIN Cohort Program)
What is the HEAL PAIN Cohort Program?
The HEAL Initiative Partnerships to Advance INterdisciplinary (PAIN) Training in Clinical Pain Research opportunity (the HEAL PAIN Cohort Program) is an NIH-funded training grant designed to strengthen the clinical pain research workforce. It focuses on building a pipeline of well-mentored, interdisciplinary postdoctoral researchers who can become independent investigators and improve clinical pain management through rigorous research.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The overall goal is to prepare postdoctoral trainees to transition into independent research careers in clinical pain research, particularly in academic or government settings, where they can contribute to the evidence base for pain care and policy.
What funding mechanism does this program use?
This opportunity uses the NIH T90/R90 mechanism (an NRSA-based structure intended for comprehensive, interdisciplinary research training programs). This specific HEAL-focused version emphasizes postdoctoral training in clinical pain research.
Are independent clinical trials allowed under this opportunity?
No. The program uses the T90/R90 mechanism and does not allow independent clinical trials.
How many awards does NIH intend to make?
NIH indicates it intends to support four awards under this initiative.
What kinds of training programs are expected to be supported?
Each award is expected to center on robust postdoctoral fellowship training in areas of clinical pain management where additional research capacity is needed. The emphasis is on building interdisciplinary clinical pain research expertise through strong mentorship and professional development.
Who are T90 trainees and what makes them distinct?
T90 trainees are postdoctoral trainees who are eligible for NRSA support. In this program structure, T90 slots are used for trainees who meet NRSA eligibility requirements (including U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, consistent with NRSA rules as referenced in the opportunity description).
Who are R90 trainees and why does the program include them?
R90 trainees are trainees who are not NRSA-eligible, including individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The R90 component allows programs to include exceptional candidates who could not be supported under standard NRSA eligibility rules.
Is there a limit on how many R90 trainees can be supported?
Yes. Each award may support a limited number of R90 trainees, with a cap of one R90 trainee per award per year.
What career stage is the program focused on?
The HEAL PAIN Cohort Program is focused on postdoctoral trainees, with the intent of developing a strong pipeline of early-career researchers prepared to become independent investigators in clinical pain research.
What trainee backgrounds are considered relevant or eligible?
Trainees can come from multiple backgrounds as long as they are aligned with clinical pain research. Eligible trainees may already hold a clinical degree (for example, medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, psychology, physical therapy, or other clinical disciplines) or hold a non-clinical doctoral degree while demonstrating a clear interest in conducting clinical pain research.
Does a trainee need to have a clinical degree to participate?
No. The description indicates trainees may hold a non-clinical doctoral degree, as long as they demonstrate a clear interest in conducting clinical pain research.
What is the defining feature of this opportunity compared to a typical institutional training grant like a T32?
A defining feature described for this opportunity is the explicit support for mentor effort. The T90/R90 mechanism allows the program to cover a dedicated portion of mentors' time (described as 10 percent) specifically for mentoring and training activities, helping strengthen mentorship quality and expand training capacity.
How does the program support mentorship?
The program allows support for a dedicated portion of mentors' time (described as 10 percent) for mentoring and training activities. This is intended to provide protected time for senior investigators to guide trainees and ensure consistent, high-quality mentorship.
Is this program intended to be cohort-based or institution-by-institution?
It is designed as a cohort-based network rather than a set of isolated institutional fellowships. Programs are expected to participate in network-wide activities and coordination.
What is the role of the HEAL R24 Coordinating Center?
Funded T90/R90 programs are expected to coordinate closely with the HEAL R24 Coordinating Center. This coordination is intended to support network-wide trainee activities such as collaborative events, webinars, relationship-building across basic and clinical science training programs, and an annual workshop.
What kinds of network-wide trainee activities are expected?
The opportunity description highlights collaborative events, webinars, relationship-building across basic and clinical science training programs, and an annual workshop as examples of network-wide activities trainees would participate in through the cohort model.
Why does NIH emphasize a networked cohort model?
The networked approach is meant to encourage interdisciplinary thinking, foster multi-site collaborations, and expose trainees to a broader community of pain researchers than they might typically encounter within a single department or institution.
Does NIH indicate any institutional funding priorities?
Yes. 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. The stated intent is to expand the national footprint of pain research training programs and build capacity at institutions that have not historically had pain-specific institutional training support.
Are partnerships with other universities or institutions encouraged?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to partner with another university or institution to deepen interdisciplinarity, broaden the mentor pool, and provide trainees exposure to multiple research cultures, clinical environments, and methodological approaches.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations. Examples 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 government entities at various levels (state, county, city/township, special districts). The listing also includes independent school districts and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Are certain institution types specifically highlighted as eligible or encouraged?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly highlights or encourages participation from a range of institution types and community-connected organizations, including 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.
Can foreign organizations apply?
No. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, reinforcing that the program is intended to build U.S.-based training capacity.
What is the official funding opportunity number?
The NIH Funding Opportunity Number provided is RFA-NS-24-015.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date provided in the source text is September 26, 2023.
Is an award ceiling specified in the provided information?
No. The provided source text notes an intent to make four awards, but it does not specify an award ceiling or similar funding limit details.
How should this opportunity be understood in the context of NIH and HEAL?
Based on the description provided, 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 contribute to better pain management practices.
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