Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 144
The NIH funding opportunity PAR 21-144, titled "Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)," supports R01 grant projects that dig into how social relationships shape human health across the full spectrum from wellbeing to illness and recovery. The focus is on explaining underlying mechanisms and pathways, meaning applicants are expected to go beyond simply showing that social connectedness or isolation correlates with outcomes. Instead, projects should clarify how and why these social factors exert their effects, including the processes that unfold over time (trajectories) and the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms that link relationships to measurable health or behavioral changes.
A central requirement is that proposed studies must be basic experimental research with humans that meets NIH criteria for a clinical trial. In practical terms, that means the study must prospectively assign human participants to one or more conditions, where the independent variable is deliberately manipulated by the researchers, and then assess biomedical and/or behavioral outcomes. The intent is fundamental understanding rather than immediate product development or a near-term applied intervention. NIH frames these as prospective basic science studies involving human participants that still count as clinical trials under NIH policy because participants are assigned to conditions and outcomes are measured.
The kinds of questions that fit this announcement typically involve experimentally testing components of social connection or isolation and observing their effects on human functioning. For example, a project might manipulate aspects of social interaction, perceived belonging, exclusion, support, or social threat, then measure downstream changes in stress physiology, immune markers, sleep, pain sensitivity, affect regulation, cognitive performance, decision-making, or health-relevant behaviors. The common thread is that the work is designed to reveal fundamental biopsychosocial principles: the biological and behavioral responses to social environments, the psychological processes that mediate those responses, and the conditions under which social ties protect health or social isolation increases risk.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed 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 tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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 foreign (non-U.S.) entities.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health, and it spans multiple NIH program areas as reflected by the CFDA numbers provided (93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.399, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867). The original closing date shown in the source data is 2021-03-17, and the award ceiling and expected award count are not specified in the provided listing. Overall, the FOA is aimed at rigorous experimental human research that can identify causal pathways linking social connectedness or isolation to health-related biological and behavioral outcomes, improving scientific understanding of how social life gets "under the skin" to influence illness risk, resilience, recovery, and wellbeing.Apply for PAR 21 144
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)" 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, 93.242, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.399, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-02-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-17. (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)
What is NIH PAR 21-144?
PAR 21-144 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)." It supports R01 research projects focused on understanding how social connectedness and social isolation influence human health, wellbeing, illness, and recovery.
What is the main scientific focus of this funding opportunity?
The main focus is on explaining mechanisms and pathways that link social relationships (connectedness or isolation) to measurable health-related biological and/or behavioral outcomes. Projects are expected to move beyond documenting correlations and instead clarify how and why these social factors produce effects, including processes that unfold over time (trajectories).
Does this opportunity fund correlational or observational studies?
Based on the description provided, the emphasis is on experimental work that identifies causal pathways. The opportunity highlights that applicants are expected to go beyond simply showing correlations and should instead experimentally test how social connectedness or isolation affects outcomes through specific mechanisms.
What type of grant mechanism does PAR 21-144 use?
This opportunity supports the R01 grant mechanism.
Are studies required to be basic experimental research with humans?
Yes. A central requirement is that proposed studies must be basic experimental research with humans and must meet NIH criteria for a clinical trial.
Why does NIH consider these studies "clinical trials"?
NIH considers these studies clinical trials because they prospectively assign human participants to one or more conditions, deliberately manipulate an independent variable, and assess biomedical and/or behavioral outcomes. Even though the intent is basic science rather than product development, NIH policy still classifies them as clinical trials when those elements are present.
What does "prospectively assign human participants to one or more conditions" mean in this FOA?
It means researchers must assign participants in advance to different experimental conditions (for example, different social interaction conditions), rather than only measuring naturally occurring differences in social connectedness or isolation.
What kinds of independent variables might be manipulated in studies under this FOA?
Examples described include experimentally manipulating aspects of social interaction or social experience such as perceived belonging, exclusion, support, or social threat, and then examining downstream effects on health-related outcomes.
What kinds of outcomes are relevant for PAR 21-144?
The FOA describes biomedical and/or behavioral outcomes. Example outcome domains mentioned include stress physiology, immune markers, sleep, pain sensitivity, affect regulation, cognitive performance, decision-making, and health-relevant behaviors.
Is the intent to develop an intervention or product for near-term use?
No. The intent is described as fundamental understanding rather than immediate product development or a near-term applied intervention. The studies are framed as prospective basic science research in humans.
What does "biopsychosocial" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this context, "biopsychosocial" refers to the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms that connect social relationships to measurable changes in health or behavior, including how these processes unfold over time.
What kinds of research questions are a good fit for this FOA?
Research questions that fit typically involve experimentally testing components of social connection or isolation and measuring their effects on human functioning, with an emphasis on revealing underlying biopsychosocial principles and causal mechanisms.
What does the FOA mean by "mechanisms and pathways"?
It refers to the mediating biological, psychological, and social processes that explain how social connectedness or isolation leads to downstream changes in measurable biomedical and/or behavioral outcomes, including how those processes may develop across time (trajectories).
What does the FOA mean by "trajectories"?
It refers to processes that unfold over time, such as how the effects of social connectedness or isolation on health-related outcomes develop, persist, or change across repeated measurements or time periods.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed 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 tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes foreign (non-U.S.) entities.
Are small businesses eligible to apply?
Yes. Small businesses are included in the eligibility list.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed separately as eligible.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status?
No. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible, and tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments are also listed.
Are institutions serving specific populations highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are highlighted as eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among additional eligible groups.
What federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Does the opportunity span multiple NIH program areas?
Yes. It spans multiple NIH program areas as reflected by the CFDA numbers provided in the listing.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The listing provides these CFDA numbers: 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.279, 93.307, 93.361, 93.399, 93.853, 93.865, 93.866, 93.867.
What was the closing date shown in the source information?
The original closing date shown in the provided source data is 2021-03-17.
Is the award ceiling specified?
No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.
Is the expected number of awards specified?
No. The expected award count is not specified in the provided listing.
What is the overall goal of the funded research?
The overall goal is to support rigorous experimental human research that can identify causal pathways linking social connectedness or isolation to health-related biological and behavioral outcomes, improving scientific understanding of how social life influences illness risk, resilience, recovery, and wellbeing.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 145 Funding Number: PAR 21 145 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Firearm Injury and Mortality Prevention Research (R01Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 192 Funding Number: PAR 21 192 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Firearm Injury and Mortality Prevention Research (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 191 Funding Number: PAR 21 191 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Integration and Analysis of BRAIN Initiative Data (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 21 135 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 135 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 163 Funding Number: PAR 21 163 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Secondary Analysis and Archiving of BRAIN Initiative Data (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 21 130 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 130 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (U44 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 162 Funding Number: PAR 21 162 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Interaction Targeted Epidemiology (LITE-2): To Advance HIV Prevention (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AI 21 018 Funding Number: RFA AI 21 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Reagent Resources for Brain Cell Type-Specific Access and Manipulation to Broaden Distribution of Enabling Technologies for Neuroscience (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 21 180 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 180 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (U44 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 233 Funding Number: PAR 21 233 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 21 175 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 175 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 21 023 Funding Number: RFA NS 21 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Clinical Studies to Advance Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA NS 21 024 Funding Number: RFA NS 21 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Academic Research Enhancement Award for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 21 154 Funding Number: PAR 21 154 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Transformative Technologies for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 21 027 Funding Number: RFA NS 21 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 21 026 Funding Number: RFA NS 21 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 281 Funding Number: PAR 21 281 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 - Basic Experimental Studies with Humans) Apply for PAR 21 280 Funding Number: PAR 21 280 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Research on the Ethical Implications of Advancements in Neurotechnology and Brain Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 21 205 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 205 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN): Specialized Collaboratory on Human, Non-human Primate, and Mouse Brain Cell Atlases (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 21 236 Funding Number: RFA MH 21 236 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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