Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 21 200
The Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PA 21 200) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program that supports early-stage, exploratory research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It is a reissue of PA-18-400 and uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for projects that are innovative, developmental, or high-impact but not yet ready for a larger, longer-term award. The overall aim is to encourage research that improves understanding of ASD and strengthens the evidence base for how ASD is identified and addressed in real-world settings.
This FOA is focused on research that clarifies key aspects of ASD, including etiology (the biological, genetic, environmental, and developmental causes or contributors), epidemiology (patterns, prevalence, risk factors, and population-level trends), diagnosis (tools, timing, accuracy, and practical approaches to identifying ASD and related features), and optimal means of service delivery (how services and supports are organized, accessed, implemented, and evaluated). The service-delivery emphasis means applicants can propose work that looks beyond basic discovery and into practical questions like how to improve screening and referral pathways, reduce delays in identification, increase equity in access to supports, or evaluate models of care that work in clinics, schools, and community systems. The notice states "clinical trial optional," meaning projects may include a clinical trial if it fits the research question, but a clinical trial is not required.
The program is open to a broad range of applicant organizations. In addition to standard eligible entities such as state, county, city/township, and special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and federally recognized tribal governments, the FOA also welcomes applications from higher education institutions (public, state-controlled, and private), nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. It also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). Faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are also listed as eligible, signaling an intent to encourage broad participation and research that can address diverse populations and settings.
From the source details provided, the award ceiling is listed as $200,000, and the original closing date is 2024-11-16. The opportunity is categorized under health and social services-related activity areas, and it is associated with multiple CFDA listings (93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865), reflecting that NIH institutes and centers with overlapping missions may participate in supporting ASD-related research topics under this announcement.
In practical terms, this FOA is best suited for investigators and organizations proposing focused, hypothesis-driven pilot studies, new methods or measures relevant to ASD, preliminary evaluations of diagnostic or service approaches, or early tests of interventions or delivery models where a smaller, exploratory grant can generate the evidence needed for larger follow-on studies. The scope explicitly spans both foundational questions about what contributes to ASD and applied questions about how to identify ASD earlier and deliver supports more effectively in the systems where people actually receive care and services.Apply for PA 21 200
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (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): 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-16. (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): Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) - PA 21 200
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) and is identified as PA 21 200.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program.
What type of grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
The funding opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally designed for early-stage, exploratory, innovative, developmental, or potentially high-impact projects that are not yet ready for a larger, longer-term award.
Is this opportunity new or a reissue of a prior announcement?
It is described as a reissue of PA-18-400.
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The overall aim is to encourage research that improves understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and strengthens the evidence base for how ASD is identified and addressed in real-world settings.
What research areas does the FOA focus on for ASD?
The FOA is focused on research that clarifies key aspects of ASD, including:
- Etiology (biological, genetic, environmental, and developmental causes or contributors)
- Epidemiology (patterns, prevalence, risk factors, and population-level trends)
- Diagnosis (tools, timing, accuracy, and practical approaches to identifying ASD and related features)
- Optimal means of service delivery (how services and supports are organized, accessed, implemented, and evaluated)
What does "clinical trial optional" mean in this announcement?
"Clinical trial optional" means a project may include a clinical trial if that fits the research question, but a clinical trial is not required for this FOA.
What kinds of service-delivery topics are encouraged?
The service-delivery emphasis supports applied work such as research on how to:
- Improve screening and referral pathways
- Reduce delays in identification
- Increase equity in access to supports
- Evaluate models of care that work in clinics, schools, and community systems
Is the FOA limited to basic science research?
No. The scope spans both foundational questions (such as what contributes to ASD) and applied questions (such as how to identify ASD earlier and deliver supports more effectively in real-world systems).
What types of projects are a good fit for the NIH R21 under this FOA?
Based on the information provided, this FOA is best suited for projects such as:
- Focused, hypothesis-driven pilot studies
- Development of new methods or measures relevant to ASD
- Preliminary evaluations of diagnostic or service approaches
- Early tests of interventions or delivery models where exploratory funding can support follow-on studies
Who is eligible to apply?
The program is open to a broad range of applicant organizations, including:
- State, county, city/township, and special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private)
- Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
Are institutions that serve specific populations explicitly included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligibility for:
- 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)
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are listed as eligible.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments that are not federally recognized eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes tribal governments that are not federally recognized.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed as eligible.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are included among eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) organizations are listed as eligible.
What is the maximum award amount mentioned in the provided details?
The award ceiling listed in the provided details is $200,000.
What is the original closing date provided?
The original closing date listed is 2024-11-16.
How is this opportunity categorized by activity area?
The opportunity is categorized under health and social services-related activity areas.
What CFDA listings are associated with this opportunity?
The provided details list multiple CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity: 93.113, 93.173, 93.242, 93.853, and 93.865.
What does it mean that multiple CFDA listings are associated with this FOA?
Based on the provided information, the multiple CFDA listings indicate that NIH institutes and centers with overlapping missions may participate in supporting ASD-related research topics under this announcement.
Does the FOA emphasize real-world settings for research?
Yes. The FOA highlights strengthening the evidence base for how ASD is identified and addressed in real-world settings, including applied research in systems like clinics, schools, and community systems.
Can this grant support work aimed at earlier identification of ASD?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes diagnostic research and applied service-delivery research that can address topics such as improving screening and referral pathways and reducing delays in identification.
Can this FOA support studies related to access and equity in ASD services?
Yes. The service-delivery emphasis includes research aimed at increasing equity in access to supports.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 21 200) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 21 199 Funding Number: PA 21 199 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Autism Centers of Excellence: Centers (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 22 008 Funding Number: RFA HD 22 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Autism Centers of Excellence: Networks (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA HD 22 007 Funding Number: RFA HD 22 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 319 Funding Number: PAR 21 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 21 311 Funding Number: PAR 21 311 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 098 Funding Number: PAR 22 098 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Global Brain and Nervous System Disorders Research Across the Lifespan (R01 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 22 097 Funding Number: PAR 22 097 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Diagnostic Centers of Excellence (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 171 Funding Number: PAR 23 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Implementation Research on Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors among Low- and Middle-Income Country and Tribal Populations Living in City Environments (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 319 Funding Number: PAR 23 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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