Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 17 015
Apply for RFA HD 17 015
- The HHS-NIH11 in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Animal-Assisted Interventions for Special Populations (R21)" 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 Apr 08, 2016 and posted on Apr 08, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 29, 2016. (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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Animal-Assisted Interventions for Special Populations (R21) grant opportunity (RFA-HD-17-015) is a discretionary NIH funding announcement from HHS (NIH institute code listed as HHS-NIH11) that supports early-stage, exploratory research on animal-assisted interventions used in therapeutic, rehabilitative, educational, and related health settings. The core purpose is to build credible scientific evidence about whether incorporating animals into structured interventions is safe and effective, particularly for children and for individuals who have disabilities, neurological conditions, or behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. The FOA also emphasizes outcomes tied to real-world functioning, including health-related outcomes, the adoption of healthy behaviors, and improvements in learning for special-needs and at-risk groups.
The research scope is focused on studying animal involvement as a component of intervention, not simply general human-animal interaction. Projects are expected to directly examine safety and efficacy, which typically means paying attention to both beneficial outcomes and potential risks. In practice, that can include evaluating intervention effects on symptoms, behavior, participation in therapy, functional skills, stress or emotional regulation, engagement in school or rehabilitation activities, and other measurable health and learning outcomes. Because the FOA highlights special populations, it is geared toward studies that address the unique needs, vulnerabilities, and contexts of participants who may face barriers to standard services or who may respond differently due to developmental, neurological, or mental health factors.
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for exploratory and developmental research that can generate preliminary data, test feasibility, refine protocols, or provide an initial estimate of effect to justify a larger clinical or implementation study later. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, indicating a modest budget consistent with pilot-scale studies, proof-of-concept trials, early efficacy testing, or focused mechanistic work that can be completed without the scale of a large multi-site trial. While the expected number of awards is not specified in the provided listing, the structure suggests competitive funding for a limited set of projects that can move the evidence base forward.
A broad range of organizations are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include federal and non-federal government entities (state, county, city or township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled universities, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding higher education institutions where specified), for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations (both federally recognized governments and other tribal organizations). The eligibility list reflects an intention to welcome applications from research universities, clinics and hospital-affiliated groups, community-based providers, educational settings, rehabilitation programs, and potentially industry partners, as long as the proposed work is research-focused and fits the FOA aims.
Administratively, the opportunity was created and posted on April 8, 2016, with an application closing date of July 29, 2016 (both the original and current closing dates are the same in the listing). The associated CFDA numbers are 93.865, placing it within NIH health-related research assistance programs. Overall, the FOA is best understood as an NIH call for rigorous, methodologically sound studies that can clarify where animal-assisted approaches truly help, for whom they help, how they should be delivered, and what safety considerations must be addressed when working with populations that may be medically, developmentally, or psychologically vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Animal-Assisted Interventions for Special Populations (R21) funding opportunity?
It is a discretionary NIH funding announcement from HHS (NIH institute code HHS-NIH11) titled "Animal-Assisted Interventions for Special Populations (R21)" with FOA number RFA-HD-17-015. It supports early-stage, exploratory research on animal-assisted interventions used in therapeutic, rehabilitative, educational, and related health settings.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The purpose is to build credible scientific evidence about whether incorporating animals into structured interventions is safe and effective, especially for children and for individuals with disabilities, neurological conditions, or behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. It also emphasizes outcomes tied to real-world functioning, including health-related outcomes, adoption of healthy behaviors, and improvements in learning for special-needs and at-risk groups.
What kinds of research does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA emphasizes rigorous, methodologically sound studies that directly examine safety and efficacy of animal-assisted interventions. The focus is on clarifying where these approaches help, for whom they help, how they should be delivered, and what safety considerations must be addressed when working with medically, developmentally, or psychologically vulnerable populations.
Does this opportunity fund general research on human-animal interaction?
No. The scope is focused on studying animal involvement as a component of an intervention, not simply general human-animal interaction.
What does "animal-assisted intervention" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, it refers to incorporating animals into structured interventions delivered in therapeutic, rehabilitative, educational, or related health settings, where the animal component is part of the intervention being tested for safety and effectiveness.
Which populations are considered "special populations" for this FOA?
The FOA highlights children and individuals who have disabilities, neurological conditions, or behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. It is geared toward participants who may face barriers to standard services or who may respond differently due to developmental, neurological, or mental health factors.
What outcomes are expected to be studied?
The FOA emphasizes outcomes tied to real-world functioning and measurable health and learning outcomes. Examples mentioned include effects on symptoms, behavior, participation in therapy, functional skills, stress or emotional regulation, engagement in school or rehabilitation activities, adoption of healthy behaviors, and improvements in learning for special-needs and at-risk groups.
Are applicants expected to evaluate both benefits and risks?
Yes. Projects are expected to directly examine safety and efficacy, which typically means paying attention to both beneficial outcomes and potential risks associated with incorporating animals into interventions.
What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for exploratory and developmental research.
What types of projects are a good fit for an NIH R21 in this program?
The R21 mechanism is described as appropriate for exploratory work that can generate preliminary data, test feasibility, refine protocols, or provide an initial estimate of effect to justify a larger clinical or implementation study later. Examples consistent with the description include pilot-scale studies, proof-of-concept trials, early efficacy testing, or focused mechanistic work that does not require the scale of a large multi-site trial.
What is the budget limit (award ceiling) for this grant?
The listing indicates an award ceiling of $200,000, which aligns with a modest, pilot-scale budget.
How many awards will be made?
The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided listing. The description suggests competitive funding for a limited set of projects.
Who is eligible to apply?
A broad range of organizations are eligible, including: federal and non-federal government entities (state, county, city or township, and special district governments); independent school districts; public and state-controlled universities; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding higher education institutions where specified); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); small businesses; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations (both federally recognized governments and other tribal organizations).
Are both nonprofit and for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) and for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), as well as small businesses.
Are educational and school-based entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes independent school districts, public and state-controlled universities, and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations.
What kinds of settings might be appropriate for the proposed research?
The FOA mentions therapeutic, rehabilitative, educational, and related health settings. The eligibility list and description also suggest applications may come from research universities, clinics and hospital-affiliated groups, community-based providers, educational settings, rehabilitation programs, and potentially industry partners, as long as the work is research-focused and fits the FOA aims.
Which agency and program are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is from HHS through NIH (with the NIH institute code listed as HHS-NIH11). The associated CFDA numbers are 93.865, indicating it falls within NIH health-related research assistance programs.
What is the FOA number for this announcement?
The FOA number provided is RFA-HD-17-015.
When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?
The opportunity was created and posted on April 8, 2016. The application closing date listed is July 29, 2016 (the original and current closing dates are the same in the listing).
What is the overall goal for the field according to this FOA?
The FOA aims to strengthen the evidence base for animal-assisted interventions by supporting studies that can identify whether they are truly safe and effective, determine who benefits and under what conditions, and establish how these interventions should be delivered with appropriate safety considerations for vulnerable populations.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health, Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Animal-Assisted Interventions for Special Populations (R03)
Previous opportunity: Research Partnerships for Scaling Up Mental Health Interventions in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (U19)
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Animal-Assisted Interventions for Special Populations (R03) Apply for RFA HD 17 014 Funding Number: RFA HD 17 014 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Research to Advance the Understanding and Management of the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Children (R21) Apply for PAR 16 195 Funding Number: PAR 16 195 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research to Advance the Understanding and Management of the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Children (R01) Apply for PAR 16 196 Funding Number: PAR 16 196 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research to Advance the Understanding and Management of the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Children (R03) Apply for PAR 16 197 Funding Number: PAR 16 197 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Preclinical Research on Model Organisms to Predict Treatment Outcomes for Disorders Associated with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (R01) Apply for PAR 16 215 Funding Number: PAR 16 215 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Outcome Measures for Use in Treatment Trials of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (R01) Apply for PAR 16 216 Funding Number: PAR 16 216 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Global Network for Womens and Childrens Health Research Data Coordinating Center (U24) Apply for RFA HD 17 010 Funding Number: RFA HD 17 010 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| Understanding STI Co-Infection In At Risk and HIV Infected Adolescents and Young Adults (R01) Apply for RFA HD 17 011 Funding Number: RFA HD 17 011 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R01) Apply for PA 16 314 Funding Number: PA 16 314 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Safety and Outcome Measures of Pain Medications Used in Children and Pregnant Women (R03) Apply for PA 16 313 Funding Number: PA 16 313 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Safety and Outcome Measures of Pain Medications Used in Children and Pregnant Women (R01) Apply for PA 16 311 Funding Number: PA 16 311 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R03) Apply for PA 16 316 Funding Number: PA 16 316 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Safety and Outcome Measures of Pain Medications Used in Children and Pregnant Women (R21) Apply for PA 16 312 Funding Number: PA 16 312 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Understanding STI Co-Infection In At Risk and HIV Infected Adolescents and Young Adults (R21) Apply for RFA HD 17 012 Funding Number: RFA HD 17 012 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R21) Apply for PA 16 315 Funding Number: PA 16 315 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biophysical and Biomechanical Aspects of Embryonic Development (R01) Apply for PAR 16 325 Funding Number: PAR 16 325 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Biophysical and Biomechanical Aspects of Embryonic Development (R21) Apply for PAR 16 324 Funding Number: PAR 16 324 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Limited Competition: Clinical Research Investigator Supplement (CRIS) for the Maternal Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network and the Neonatal Research Network (NRN) (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 16 377 Funding Number: PA 16 377 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Contraception Research Centers Program (U54) Apply for RFA HD 17 013 Funding Number: RFA HD 17 013 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Coordinating Center for NICHD Population Dynamics Centers Research Infrastructure Program, FY 2017 (R24) Apply for RFA HD 17 022 Funding Number: RFA HD 17 022 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $120,000 |
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