Accelerating Basic and Translational Research in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PA 18 719

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 719

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Accelerating Basic and Translational Research in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-719) is a discretionary grant program designed to speed up scientific discovery in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). It uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism and sits within the health funding activity category (CFDA 93.846). The overarching goal is to deepen understanding of what causes HS and how it develops at the cellular and molecular levels, then use those insights to move the field toward better ways to control the disease and improve patient outcomes.

The scientific focus is on basic and translational mechanistic research. NIH is looking for projects that investigate HS etiology and disease-driving mechanisms, including environmental influences and a wide range of biological contributors such as genetic and epigenetic factors, immune pathways, and other molecular and cellular processes that may cause HS or be associated with it. The announcement explicitly encourages studies that can clarify how HS begins, what sustains inflammation and tissue damage, and which pathways or targets might be most promising for future therapeutic development. A key theme is pushing knowledge from bench research toward clinical relevance, so projects that connect mechanistic findings to tangible translational applications (for example, identifying actionable pathways, biomarkers, or candidate targets) align well with the intent of the FOA.

In terms of approach, the FOA supports a broad range of mechanistic study designs using both animal and human models. This can include laboratory-based experiments, preclinical model development or refinement, and translational investigations using human-derived samples or systems that help explain disease biology. The announcement emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, reflecting NIH interest in bringing together expertise across immunology, genetics, dermatology, microbiology, systems biology, bioinformatics, pathology, and related fields. The idea is that coordinated, cross-disciplinary teams can accelerate the cycle of discovery and enable faster exchange of insights that can ultimately inform therapy development, even if the funded work itself is not testing interventions in patients.

At the same time, the FOA draws clear boundaries around what it will not support. It is not intended for applications that propose epidemiology studies, and it does not support clinical trials (as reflected in the title "Clinical Trial Not Allowed"). In practice, that means applicants should avoid proposing prospective intervention studies in humans that evaluate the efficacy of a treatment or prevention strategy. The emphasis is instead on mechanistic research that builds the foundation for later clinical testing under separate trial-appropriate funding opportunities.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can carry out biomedical research. Eligible applicants 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; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including 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, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This broad eligibility is consistent with NIH’s intent to draw on diverse institutions and research environments to move HS science forward.

Administrative details included in the source information indicate the opportunity was created on March 28, 2018, with an original closing date listed as September 7, 2021, and an award ceiling of $500,000. The FOA is structured as a grant funding instrument, and while the provided data do not specify the expected number of awards, the central takeaway is that NIH is committing resources to expand the mechanistic and translational evidence base for HS, prioritizing studies that explain disease drivers and set the stage for future therapeutic strategies without directly running clinical trials or population-level epidemiologic investigations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Accelerating Basic and Translational Research in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (R01 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): 93.846.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-03-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-09-07. (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 $500,000.00 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.

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