Planning Grants for Pragmatic Research in Healthcare Settings to Improve Diabetes and Obesity Prevention and Care (R34) | PAR 17 180

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 180

Planning Grants for Pragmatic Research in Healthcare Settings to Improve Diabetes and Obesity Prevention and Care (R34) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity designed to help teams build and test early-stage, real-world approaches for improving how diabetes and obesity are prevented and treated in routine healthcare. The emphasis is on pragmatic research, meaning projects should be built for the settings where patients already receive everyday medical care, and the strategies tested should be realistic for clinics, health systems, or similar care environments to carry out and sustain. Rather than supporting a large definitive clinical trial right away, this R34 mechanism focuses on planning, development, and pilot testing so applicants can generate practical evidence and refine methods before moving to a larger, full-scale study.

The core purpose of the program is to encourage applicants to develop and pilot test approaches that improve diabetes and obesity prevention and/or treatment in ways that can actually be implemented in healthcare workflows. The FOA specifically calls for practical and sustainable strategies that either improve processes of care (for example, how screening, referrals, follow-up, medication management, lifestyle counseling, or care coordination are delivered) and/or improve health outcomes for people who already have diabetes or obesity, as well as individuals at risk for these conditions. The intended end point is not just a promising pilot result, but a set of actionable pilot data and implementation lessons that can support a subsequent full-scale trial aimed at changing routine practice and potentially informing healthcare policy related to diabetes and obesity prevention or management.

This opportunity sits in the NIH assistance listing area associated with health and nutrition (CFDA 93.847) and uses the grant funding instrument under the R34 activity type, which is commonly used for planning and preliminary work leading to a larger trial. The award information provided includes an award ceiling of $150,000. The FOA listing also shows an original closing date of January 24, 2018, and a creation date of February 28, 2017, indicating this is a specific published announcement (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 17 180) from that period.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government entities. 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; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those categories); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also allows for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, along with other unspecified applicants that fit NIH eligibility rules. In addition, the announcement highlights several categories of other eligible applicants, including 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the FOA places clear restrictions on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. In addition, foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. In practical terms, the applicant organization and the work supported by the award must be based in the United States (including U.S. territories or possessions where applicable), without foreign components included as part of the funded project structure.

Overall, this R34 opportunity is aimed at teams that want to take an intervention idea for diabetes and/or obesity prevention or care, adapt it to the realities of healthcare delivery, and run a pilot that produces credible, decision-ready evidence. The program is structured so that a successful pilot positions the investigators to compete for a later, larger-scale pragmatic trial that tests effectiveness in routine practice, supports broader implementation, and contributes evidence that can influence health system decisions and policy.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Planning Grants for Pragmatic Research in Healthcare Settings to Improve Diabetes and Obesity Prevention and Care (R34)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-02-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (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 $150,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 17 180

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