Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) | PAR 21 144

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.

• 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.

Apply for PAR 21 144

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