Elucidating the Role of Nutrition in Care and Development of Preterm Infants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HD 21 006

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 21 006

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Elucidating the Role of Nutrition in Care and Development of Preterm Infants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HD-21-006) supports research projects aimed at closing key knowledge gaps about how nutrition affects the medical care, growth, and developmental outcomes of infants born preterm. The central focus is on improving understanding of nutrition-related factors in this especially vulnerable population, with the expectation that findings could inform better feeding practices, nutritional interventions, and clinical care strategies that support healthier short- and long-term outcomes for preterm infants. The announcement allows, but does not require, clinical trials, meaning applicants may propose either clinical trial studies or other types of human-subjects or non-trial research designs as long as they align with the nutrition and preterm infant development priorities described in the FOA.

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism, which is commonly used for substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects that can include multidisciplinary teams, multiple aims, and robust study designs. The activity category is listed under Health, Income Security and Social Services, and the CFDA number is 93.865. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding. The listed award ceiling is $499,999, indicating that applications are expected to fit within that maximum funding level as stated in the source data. The original closing date for submissions was November 30, 2020, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of May 18, 2020.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly participate in NIH research funding. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Higher education institutions are eligible, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The FOA is also open to federally recognized Native American tribal governments as well as Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. Both nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in each case, other than institutions of higher education) may apply. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also eligible, along with an "others" category that can capture additional applicant types specified by NIH policy or the announcement itself.

In addition to the standard eligibility categories, the FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant groups, emphasizing inclusion of a wide range of institutions and community-based entities. These specifically noted groups include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and 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 government agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, meaning foreign organizations may also apply. The inclusion of non-U.S. entities and U.S. territories underscores the NIH interest in supporting strong science regardless of location, particularly where investigators can contribute meaningful data or unique populations, clinical settings, or expertise relevant to nutrition and preterm infant outcomes.

Overall, this grant opportunity is designed to stimulate rigorous research that clarifies how nutritional exposures, feeding strategies, supplementation approaches, and related care practices influence the growth trajectories and developmental health of preterm infants. By focusing on "priority gaps" in knowledge, the FOA signals that applicants should aim their projects at questions where evidence is limited or uncertain and where improved understanding could translate into better standards of care in neonatal and early-life settings.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Elucidating the Role of Nutrition in Care and Development of Preterm Infants (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): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-05-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-11-30. (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 $499,999.00 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 RFA HD 21 006

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