Improving Evidence Based Mental Health Screening and Treatment for Persons with Mental Disorders in the Justice System (R34) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to support pilot research on improving how evidence-based mental health screening, diagnosis, treatment, services, and suicide prevention are delivered to people with mental disorders who are involved in the justice system. The FOA is titled: "Improving Evidence Based Mental Health Screening and Treatment for Persons with Mental Disorders in the Justice System (R34)."

What is the FOA number and activity mechanism?

The FOA number is RFA-MH-11-061. It uses the NIMH Pilot Intervention and Services Research grant mechanism (R34).

What is the main goal of the FOA?

The main goal is to fund early, practical pilot work that strengthens the foundation for later studies that test whether specific delivery and implementation strategies work in real-world justice settings. The focus is on closing the implementation gap where proven mental health interventions do not consistently reach justice-involved people with adequate quality.

Is this FOA intended to fund large definitive clinical trials?

No. The central idea is to support pilot research and preparatory work, not large definitive trials right away. The expectation is that pilot findings will help set up stronger future studies that more directly test effectiveness of delivery strategies in justice settings.

Who is the target population for the research?

The target population is people with mental disorders who are involved in the justice system, including individuals who are detained or incarcerated, supervised in the community (such as probation or parole), or transitioning from custody back into the community.

What justice settings are eligible for study?

Projects may take place in adult criminal justice or juvenile justice environments, including: (1) incarceration or detention facilities, (2) community corrections such as probation and parole, and (3) programs designed to support transition from custody back into the community.

Are any settings prioritized?

Yes. While multiple justice settings are eligible, the FOA places particular priority on studies that address delivery of mental health treatment during incarceration. Proposals focused on treatment access and quality inside jails, prisons, or detention centers are especially aligned with the stated priorities.

What types of pilot studies does the FOA encourage?

The FOA encourages pilot studies that prepare for later effectiveness testing of strategies to improve mental health care in justice settings. This includes practical and feasibility-oriented work aimed at improving how evidence-based care is delivered under real-world justice constraints.

What research themes or topics are specifically highlighted?

The announcement highlights pilot work in areas such as developing or refining approaches to mental health screening or diagnostic processes, improving delivery of evidence-based mental health treatments or services within justice contexts, and increasing adherence or engagement with those treatments or services when delivered under justice supervision.

Is suicide prevention included in the scope of this FOA?

Yes. Suicide prevention during incarceration is explicitly highlighted as an area of interest, reflecting elevated suicide risk in custodial environments and the need for prevention strategies that can be implemented within detention settings.

Does the FOA support development of entirely new clinical therapies?

The emphasis is on evidence-based interventions for disorders commonly encountered in justice populations, where effective interventions already exist. Applicants were expected to build from established treatments and services rather than inventing entirely new clinical therapies. The focus is on delivery and implementation strategies.

What does "implementation gap" mean in the context of this FOA?

In this FOA, the implementation gap refers to the problem that even when proven mental health interventions exist, they often do not reach justice-involved individuals consistently, with adequate quality, or in ways that support continuity and engagement. The FOA aims to fund pilot work that improves real-world delivery.

What kinds of delivery and implementation improvements are in scope?

The FOA emphasizes strategies and operational practices that can improve uptake, fidelity, continuity of care, and sustained engagement with evidence-based mental health treatments and services in justice settings.

Is there a related or companion funding announcement?

Yes. This R34 FOA ran in parallel with a companion announcement of identical scientific scope that used the R01 mechanism (MH 11 060). The pairing signals a pipeline where R34 supports preparatory and feasibility work and R01 supports larger-scale research once pilot groundwork is complete.

How much funding did NIMH plan to commit, and how many awards were anticipated?

NIMH planned to commit about $3,000,000 in total costs in fiscal year 2011 across this FOA and its companion announcement, with an anticipated total of 4 to 5 awards.

What was the award ceiling for this R34 opportunity?

The award ceiling listed for this R34 opportunity was $450,000.

Is there any cost-sharing or matching requirement?

No. The FOA stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

What is the CFDA number and program area?

The program was categorized as discretionary grant funding in the health area under CFDA 93.242 (Mental Health Research Grants).

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included: public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); and government entities at multiple levels (state, county, city/township, special districts). Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities were also eligible.

Are tribal and territorial entities included in eligibility?

Yes. The FOA explicitly included tribal governments and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized) as well as U.S. territories or possessions.

Are specific institution types and community-based organizations explicitly included?

Yes. The FOA explicitly listed institution types and communities such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), and faith-based or community-based organizations, among others (including regional organizations).

Were federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Federal agencies were included among eligible applicants, indicating openness to research partnerships and capacity across federal entities when appropriate.

When was the FOA posted and what were the key dates?

The FOA was posted on August 26, 2010. The original (and final) application closing date was November 30, 2010. The archive date was December 31, 2010.

Where were additional administrative details provided?

Additional details were made available through the NIH grants guide webpage linked in the announcement. NIH's Office of Extramural Research (OER) provided webmaster contact information for access or linking problems.

What is the overall problem this FOA is trying to address?

The FOA targets a practical and persistent problem: justice settings can make it difficult to implement effective mental health interventions consistently. By funding pilot studies aimed at real-world delivery strategies (especially within incarceration), NIMH sought to build a foundation for stronger future research and ultimately improve mental health outcomes and suicide prevention for justice-involved people with mental disorders.