Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 401
The Research on Autism Spectrum (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-401) is a discretionary National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant program that supports R01 research projects focused on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The central aim is to fund studies that deepen understanding of ASD and improve real-world outcomes by advancing knowledge in several key areas: the causes and mechanisms of ASD (etiology), how ASD is distributed and changes across populations and over time (epidemiology), how ASD is identified and characterized (diagnosis), and how services are best organized and delivered to meet the needs of autistic individuals and their families (optimal means of service delivery). As indicated by "Clinical Trial Optional," applicants may propose either studies that involve clinical trials or studies that do not, as long as the project fits the scientific goals of the announcement and meets NIH requirements for the chosen study type.
A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply, reflecting NIH's intent to encourage broad participation and varied research settings. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and 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; and public housing authorities, including Indian housing authorities. The announcement also allows applications from nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), as well as for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. In addition, the FOA explicitly highlights other eligible applicant types 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). Faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are also included, which signals openness to multi-site, international, and community-embedded research approaches when scientifically justified.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant mechanism under an NIH program announcement, with activity categorized under environment, health, income security, and social services. Multiple CFDA numbers are associated with the opportunity (93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865), which generally indicates that more than one NIH institute or center may participate or that the announcement aligns with several funding streams across NIH. The opportunity record lists an original closing date of March 31, 2021, and a creation date of November 30, 2017. The listing does not specify an award ceiling, expected number of awards, or other award volume details in the provided source data, so prospective applicants typically would need to consult the full NIH announcement and related institute-specific guidance to understand budget expectations, standard R01 project periods, and any institute preferences or constraints.
Overall, the grant is designed for researchers and organizations proposing rigorous, well-justified projects that can clarify why ASD occurs, how it presents across diverse groups, how to improve identification and measurement, and how to deliver effective services in healthcare, educational, and community settings. The breadth of eligible applicants and the allowance for clinical trials make it suitable for everything from basic and translational studies to applied, systems-level research aimed at improving access, quality, and outcomes of ASD-related supports and interventions.Apply for PA 18 401
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on Autism Spectrum (R01- Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-31. (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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Research on Autism Spectrum (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) (PA-18-401)
1. What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Research on Autism Spectrum (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional).
2. What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA-18-401.
3. Which federal agency runs this program?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program.
4. What type of grant mechanism is used?
The opportunity supports R01 research projects under an NIH program announcement.
5. What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central aim is to fund research that deepens understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and improves real-world outcomes by advancing knowledge in key ASD-related research areas.
6. What research topics are emphasized in the announcement?
The announcement highlights research focused on:
- Etiology: causes and mechanisms of ASD
- Epidemiology: how ASD is distributed across populations and changes over time
- Diagnosis: how ASD is identified and characterized
- Optimal means of service delivery: how services are organized and delivered to best meet the needs of autistic individuals and their families
7. Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional", meaning applicants may propose either clinical trial studies or non-clinical trial studies, as long as the project fits the scientific goals of the announcement and meets NIH requirements for the chosen study type.
8. If clinical trials are optional, what does that mean for applicants?
It means you can apply with a project that includes a clinical trial, or one that does not, provided the proposed research aligns with the ASD-focused aims described in the announcement and follows NIH rules applicable to the study design you choose.
9. Who is eligible to apply?
A wide range of organizations are eligible, including government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, small businesses, tribal entities, and other domestic and international organizations (as listed in the opportunity description).
10. Are state and local governments eligible?
Yes. Eligible government applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments.
11. Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are included among eligible applicants.
12. Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. The FOA lists both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education as eligible.
13. Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement allows applications from nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and also nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.
14. Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as eligible applicants, and it also separately includes small businesses.
15. Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and also tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments.
16. Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes public housing authorities, including Indian housing authorities.
17. Are faith-based and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes faith-based and community-based organizations.
18. Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant types.
19. Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.
20. Does the FOA encourage participation from specific institution types (like MSIs)?
The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for several institution types, including:
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Hispanic-serving institutions
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
21. Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes eligible federal agencies.
22. Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are included among eligible applicants.
23. What broad categories is this opportunity associated with?
The activity is categorized under environment, health, income security, and social services.
24. What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists multiple CFDA numbers: 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, and 93.865.
25. Why might there be multiple CFDA numbers?
The listing notes that multiple CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity, which generally indicates that more than one NIH institute or center may participate or that the announcement aligns with several funding streams across NIH.
26. What are the key dates provided for this opportunity?
The record lists a creation date of November 30, 2017 and an original closing date of March 31, 2021.
27. Is the opportunity currently open based on the provided information?
The provided record lists an original closing date of March 31, 2021. No other current or future due dates are included in the information provided here.
28. Does the provided listing include an award ceiling or funding limit?
No. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling.
29. Does the provided listing include the expected number of awards?
No. The provided source data does not specify the expected number of awards.
30. Does the provided listing include total funding or award volume details?
No. The listing does not include award volume details in the provided information.
31. Where should applicants look for budget expectations or R01 project period norms?
Based on the provided description, prospective applicants would typically need to consult the full NIH announcement and any related institute-specific guidance for budget expectations, standard R01 project periods, and institute preferences or constraints.
32. What kinds of research approaches could be a fit for this FOA?
The description indicates the FOA can support a range of approaches, from studies that clarify why ASD occurs and how it presents across diverse groups, to research aimed at improving identification and measurement, and systems-level work focused on improving access, quality, and outcomes of ASD-related services and supports in healthcare, educational, and community settings.
33. Is this opportunity limited to healthcare settings only?
No. The description explicitly references service delivery in healthcare, educational, and community settings.
34. Does the FOA appear to support multi-site or international research?
Yes. The eligibility list includes many organization types (including community-based organizations and foreign organizations), which the description notes signals openness to multi-site, international, and community-embedded research approaches when scientifically justified.
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Previous opportunity: Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (Parent K25 - No Independent Clinical Trials)
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 18 401) also looked into and applied for these:
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| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 18 835 Funding Number: PAR 18 835 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 836 Funding Number: PAR 18 836 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Early Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 19 121 Funding Number: RFA MH 19 121 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| U.S.-Brazil Collaborative Biomedical Research Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 18 054 Funding Number: RFA AI 18 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanistic Studies of Gene-Environment Interplay in Dental, Oral, Craniofacial, and Other Diseases and Conditions (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 292 Funding Number: PAR 19 292 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Novel and Robust Systems for Mechanistic Studies of Gene-Environment Interplay in Dental, Oral, Craniofacial, and Other Diseases and Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 293 Funding Number: PAR 19 293 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Small Research Grants for Establishing Basic Science-Clinical Collaborations to Understand Structural Birth Defects (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 065 Funding Number: PAR 20 065 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Small Research Grants for Analyses of Down Syndrome-related Research Data for the INCLUDE Project (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 006 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transformative Research Award for the INCLUDE (Investigation of Co-occurring Conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome) Project (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 20 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 20 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 201 Funding Number: PA 21 201 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 200 Funding Number: PA 21 200 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 199 Funding Number: PA 21 199 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Autism Centers of Excellence: Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 22 008 Funding Number: RFA HD 22 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 22 007 Funding Number: RFA HD 22 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 319 Funding Number: PAR 21 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 21 311 Funding Number: PAR 21 311 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 098 Funding Number: PAR 22 098 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 22 097 Funding Number: PAR 22 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Diagnostic Centers of Excellence (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 171 Funding Number: PAR 23 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Implementation Research on Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors among Low- and Middle-Income Country and Tribal Populations Living in City Environments (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 319 Funding Number: PAR 23 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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