Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 16 315
Apply for PA 16 315
- The HHS-NIH11 in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (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 Jun 07, 2016 and posted on Jun 07, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 07, 2019. (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 grant opportunity titled "Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 16-315) is a discretionary research grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (NIH). It uses the R21 mechanism, which is typically geared toward exploratory and developmental projects, meaning it is well suited for early-stage, high-impact studies that generate new methods, preliminary datasets, or proof-of-concept findings that can later support larger, longer-term research programs. The scientific focus is puberty and the broader trajectory of sexual development during adolescence, with an emphasis on improving how normal (normative) sexual development is measured, described, and understood across both male and female adolescents.
The core purpose of the FOA is to stimulate research that closes persistent knowledge gaps about how puberty unfolds and how reproductive competence becomes established. In practical terms, the NIH is looking for studies that move beyond broad descriptions of pubertal timing and instead use new technologies, innovative tools, and modern approaches to characterize the adolescent reproductive transition more precisely. This could include work that refines biological markers, improves the resolution of hormonal or physiological measurements, captures dynamic changes over time, or integrates multiple dimensions of development (for example, endocrine changes alongside physical maturation). The announcement signals that the field needs better ways to observe and quantify typical developmental pathways, suggesting a priority on foundational science that strengthens the evidence base for what "normal" development looks like and how it varies.
A key point in the description is the explicit call for "new technologies and approaches." That language usually indicates an interest in studies that leverage advances such as improved assays for reproductive hormones, minimally invasive sampling, longitudinal measurement strategies, advanced analytics, or other methods that can reveal patterns that older study designs could not capture. The FOA also underscores that understanding should be advanced for both sexes, implying that proposals should not treat one group as the default model. Instead, the goal is a more complete, sex-inclusive characterization of puberty and sexual maturation, including the tempo and sequencing of changes and how these contribute to achieving reproductive capability.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under Health, Income Security and Social Services and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.865 (as listed in the source data). The award ceiling is $200,000, which reflects the scale of an R21 award and reinforces the expectation that proposed projects be tightly scoped, innovation-forward, and aimed at generating impactful early findings rather than running large multi-year cohorts at full scale. While the source data lists "ExpectedAwards" without a number, that typically means the total number of awards may vary depending on NIH priorities and available funds in the relevant fiscal years.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations that can conduct health research. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) as well as tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are also listed. This wide eligibility scope suggests the program is designed to attract a diverse range of research teams and institutional settings, from universities and medical centers to nonprofit research institutes and certain private-sector research organizations.
The opportunity was posted and created on June 7, 2016, with an original and current closing date of September 7, 2019. That timeline indicates this specific FOA cycle is historical rather than currently open, but it still provides a clear picture of NIH research priorities in this area and can be useful for understanding what kinds of projects NIH has encouraged under the R21 mechanism related to pubertal development and adolescent reproductive maturation.
Overall, this FOA is aimed at accelerating scientifically rigorous, methodologically innovative research that clarifies how puberty progresses and how reproductive competence is established during adolescence. The expected outcome is not only better descriptive knowledge, but also improved measurement strategies and conceptual models that can support future research and, ultimately, strengthen the broader scientific foundation for adolescent reproductive health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R21) - PA 16-315
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Characterization of the Adolescent Reproductive Transition (R21)".
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA 16-315.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary research grant offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of grant mechanism is used?
This FOA uses the R21 mechanism, which is typically intended for exploratory and developmental research.
What kinds of projects are a good fit for an R21 under this FOA?
Projects that are tightly scoped and innovation-forward, such as early-stage, high-impact studies that generate:
- New or improved research methods
- Preliminary datasets
- Proof-of-concept findings
The emphasis is on work that can support future, larger research programs.
What is the primary scientific focus of this FOA?
The FOA focuses on puberty and the broader trajectory of sexual development during adolescence, with an emphasis on improving how normative (normal) sexual development is measured, described, and understood.
What is the main purpose of the FOA?
The core purpose is to stimulate research that closes persistent knowledge gaps about:
- How puberty unfolds
- How reproductive competence becomes established during adolescence
Does the FOA prioritize measurement and methods development?
Yes. The description emphasizes a need for better ways to observe, quantify, and characterize typical developmental pathways, suggesting a priority on foundational work that strengthens the evidence base for what "normal" development looks like and how it varies.
Does the FOA encourage moving beyond broad pubertal timing measures?
Yes. The FOA explicitly signals interest in studies that go beyond broad descriptions of pubertal timing and instead characterize the adolescent reproductive transition more precisely.
What does the FOA mean by "new technologies and approaches"?
The FOA explicitly calls for "new technologies and approaches," indicating interest in modern strategies such as:
- Improved assays for reproductive hormones
- Minimally invasive sampling
- Longitudinal measurement strategies
- Advanced analytics
- Innovative tools that improve the precision and resolution of developmental characterization
Are projects expected to include both male and female adolescents?
The FOA emphasizes advancing understanding for both sexes and implies proposals should not treat one group as the default model. The goal is a sex-inclusive characterization of puberty and sexual maturation.
What aspects of puberty and sexual maturation does the FOA highlight?
The FOA highlights improving understanding of puberty and sexual maturation, including the tempo and sequencing of changes and how these contribute to achieving reproductive capability.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $200,000, consistent with the scale and intent of an R21 award.
Does the FOA state how many awards are expected?
The source information lists "ExpectedAwards" without a number, indicating the number of awards may vary depending on NIH priorities and available funds.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.865 (as listed in the provided source data).
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized under Health, Income Security and Social Services.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations that can conduct health research. 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
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities
- Indian housing authorities
Is this FOA currently open?
Based on the dates provided, this FOA appears to be historical rather than currently open.
When was this opportunity posted and created?
The opportunity was posted and created on June 7, 2016.
What were the original and current closing dates listed?
Both the original and current closing date are listed as September 7, 2019.
What kind of outcomes is NIH looking for from projects funded under this FOA?
The FOA is aimed at accelerating scientifically rigorous, methodologically innovative research that clarifies how puberty progresses and how reproductive competence is established. Expected outcomes include:
- Better descriptive knowledge of normative adolescent sexual development
- Improved measurement strategies
- Stronger conceptual models to support future research
Does the FOA suggest the work is foundational rather than fully scaled?
Yes. The R21 mechanism and the $200,000 award ceiling reinforce an expectation of focused, exploratory work that generates early findings, rather than large, fully scaled multi-year cohort efforts.
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