Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 12 028
Apply for PA 12 028
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Effects of Adolescent Binge Drinking on Brain Development (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 18, 2011 and posted on Nov 18, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 7, 2015. (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: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) County governments State governments Special district governments Independent school districts Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses City or township governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity "Effects of Adolescent Binge Drinking on Brain Development (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 12-028) was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement issued by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). It invited Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21) applications aimed at generating early-stage, mechanistic evidence about how binge-pattern alcohol exposure during adolescence can alter key neurodevelopmental processes. The scientific emphasis was on understanding biological mechanisms rather than purely descriptive or correlational findings, with a particular focus on two foundational areas of brain development: synaptic maturation (how neural connections are refined and stabilized) and myelin formation (how axons become insulated to improve signal speed and efficiency). In practical terms, the FOA sought studies that could clarify how episodic high-dose alcohol exposure during a sensitive developmental window might disrupt neural circuit refinement and white matter development, potentially leading to lasting effects on cognition, behavior, and brain function.
This FOA fell under the discretionary grant category and used the R21 funding mechanism, which is typically designed for exploratory or developmental projects that may be high-risk or novel but have strong potential to open up new lines of inquiry. The goal of an R21 is often to support proof-of-concept work, develop new models or methods, or gather preliminary mechanistic data that could later justify a larger, more definitive project. The listed award ceiling was $200,000, and the announcement specified that cost sharing or matching was not required. The activity category was health, and the associated CFDA number was 93.273 (Alcohol Research Programs), indicating alignment with NIAAA's broader mission to understand alcohol's effects and to support research that can inform prevention and treatment strategies.
Eligibility for applying was broad and included many types of U.S. governmental entities (state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; and independent school districts), as well as a wide range of academic and nonprofit organizations. Public and private institutions of higher education were eligible, along with nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (with the non-501(c)(3) category excluding institutions of higher education). The FOA also allowed applications from for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) and small businesses, reflecting NIH's general openness to multiple sectors when the science and capability are strong. Importantly, it included explicit eligibility language for a number of institution types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions were also eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations were permitted, with foreign components allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This structure signaled an intent to encourage diverse applicant pools and facilitate research capacity across many settings, including international contexts where relevant expertise or populations might be available.
From a timeline standpoint, the FOA was posted and created on November 18, 2011, and it remained open through a final closing date of May 7, 2015, with an archive date of June 7, 2015. While the announcement is now archived, the summary details describe a multi-year window during which NIAAA was actively soliciting proposals in this specific area. The included additional information link pointed to the NIH Grants Guide page for PA 12-028, which would have contained the complete programmatic scope, application instructions, review criteria, and any special requirements typical of NIH FOAs.
Overall, PA 12-028 was designed to push the field toward clearer causal and mechanistic explanations of how adolescent binge alcohol exposure can influence brain maturation processes that are essential for efficient neural communication and stable circuit function. By targeting synaptic and myelination pathways, the FOA highlighted developmental neurobiology as a central lens for understanding the potential long-term risks of adolescent binge drinking. For applicants, the core expectation was to propose focused, biologically grounded studies capable of revealing how alcohol perturbs developmental trajectories at the cellular or circuit level, consistent with the exploratory intent of the R21 mechanism.
For access issues or technical problems related to the electronic announcement, the contact listed was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Effects of Adolescent Binge Drinking on Brain Development (R21)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA 12-028.
Which agency and institute issued this funding announcement?
This was a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding announcement issued by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
What funding mechanism does this opportunity use?
This opportunity uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant mechanism (R21).
What is the purpose of an R21 for this topic area?
The R21 mechanism is intended to support exploratory or developmental projects, often emphasizing early-stage or proof-of-concept work. In this FOA, the aim was to generate early-stage, mechanistic evidence about how adolescent binge-pattern alcohol exposure can alter neurodevelopmental processes, potentially supporting later, larger studies.
What is the main scientific goal of PA 12-028?
The FOA sought applications focused on generating mechanistic (causal/biological) evidence on how binge-pattern alcohol exposure during adolescence may disrupt brain development, rather than producing purely descriptive or correlational findings.
Which areas of brain development are specifically emphasized?
The announcement particularly emphasized two foundational areas of adolescent brain development: synaptic maturation (refinement and stabilization of neural connections) and myelin formation (insulation of axons that supports faster and more efficient signaling).
What kinds of effects was the FOA trying to help explain?
In practical terms, PA 12-028 aimed to clarify how episodic high-dose alcohol exposure during a sensitive developmental window might disrupt neural circuit refinement and white matter development, potentially contributing to lasting effects on cognition, behavior, and brain function.
Does the FOA prioritize mechanistic studies over descriptive studies?
Yes. The stated emphasis was on understanding biological mechanisms, not on purely descriptive or correlational findings.
What is the grant category and activity area for this opportunity?
The FOA fell under the discretionary grant category, and the activity category was health.
What is the listed award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling was $200,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement specified that cost sharing or matching was not required.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number is 93.273 (Alcohol Research Programs).
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included many types of U.S. governmental entities, academic institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations. The FOA also included explicit eligibility language encouraging participation by a wide range of institution types and communities.
Which U.S. government entities were eligible?
Eligible government applicants included state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts.
Were institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education were eligible.
Were nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status were eligible, and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status were also eligible (with the non-501(c)(3) category excluding institutions of higher education, as stated in the summary).
Were for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA allowed applications from for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) and from small businesses.
Does the FOA explicitly include minority-serving or special-designation institutions?
Yes. The eligibility language explicitly included Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based and community-based organizations included in eligibility?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations were included in the eligibility language.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions were explicitly included.
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. Foreign institutions were eligible to apply.
Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations allowed?
Yes. The FOA permitted non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations.
Are foreign components allowed under this FOA?
Yes. Foreign components were allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.
When was this FOA posted and created?
The FOA was posted and created on November 18, 2011.
What was the final closing date for applications?
The final closing date was May 7, 2015.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The announcement is archived. The archive date was June 7, 2015.
Where could applicants find the full funding announcement details?
The summary indicates an additional information link pointing to the NIH Grants Guide page for PA 12-028, which would have contained the complete program scope, application instructions, review criteria, and any special requirements typical of NIH FOAs.
Who should be contacted for access issues or technical problems related to the electronic announcement?
For access issues or technical problems related to the electronic announcement, the listed contact was the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Screening and Brief Alcohol Interventions in Underage and Young Adult Populations (R03)
Previous opportunity: Effects of adolescent binge drinking on brain development (R01)
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