Behavioral and Social Research on Disasters and Health (R03) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Behavioral and Social Research on Disasters and Health (R03)" funding opportunity?

It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) identified as PA-06-453. It supports small, focused behavioral and social science studies that examine how disasters affect health and that generate knowledge to help prevent, reduce, or manage negative health consequences before, during, and after disasters.

What is the main goal of this FOA?

The central aim is not only to document harm from disasters, but to produce actionable knowledge that can help prevent, lessen, or manage disaster-related health consequences across the disaster timeline (pre-event, during the event, and post-event), especially for populations at higher risk when systems are disrupted.

What kinds of disasters are included under this announcement?

The scope is broad and includes natural disasters (for example, severe weather and earthquakes) and human-caused events (such as large-scale attacks on civilian populations), technological catastrophes (including perceived catastrophes), and influenza pandemics.

Does the FOA cover both sudden events and longer-duration crises?

Yes. It explicitly includes sudden-onset disasters like earthquakes and terrorist attacks, as well as longer-duration crises such as influenza pandemics.

What types of research does the FOA prioritize?

The FOA prioritizes behavioral and social research on health consequences of disasters, particularly for children, older adults, and other vulnerable groups. It also supports research that explains why some groups experience disproportionate harm and research aimed at reducing morbidity, mortality, psychological distress, or longer-term functional decline.

Which populations are emphasized as vulnerable or high-risk?

The announcement emphasizes children, older adults, and other vulnerable groups. It highlights that these groups may face heightened risk when health and social systems are disrupted during emergencies.

What specific concerns are highlighted for older adults in disaster settings?

The FOA calls out issues such as frailty, chronic illness, limited mobility, dependence on caregivers, and barriers to accessing services during emergencies. It also highlights risks tied to evacuation, continuity of medical care, and breakdowns in social support.

Does the FOA address older adults living in institutions?

Yes. It gives special attention to elderly people living in institutional settings (for example, nursing homes or assisted living facilities), as well as frail older adults living in the community.

How does the FOA frame disaster impacts on children?

It supports research on the distinct ways disasters can influence children, including physical health, mental health, development, family functioning, and access to essential services, recognizing that children may be affected through different biological, psychological, and social pathways than adults.

Which NIH institutes sponsor this program announcement?

Three NIH institutes sponsor the FOA: the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR).

How do the sponsoring institutes differ in their interests?

NIA is particularly interested in disaster-related research focused on older adults, especially those in institutions and frail elders living independently. NICHD is interested in research centered on children and other vulnerable populations affected by disasters. NINR emphasizes research that moves toward practical interventions, including development and testing of strategies to improve outcomes for people exposed to disasters across settings such as clinics, shelters, community organizations, schools, and long-term care environments.

What does the R03 mechanism mean for the size and scope of projects?

The R03 mechanism is generally intended for smaller-scale projects. The FOA describes it as a fit for pilot and feasibility studies, secondary analyses, instrument development, and other tightly scoped projects that can generate early evidence and position investigators for larger studies later.

What are examples of projects that could be a good fit for this R03 FOA?

Based on the description, projects could include testing a promising idea, assessing the practicality of collecting disaster-related data, evaluating measures, exploring mechanisms linking disaster exposure to health outcomes in at-risk groups, or taking advantage of time-sensitive opportunities to learn from real-world events using behavioral and social science theory and methods.

What research topics are specifically mentioned as within scope?

Examples listed include risk communication and decision-making; stress and coping; family and caregiver dynamics; disruption of health services; medication adherence; displacement and housing instability; institutional preparedness; social support and isolation; and factors explaining disproportionate harm.

Are intervention studies allowed under this FOA?

Yes. The FOA notes that studies may address the design and evaluation of interventions intended to reduce morbidity, mortality, psychological distress, or longer-term functional decline following disasters. NINR particularly emphasizes work that moves toward practical interventions across real-world settings.

Can studies consider both actual exposure and perceived risk in technological incidents?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes technology-related incidents where both actual exposure and perceived risk can shape behavior and health.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. institutions and organizations, including higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and a range of government and tribal entities.

Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?

Yes. The announcement states that foreign institutions are eligible to apply.

Can state and local governments apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, including county, city or township, special district governments, and independent school districts.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included among eligible applicants.

Can public housing authorities apply?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. The announcement states that eligible federal agencies may apply.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA indicates that faith-based or community-based organizations may apply.

Who can serve as the project lead (PI/PD) for an application?

Any individual with the expertise and resources to conduct the proposed work may serve as a project lead through their institution.

Does NIH encourage applications from certain investigators?

Yes. NIH notes that applicants from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Can an organization or investigator submit more than one application?

Yes. Applicants may submit more than one application as long as each proposed project is scientifically distinct.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing specifies there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Is this a discretionary grant opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program.

When was this FOA originally posted and when was it archived?

The program announcement was originally posted on June 9, 2006. The archived record shows an archive date of October 2, 2009.

Is there a single application deadline?

No. The FOA lists multiple receipt dates rather than a single deadline, meaning proposals were accepted on a recurring schedule during its active period.

Where can applicants find the full NIH announcement?

The full announcement was available through NIH at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-453.html

Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement?

For technical issues accessing the full announcement, the listing directs applicants to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact.