Innovative Questions in Symptom Science and Genomics (R21) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Innovative Questions in Symptom Science and Genomics (R21) opportunity?

This opportunity (PA-16-023) is a discretionary NIH grant program under HHS (listing shown as HHS-NIH11). It supports early-stage, high-impact research in nursing science that is explicitly driven by a set of "innovative questions" in two connected areas: symptom science and genomics.

Which agency administers this grant?

The program is administered by NIH under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agency listing is shown as HHS-NIH11.

What does "R21" mean for this funding opportunity?

It is an R21 mechanism, which generally emphasizes exploratory and developmental research. In practical terms, it signals support for high-risk/high-reward ideas and early-stage projects where preliminary data may be limited, but the potential impact could be substantial.

What research areas does this opportunity focus on?

The focus is on the intersection of symptom science and genomics within nursing science. Projects are expected to advance understanding of symptoms and explore how genomic factors and related biological mechanisms may contribute to symptom differences across individuals or populations.

What is meant by "innovative questions" in this program?

The program is designed to begin with bold, field-defining questions rather than incremental extensions of existing work. The "innovative questions" are intentionally broad, serving as starting points that investigators can translate into novel hypotheses, exploratory aims, or well-defined problems that need solutions.

How should applicants use the innovative questions to build a project?

Applicants are expected to start from the broad innovative questions and convert them into specific, novel hypotheses or exploratory aims. The goal is to create a clearly defined, high-impact exploratory study that reflects the question-driven intent of the program.

What types of outcomes or contributions are projects expected to make?

Projects are expected to contribute new insights into how symptoms arise, persist, cluster, or respond to interventions, and how genomic factors and related biological mechanisms may help explain symptom variability. The program also aims to catalyze new concepts, methods, or technologies that can accelerate progress in symptom and genomic nursing science.

Why does this opportunity combine symptom science and genomics?

The combined focus highlights interest in connecting patient-experienced outcomes (symptoms) to underlying biological and genetic contributors. The long-term implication described is improved prediction, prevention, and management of symptoms through more precise or personalized approaches.

Is this program intended for incremental research or more exploratory ideas?

It is oriented toward exploratory, high-impact work. The stated intent is to catalyze cutting-edge conceptual advances and new technologies by starting from bold questions rather than incremental extensions of existing research.

What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?

The maximum award amount listed is an award ceiling of $200,000.

Is the program expected to make multiple awards?

The listing does not specify the number of expected awards. However, the stated intent is to seed multiple innovative, question-driven pilot projects that can open new lines of investigation in symptom and genomic nursing science.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.361.

How is this opportunity categorized?

The opportunity is categorized under Education and Health.

What are the posting and closing dates shown for this opportunity?

The posting and creation dates are October 30, 2015. The closing date shown is January 7, 2019 (with both original and current closing dates listed as the same).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many public and private entity types, including state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions when specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and additional categories referenced under an "Others" clause for clarification.

Does the broad eligibility mean non-academic organizations can apply?

Yes. The eligibility list includes governmental entities, nonprofits, for-profits (including small businesses), tribal organizations, and other categories, suggesting the program is open to academic, clinical, community-based, governmental, nonprofit, and industry-adjacent teams, as long as the proposed project aligns with the innovative question framework.

What kind of research positioning does NIH appear to want from applicants?

Based on the description, NIH is looking for creative, forward-looking nursing science research that starts with big, discipline-shaping questions and translates those questions into testable, innovative exploratory studies. Emphasis is placed on generating new concepts, methods, or technological approaches.

What is the long-term goal implied by the program description?

The long-term implication described is improving prediction, prevention, and management of symptoms through more precise or personalized approaches informed by genomic perspectives and related biological mechanisms.

Does the description require applicants to have extensive preliminary data?

The description notes that, as an R21, preliminary data may be limited. The emphasis is on high-risk/high-reward exploratory work with significant potential payoff.