Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 138
The grant opportunity titled Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R01 Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number PA-18-138, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant mechanism that uses the R01 research project format and allows, but does not require, inclusion of a clinical trial. Its overall aim is to support interdisciplinary research that reduces symptom burden and improves health-related quality of life (HRQL) for people living with chronic illnesses. The program is focused on moving beyond broad, one-size-fits-all symptom management approaches by strengthening the scientific understanding of why symptoms occur and by developing more targeted, practical strategies that can be used to prevent, manage, or lessen symptoms in real-world settings.
A central emphasis of the opportunity is on building knowledge about the biological mechanisms that underlie symptoms in chronic illness. This includes research that clarifies the pathways and processes driving symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive difficulties, depression, anxiety, shortness of breath, nausea, and other commonly co-occurring symptom clusters. The intent is to encourage studies that connect symptom experiences to measurable biological, physiological, genetic, inflammatory, neurological, or other mechanistic markers, with the longer-term goal of identifying modifiable targets for intervention. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged because symptom burden is rarely explained by a single factor; it is often shaped by interacting biological, behavioral, clinical, and environmental influences.
Alongside mechanistic discovery, the opportunity also prioritizes innovative interventions that are cost-effective and targeted. In practical terms, this means supporting the development and testing of strategies that are personalized or tailored to individual risk profiles, symptom patterns, comorbidities, disease trajectories, or biological signatures. Interventions could be behavioral, psychosocial, technology-enabled, rehabilitation-based, care delivery-oriented, pharmacologic, or multi-component, as long as they are designed to meaningfully prevent symptoms, improve symptom control, or reduce the impact symptoms have on daily functioning and quality of life. The program language highlights both prevention and management, signaling interest in approaches that can stop symptoms from emerging or worsening as well as those that treat established symptom burden.
The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and several categories of nontraditional or community-centered entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; 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 explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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 non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth indicates NIH interest in encouraging diverse institutions and partnerships that can reach different patient populations and settings.
From an administrative standpoint, this is categorized under Education and Health with CFDA number 93.361, and it was created on 2017-11-07 with an original closing date listed as 2019-01-07 in the provided source data. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full NIH funding announcement and related NIH budgeting policies to understand typical funding levels, project periods, and institute-specific expectations. Overall, the opportunity is positioned for researchers and organizations aiming to generate actionable, mechanism-informed, and scalable symptom management solutions that can materially improve day-to-day life and long-term outcomes for individuals living with chronic disease.Apply for PA 18 138
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (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): 93.361.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-07.
- 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.)
- 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 official title and number of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R01 Clinical Trial Optional). The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is PA-18-138.
Which agency is offering this funding?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity.
What type of grant mechanism is this?
The opportunity uses the R01 research project format.
Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?
No. The announcement is labeled Clinical Trial Optional, meaning a clinical trial may be included but is not required.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The aim is to support interdisciplinary research that reduces symptom burden and improves health-related quality of life (HRQL) for people living with chronic illnesses. The program emphasizes moving beyond broad, one-size-fits-all approaches toward more targeted and practical strategies.
What kinds of symptoms does the program focus on?
The opportunity highlights symptoms that commonly occur in chronic illness, including pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive difficulties, depression, anxiety, shortness of breath, nausea, and other co-occurring symptom clusters.
What does the program mean by moving beyond "one-size-fits-all" symptom management?
It means strengthening the scientific understanding of why symptoms occur and developing more targeted, personalized, and real-world practical strategies to prevent, manage, or lessen symptoms for specific individuals or subgroups.
What is the emphasis on biological mechanisms?
A central emphasis is building knowledge about the biological mechanisms underlying symptoms in chronic illness. This includes clarifying pathways and processes that drive symptoms and connecting symptom experiences to measurable mechanistic markers.
What kinds of mechanistic markers or pathways are relevant to this opportunity?
The announcement describes links between symptom experiences and measurable biological, physiological, genetic, inflammatory, neurological, or other mechanistic markers, with the longer-term goal of identifying modifiable targets for intervention.
Why does the opportunity encourage interdisciplinary research teams?
Because symptom burden is rarely explained by a single factor and is often shaped by interacting biological, behavioral, clinical, and environmental influences. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged to address that complexity.
What types of interventions are of interest?
The opportunity prioritizes innovative, cost-effective, and targeted interventions designed to prevent symptoms, improve symptom control, or reduce how much symptoms interfere with daily functioning and quality of life. Examples mentioned include behavioral, psychosocial, technology-enabled, rehabilitation-based, care delivery-oriented, pharmacologic, and multi-component strategies.
Does the program support prevention as well as treatment/management of symptoms?
Yes. The language highlights both prevention and management, signaling interest in approaches that can stop symptoms from emerging or worsening, as well as strategies that treat established symptom burden.
What does "personalized" or "tailored" mean in the context of this grant?
It refers to strategies designed around individual differences such as risk profiles, symptom patterns, comorbidities, disease trajectories, or biological signatures, rather than applying the same approach to everyone.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool is broad. It includes many U.S.-based organizations such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among the additional eligible applicants called out in the description.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically noted as eligible?
Yes. The listing explicitly calls out eligibility for institutions such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The description includes eligible federal agencies in the list of additional eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes U.S. territories or possessions.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. The description includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) as eligible applicants.
What subject area or category is this funding listed under?
The opportunity is categorized under Education and Health.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The listing provides CFDA 93.361.
When was this opportunity created, and what closing date is listed?
The listing states it was created on 2017-11-07 and shows an original closing date of 2019-01-07.
Does the listing provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The provided source data does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards.
What kinds of outcomes is NIH trying to improve through this program?
The program is aimed at reducing symptom burden and improving health-related quality of life (HRQL), with an emphasis on strategies that can be used in real-world settings and that can meaningfully affect daily functioning and longer-term outcomes for people living with chronic disease.
What makes a proposed strategy "real-world" and "practical" according to this description?
Based on the description, practical strategies are those that can be used to prevent, manage, or lessen symptoms in real-world settings and are framed as cost-effective, targeted, and designed to be actionable for people living with chronic illness.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, and Management in Pain Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 159 Funding Number: PA 18 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Symptom Management in HIV-Infected Individuals with Comorbid Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 161 Funding Number: PA 18 161 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Health Promotion Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Males (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 162 Funding Number: PA 18 162 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Use of Technology to Enhance Patient Outcomes and Prevent Illness (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 145 Funding Number: PA 18 145 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 146 Funding Number: PA 18 146 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Symptom Management in HIV-Infected Individuals with Comorbid Conditions (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 143 Funding Number: PA 18 143 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Altered neuronal circuits, receptors and networks in HIV-induced Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction (R21- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA MH 18 611 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 611 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Palliative Care Needs of Individuals with Advanced Rare Diseases and Their Family Caregivers (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 149 Funding Number: PA 18 149 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Questions in Symptom Science and Genomics (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 157 Funding Number: PA 18 157 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 164 Funding Number: PA 18 164 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Palliative Care Needs of Individuals with Rare Advanced Diseases and Their Family Caregivers (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 167 Funding Number: PA 18 167 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Improving Individual and Family Outcomes through Continuity and Coordination of Care in Hospice (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 166 Funding Number: PA 18 166 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Short-term Mentored Career Enhancement Awards for Mid-Career Investigators to Integrate Basic Behavioral and Social Sciences (K18 - No Independent Clinical Trials) Apply for PAR 18 349 Funding Number: PAR 18 349 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Altered neuronal circuits, receptors and networks in HIV-induced Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction (R01)-Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for RFA MH 18 610 Funding Number: RFA MH 18 610 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Linking the Provider Recommendation to Adolescent HPV Vaccine Uptake (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 008 Funding Number: PAR 18 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Linking the Provider Recommendation to Adolescent HPV Vaccine Uptake (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 019 Funding Number: PAR 18 019 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Promoting Caregiver Health Using Self-Management (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 150 Funding Number: PA 18 150 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Chronic Condition Self-Management in Children and Adolescents (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 151 Funding Number: PA 18 151 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 152 Funding Number: PA 18 152 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Chronic Condition Self-Management in Children and Adolescents (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 168 Funding Number: PA 18 168 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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