Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 11 031
Apply for RFA MH 11 031
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Epigenomic Modifications in Neurodevelopment (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 13, 2010 and posted on Jul 13, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 20, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $5,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State 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 Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) County governments Independent school districts City or township governments Special district governments Small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities For profit organizations other than small businesses.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Epigenomic Modifications in Neurodevelopment (R21) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-11-031) was a discretionary NIH grant announcement led by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to support early-stage, exploratory research on how epigenetic and epigenomic changes shape brain development and later mental health risk. The core aim was to fund projects that either (1) characterize specific epigenetic events that occur during neurodevelopmental processes or (2) identify epigenome-wide signatures tied to early environmental exposures that may increase vulnerability to mental disorders. In practical terms, the announcement was looking for studies that can connect developmental timing and environmental context with measurable epigenomic marks, and then relate those marks to trajectories relevant to psychiatric risk.
A key emphasis of the announcement was on complexity and biological specificity. NIMH highlighted particular interest in proposals that examine heterogeneity in epigenetic marks across different tissue types and, more importantly, across different cell populations in the brain as development progresses. That focus reflects a major challenge in neuroepigenomics: signals can differ substantially by brain region, cell type, and developmental stage, so studies that explicitly address cell specificity (for example, neuronal versus glial patterns, or developmental shifts in chromatin state) were especially aligned with the FOA. The announcement also encouraged cross-species analyses, suggesting value in designs that compare epigenomic mechanisms across model organisms and humans to strengthen causal inference, mechanistic interpretation, or translational relevance.
This FOA used the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant mechanism (R21), which is typically intended for novel, higher-risk ideas, pilot studies, or projects that generate foundational datasets or proof-of-concept evidence rather than fully mature research programs. It was released in parallel with a companion announcement of identical scientific scope using the R01 mechanism (RFA-MH-11-030), meaning investigators could pursue the same overarching topic area through either a shorter, exploratory R21 pathway or a more extensive R01 project, depending on readiness and scope.
In terms of funding scale, NIMH anticipated a combined investment of about $5,000,000 in total costs in Fiscal Year 2011 to support 10 or more total awards across both the R01 and R21 announcements together. For the R21 under this announcement, the listed award ceiling was $200,000 (as presented in the source listing). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement. The CFDA number associated with the program area was 93.242 (Mental Health Research Grants).
Eligibility was broad and included many organization types typically able to apply for NIH grants. Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), state and local governments (including county, city/township, special district governments), independent school districts, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses under that specific category, though small businesses were separately eligible). The eligibility description also explicitly included a wide range of additional entities such as federally recognized and other tribal governments and organizations, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations, as well as eligible federal agencies.
Administratively, the announcement was posted and created on July 13, 2010, with an original (and current) closing date of October 20, 2010, and it was later archived on November 20, 2010. The full announcement was available through the NIH Grants Guide at the link provided in the listing (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-11-031.html). For access or technical issues, the listing directed applicants to contact the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster (FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Epigenomic Modifications in Neurodevelopment (R21) funding opportunity?
The Epigenomic Modifications in Neurodevelopment (R21) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-11-031) was a discretionary NIH grant announcement led by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It was intended to support early-stage, exploratory research on how epigenetic and epigenomic changes influence brain development and later risk for mental health problems.
What is the main scientific purpose of this FOA?
The core aim was to fund studies that connect developmental timing and environmental context with measurable epigenomic marks, and then relate those marks to neurodevelopmental trajectories relevant to psychiatric risk.
What types of projects were specifically encouraged?
The announcement highlighted two major project directions: (1) characterizing specific epigenetic events that occur during neurodevelopmental processes, and (2) identifying epigenome-wide signatures linked to early environmental exposures that may increase vulnerability to mental disorders.
Does this FOA focus on epigenetics, epigenomics, or both?
Both. The announcement sought research on specific epigenetic events as well as epigenome-wide signatures, emphasizing measurable marks and patterns that can be tied to development and risk-relevant outcomes.
How important is developmental timing in proposed studies?
Developmental timing was central to the practical intent of the announcement. Projects were expected to consider when epigenomic modifications occur during neurodevelopment and how those time-linked changes relate to later trajectories associated with psychiatric vulnerability.
How important are environmental exposures in this FOA?
Environmental context was a major emphasis, particularly for projects aiming to identify epigenome-wide signatures associated with early environmental exposures that may increase risk for mental disorders.
Did NIMH emphasize cell-type or tissue specificity?
Yes. A key emphasis was on complexity and biological specificity, including heterogeneity in epigenetic marks across tissue types and, especially, across different brain cell populations as development progresses.
Why was heterogeneity across brain regions and cell populations highlighted?
The FOA reflected a major challenge in neuroepigenomics: epigenomic signals can vary substantially by brain region, cell type, and developmental stage. Proposals that directly addressed this kind of cell specificity and developmental change were described as especially aligned with the opportunity.
Were cross-species comparisons allowed or encouraged?
Yes. The announcement encouraged cross-species analyses, noting value in designs comparing epigenomic mechanisms across model organisms and humans to strengthen causal inference, mechanistic interpretation, or translational relevance.
What NIH grant mechanism did this opportunity use?
This FOA used the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant mechanism (R21), which is typically intended for novel, higher-risk ideas, pilot studies, or projects that generate foundational datasets or proof-of-concept evidence rather than fully mature research programs.
Is an R21 meant for fully developed research programs?
No. Based on the description provided, the R21 mechanism is positioned for exploratory and developmental work, including pilot studies and proof-of-concept efforts, rather than large, fully mature research programs.
Was there a companion funding opportunity with the same scientific scope?
Yes. This R21 announcement was released in parallel with a companion announcement using the R01 mechanism (RFA-MH-11-030) and described as having identical scientific scope. Investigators could pursue the same topic area via an exploratory R21 or a more extensive R01, depending on readiness and scope.
How much funding was expected overall across related awards?
NIMH anticipated a combined investment of about $5,000,000 in total costs in Fiscal Year 2011 to support 10 or more total awards across both the R01 and R21 announcements together.
What was the award ceiling for the R21 under this announcement?
For the R21 under RFA-MH-11-031, the listed award ceiling was $200,000 (as presented in the source listing).
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The information provided states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program area?
The CFDA number associated with the program area was 93.242 (Mental Health Research Grants).
Who was the lead NIH institute for this opportunity?
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) led this NIH grant announcement.
What types of organizations were eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included many organization types typically eligible for NIH grants. Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), state and local governments (including county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations (with small businesses explicitly listed as eligible).
Were tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility description explicitly included federally recognized and other tribal governments and organizations.
Were minority-serving institutions included in eligibility?
Yes. The eligibility description explicitly included Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Could faith-based or community-based organizations apply?
Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations were explicitly included in the eligibility description provided.
Were U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The eligibility description explicitly included U.S. territories or possessions.
Were non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility description explicitly included non-U.S. (foreign) organizations.
Were federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility description included eligible federal agencies.
When was the announcement posted?
The announcement was posted and created on July 13, 2010.
What was the application closing date?
The original (and current) closing date listed was October 20, 2010.
Was this funding opportunity archived?
Yes. It was later archived on November 20, 2010.
Where could applicants find the full announcement?
The full announcement was available through the NIH Grants Guide at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-11-031.html.
Who should be contacted for access or technical issues related to the listing?
For access or technical issues, the listing directed applicants to contact the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
What does it mean that this was a discretionary NIH grant announcement?
Based on the information provided, the opportunity is described as a discretionary NIH grant announcement led by NIMH. The provided description does not add additional constraints beyond the stated scientific scope, mechanism, and eligibility.
What kinds of study designs seem especially well-aligned with the FOA emphasis?
The information provided indicates that studies explicitly addressing cell specificity and developmental shifts (for example, neuronal versus glial patterns or changing chromatin states during development), and studies using cross-species comparisons to improve causal or mechanistic interpretation, were especially aligned with the FOA emphasis.
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