Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 946
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity "Applying a Biopsychosocial Perspective to Self-Management of Chronic Pain (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-946) is a discretionary grant program designed to stimulate early-stage, exploratory research on chronic pain self-management using a biopsychosocial framework. In practical terms, it invites projects that treat chronic pain as more than a purely biological problem by integrating biological factors (such as underlying physiology and comorbid conditions), psychological factors (such as mood, cognition, coping, motivation, and pain beliefs), and social factors (such as family context, work demands, social support, stigma, and access to care). The core intent is to support innovative ideas that can improve how people manage chronic pain in real-world settings, including strategies that may be personalized, scalable, or adaptable across different populations and healthcare environments.
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which typically supports high-risk, high-reward or proof-of-concept studies rather than large, definitive trials. The announcement notes that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose either non-trial research (for example, intervention development, feasibility testing, mechanistic studies tied to self-management, or early pilot work) or clinical trial activities if appropriate. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, signaling that proposed projects should be appropriately scoped for an exploratory grant rather than a long-term, multi-site efficacy study.
The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes many types of U.S. public entities and organizations, such as state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Academic institutions are eligible as well, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity is also open to nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, as well as "other" applicant types. In addition, the announcement explicitly highlights eligibility for a range of mission-driven or community-rooted organizations and institutions serving historically underserved communities, 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also allows participation by tribal governments (including those other than federally recognized), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), expanding opportunities for diverse settings and collaborations.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity falls under the education and health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.213, 93.361, and 93.393. The record indicates an original closing date of 2022-01-07 and a creation date of 2018-10-01. While the listing does not specify the expected number of awards, the overall emphasis is clear: NIH is seeking creative, scientifically grounded proposals that move the field forward on how people can effectively self-manage chronic pain when interventions and research designs intentionally account for the full biopsychosocial reality of pain.Apply for PA 18 946
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Applying a Biopsychosocial Perspective to Self-Management of Chronic Pain (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213, 93.361, 93.393.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-10-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-01-07. (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 $200,000.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Applying a Biopsychosocial Perspective to Self-Management of Chronic Pain (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA-18-946.
What type of grant mechanism is being used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for early-stage, exploratory, or proof-of-concept research rather than large, definitive studies.
What is the main goal of this program?
The goal is to stimulate innovative, early-stage research on chronic pain self-management that uses a biopsychosocial framework, meaning the research intentionally integrates biological, psychological, and social factors that shape chronic pain and how people manage it.
What does "biopsychosocial perspective" mean in this context?
It means proposals are expected to treat chronic pain as more than a purely biological condition by integrating:
- Biological factors (for example, underlying physiology and comorbid conditions)
- Psychological factors (for example, mood, cognition, coping, motivation, and pain beliefs)
- Social factors (for example, family context, work demands, social support, stigma, and access to care)
What kinds of projects does NIH seem to be looking for under this announcement?
Projects that are innovative and scientifically grounded, focused on improving real-world chronic pain self-management. The description emphasizes ideas that could be personalized, scalable, or adaptable across different populations and health care environments.
Is a clinical trial required?
No. The announcement states "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose research that does not involve a clinical trial or may include clinical trial activities if appropriate for the project.
If a clinical trial is optional, what are examples of non-trial research activities that could fit?
The listing gives examples such as intervention development, feasibility testing, and mechanistic studies tied to self-management, as well as early pilot work.
What is the award ceiling for this R21 opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000, indicating projects should be scoped as exploratory research rather than long-term, large-scale studies.
Does this opportunity support large, multi-site efficacy trials?
The description suggests this is not the intent. Because it is an R21 with a $200,000 ceiling and an exploratory focus, it is positioned for high-risk/high-reward or proof-of-concept work rather than large, definitive multi-site efficacy trials.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool is broad. The listing indicates eligibility for many U.S. public entities and organizations, academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other applicant types. It also explicitly includes various community-rooted and underserved-community-serving institutions, tribal entities, U.S. territories/possessions, and non-U.S. entities.
Are state, county, and local government entities eligible?
Yes. The opportunity includes eligibility for state governments, county governments, local governments, and other public entities such as special districts.
Are independent school districts eligible to apply?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed among eligible applicant types.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Both public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are both included as eligible applicant types.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, with the listing noting "for-profit organizations (other than small businesses)" and also separately indicating that small businesses are eligible.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are included among the eligible applicant types.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement allows participation by faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are tribal governments eligible?
Yes. The listing includes tribal governments, including those other than federally recognized tribes.
Are institutions serving historically underserved communities specifically mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly highlights eligibility for several categories of institutions, including:
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included in the eligible applicant types described.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible to participate.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations allowed to participate?
Yes. The listing indicates that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) may participate, which supports international or non-U.S.-based organizational involvement.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the education and health funding activity category.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.213, 93.361, and 93.393.
What is the closing date shown in the listing?
The record indicates an original closing date of 2022-01-07.
When was this opportunity record created?
The creation date shown is 2018-10-01.
Does the listing specify how many awards NIH expects to make?
No. The listing does not specify the expected number of awards.
What topic area should applicants focus on?
Applicants should focus on chronic pain self-management, specifically through a biopsychosocial lens that accounts for biological, psychological, and social contributors to pain and self-management outcomes.
What kinds of real-world considerations are emphasized?
The description emphasizes improving chronic pain self-management in real-world settings and highlights approaches that may be personalized, scalable, or adaptable across different populations and health care environments.
What is the overall message NIH is sending with this announcement?
The overall emphasis is on creative, scientifically grounded exploratory proposals that move the field forward by designing interventions and research approaches that reflect the full biopsychosocial reality of chronic pain.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 18 946) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
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| Applying a Biopsychosocial Perspective to Self-Management of Chronic Pain (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 945 Funding Number: PA 18 945 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanisms of Disparities in Etiology and Outcomes of Lung Cancer in the U.S.: The Role of Risk and Protective Factors (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 019 Funding Number: PAR 19 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanisms of Disparities in Etiology and Outcomes of Lung Cancer in the U.S.: The Role of Risk and Protective Factors (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 19 018 Funding Number: PAR 19 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Commercializing Understudied Proteins from the Illuminating the Druggable Genome Project (IDG) (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 19 034 Funding Number: PA 19 034 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Strategies to Provide Culturally Tailored Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Seriously Ill American Indian and Alaska Native Individuals (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 058 Funding Number: PAR 19 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Strategies to Provide Culturally Tailored Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Seriously Ill American Indian and Alaska Native Individuals (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 057 Funding Number: PAR 19 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINR Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 19 060 Funding Number: PAR 19 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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| Implementation Science for Cancer Control: Advanced Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 006 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Implementation Science for Cancer Control: Developing Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 19 005 Funding Number: RFA CA 19 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Telomeres in Wellness and Disease: A Biobehavioral Approach (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 074 Funding Number: PA 19 074 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Data Science Research: Personal Health Libraries for Consumers and Patients (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 19 072 Funding Number: PAR 19 072 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Telomeres in Wellness and Disease: A Biobehavioral Approach (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 19 073 Funding Number: PA 19 073 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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