Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 388
Education and Health: New Frontiers (R03) - Clinical Trial Optional (PAR 18 388) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity designed to fund small, focused research projects that dig into how education shapes health. The central aim is not just to restate the well-known link between higher educational attainment and better health outcomes, but to unpack the pathways that produce that link. In practical terms, the program is looking for research that can identify which specific aspects of education (for example, quality, timing, content, credentials, learning environments, or institutional features) appear to be driving health effects, and which mediating factors (such as income, occupation, health behaviors, stress, access to care, social networks, cognitive skills, or neighborhood context) help explain how education ultimately translates into differences in health.
Because the announcement emphasizes clarifying causal relationships, it is geared toward studies that can carefully test mechanisms rather than simply documenting correlations. The phrase "New Frontiers" signals an interest in sharper conceptual models, improved measurement of educational experiences, and stronger designs that can isolate the contributions of education itself from related influences like family background or local economic conditions. The "clinical trial optional" designation means an applicant can propose work that includes a clinical trial component, but it is not required; many competitive projects under this kind of call may be observational, quasi-experimental, secondary data analysis, methodological, or pilot in nature, so long as they directly advance understanding of education-to-health mechanisms.
This opportunity uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which generally supports short-term, limited-scope projects, often including pilot or feasibility studies, secondary analyses, or early-stage investigations that can generate preliminary findings for larger future awards. The listed award ceiling is $50,000, reflecting the small-grant nature of the mechanism and encouraging tightly defined research questions and efficient study plans.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide mix of public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as 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), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.
Key administrative details from the source information include: the agency is the National Institutes of Health; the funding instrument type is a grant; the activity category spans education, health, income security, and social services; and the opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.279, 93.399, 93.865, and 93.866. The opportunity record shows a creation date of 2017-11-22 and an original closing date of 2019-01-07, indicating the timeline for that particular posting.Apply for PAR 18 388
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Education and Health: New Frontiers (R03) - Clinical Trial Optional" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279, 93.399, 93.865, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-01-07. (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 $50,000.00 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 “Education and Health: New Frontiers (R03) - Clinical Trial Optional (PAR 18 388)” opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity that supports small, focused research projects examining how education shapes health. The emphasis is on identifying and testing the pathways and mechanisms that connect educational experiences to health outcomes, rather than simply restating that education and health are correlated.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central goal is to clarify how education produces health effects by unpacking causal pathways. Projects are expected to help explain which aspects of education drive health differences and which mediating factors help translate education into health outcomes.
What kinds of research questions is the program looking for?
The announcement is geared toward questions such as: which specific elements of education (quality, timing, content, credentials, learning environments, institutional features, etc.) appear to influence health, and through what mechanisms those influences occur. It also encourages research that improves conceptual models and measurement of educational experiences.
What does “New Frontiers” mean in this context?
“New Frontiers” signals an interest in sharper conceptual models, improved measurement of educational experiences, and stronger research designs that can isolate the effects of education from related factors such as family background or local economic conditions.
What does “Clinical Trial Optional” mean?
It means applicants may propose a project that includes a clinical trial component, but a clinical trial is not required. The opportunity can support work with or without a clinical trial element, as long as it advances understanding of mechanisms linking education to health.
Are observational or secondary data studies allowed?
Yes. The description indicates many competitive projects may be observational, quasi-experimental, secondary data analysis, methodological, or pilot in nature, provided they directly advance understanding of education-to-health mechanisms.
What is the NIH R03 mechanism?
The R03 is an NIH small-grant mechanism that generally supports short-term, limited-scope projects. It is often used for pilot or feasibility studies, secondary analyses, or early-stage investigations that can generate preliminary findings for larger future awards.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $50,000, consistent with the small-grant nature of the R03 mechanism and an expectation of tightly defined research questions and efficient study plans.
What topics or fields does this opportunity fall under?
The activity category spans education, health, income security, and social services, reflecting the focus on education as a social determinant of health and the mechanisms that connect education to health outcomes.
Who is the funding agency?
The funding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of funding instrument is this?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many entity types across government, higher education, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors, as well as certain tribal and non-U.S. organizations.
Which government entities are eligible applicants?
Eligible government applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity also highlights eligibility for several institution types, including HBCUs, TCCUs, and other designated serving institutions.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. The eligibility list also notes tribal governments that are not federally recognized.
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The announcement also highlights faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are U.S. territories eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicant types.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The opportunity highlights eligible federal agencies as an eligible applicant type.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are listed as eligible applicants in the provided information.
What kinds of mediating factors might a project examine?
The opportunity description gives examples of mediators that could help explain how education translates into health differences, including income, occupation, health behaviors, stress, access to care, social networks, cognitive skills, and neighborhood context.
Does the program prioritize causal evidence over correlations?
Yes. The description emphasizes clarifying causal relationships and is geared toward studies that can test mechanisms carefully rather than only documenting correlations.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.279, 93.399, 93.865, and 93.866.
What are the key dates mentioned for this opportunity record?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of 2017-11-22 and an original closing date of 2019-01-07, indicating the timeline for that particular posting.
Is this opportunity still open based on the provided information?
The provided record lists an original closing date of 2019-01-07, which indicates that the specific posting described had a deadline in the past.
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| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (U44) - Clinical Trial Optional Apply for PAR 18 541 Funding Number: PAR 18 541 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 Required) Apply for RFA NS 18 021 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 021 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 (U44 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA NS 18 022 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 022 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: Clinical Studies to Advance Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UH3 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA NS 18 023 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 023 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Small Molecule Drug Discovery and Development of Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3) - Clinical Trial Optional Apply for PAR 18 546 Funding Number: PAR 18 546 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 573 Funding Number: PA 18 573 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHS 2018-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PA 18 576 Funding Number: PA 18 576 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BRAIN Initiative: New Concepts and Early - Stage Research for Large - Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R21) (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA EY 18 001 Funding Number: RFA EY 18 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Transformative Technologies for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01-Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 18 019 Funding Number: RFA NS 18 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Reducing Stigma to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low and Middle- Income Countries (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 732 Funding Number: PAR 18 732 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Addressing the Challenges of the Opioid Epidemic in Minority Health and Health Disparities Research in the U.S. (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 745 Funding Number: PAR 18 745 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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