Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 22 130
Apply for RFA MH 22 130
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Integrating Mental Health Care into Health Care Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.393.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-02-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-08-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity "Integrating Mental Health Care into Health Care Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-22-130) supports research that tests practical ways to fold mental health care into existing health care programs that already treat chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The central idea is to take well-established service platforms for chronic communicable diseases (for example, long-term HIV or TB care models) and non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other long-term conditions) and use those real-world delivery systems as the backbone for identifying, treating, and managing mental illnesses in patients who have both mental health and chronic medical conditions. The FOA is positioned around implementation within routine care rather than creating stand-alone mental health programs, with an emphasis on approaches that could be sustained and scaled in resource-limited settings.
This announcement invites applications for NIH research project grants using the R01 mechanism (and also references R21 as part of the broader FOA scope), with clinical trials allowed but not required ("Clinical Trial Optional"). Projects are expected to build directly on existing chronic care delivery structures and show how those structures can be adapted to include mental health assessment and care without disrupting core medical services. A strong application would typically focus on an integrated care model or intervention that coordinates across conditions (multi-disease) and across different layers of the health system (multi-level). That can include work at the patient level (screening, treatment engagement, adherence support), provider level (training, decision support, task-sharing with non-specialists), facility level (care pathways, referral systems, supervision), and system level (information systems, financing, policy alignment, quality improvement). The point is to demonstrate integrated care that improves both mental health outcomes and chronic disease outcomes, and to show that the approach can work under the constraints common in LMIC health systems.
A key feature of the FOA is its focus on comorbidity and the real operational challenge of managing multiple chronic conditions at once. Rather than treating mental illness as an add-on, the research is intended to develop and evaluate feasible methods for multi-disease treatment management, including how to monitor patients over time, coordinate medication management and behavioral interventions, and align follow-up schedules with chronic disease visits. The NIH is looking for research that can generate evidence not only on whether an integrated model works, but also on how it can be delivered effectively in settings with limited specialists, variable infrastructure, and competing clinical priorities. The FOA also highlights the importance of outcomes at both the patient level (symptom burden, functioning, quality of life, adherence, retention in care) and the system level (coverage, efficiency, quality, workflow impact, cost-related measures, and potential scalability).
Although the work is targeted to LMIC contexts, the announcement explicitly notes that findings should be relevant across low-resource settings, including in the United States. In practice, that signals an interest in generalizable lessons about integrating mental health into chronic care platforms that may also apply to underserved or resource-constrained U.S. communities, safety-net systems, rural settings, or populations facing structural barriers to care. The emphasis on pragmatic integration, task-sharing, and systems-level design tends to translate well across contexts where specialist mental health capacity is limited.
Eligibility for this grant is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, as well as an "Others" category. The FOA also calls out additional eligible entities such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth aligns with the integrated-care theme, since strong projects often require partnerships among universities, ministries of health or local governments, health systems, and community organizations.
Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant, under activity areas of education and health, and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.393. The NIH is the sponsoring agency. The original closing date listed in the source data is August 4, 2022, and the FOA creation date is February 10, 2022. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source details, which is not unusual for NIH FOAs where budgets depend on the proposed scope and institute priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this NIH funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Integrating Mental Health Care into Health Care Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)," Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-22-130.
What is the main goal of RFA-MH-22-130?
The goal is to support research that tests practical, real-world ways to integrate mental health care into existing health care programs that already manage chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The emphasis is on using established chronic care platforms as the backbone for identifying, treating, and managing mental illnesses in patients who have both mental health and chronic medical conditions.
What does "integrating mental health care into health care systems" mean in this FOA?
In this FOA, integration means building mental health assessment and care into routine chronic disease services rather than creating separate, stand-alone mental health programs. Applicants are expected to adapt existing delivery structures so mental health care can be delivered alongside chronic disease care without disrupting core medical services.
Which health care platforms does the FOA expect applicants to build on?
The FOA highlights well-established service platforms for chronic communicable diseases (for example, long-term HIV or TB care models) and non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other long-term conditions). These existing platforms are intended to serve as the foundation for integrated mental health care.
Is the focus only on LMICs?
The work is targeted to LMIC contexts, but the FOA explicitly notes that findings should be relevant across low-resource settings, including in the United States. This points to an interest in generalizable lessons that may apply to underserved or resource-constrained U.S. communities, safety-net systems, rural settings, or populations facing structural barriers to care.
What grant mechanism is being used?
The announcement invites applications using the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism. The FOA also references R21 as part of the broader FOA scope.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means clinical trials are allowed but not required.
What kinds of projects are expected to be responsive?
Projects are expected to build directly on existing chronic care delivery structures and demonstrate how those structures can be adapted to include mental health assessment and care. The FOA signals that strong applications typically focus on an integrated care model or intervention that is multi-disease (coordinating care across conditions) and multi-level (working across different layers of the health system).
What does the FOA mean by multi-disease and multi-level integration?
Multi-disease integration refers to coordinating care for mental health conditions alongside chronic medical conditions. Multi-level integration refers to addressing multiple layers of the health system, potentially including patient-level, provider-level, facility-level, and system-level strategies.
What patient-level components are mentioned as potential areas of focus?
The FOA notes that integrated approaches can include patient-level elements such as screening, treatment engagement, and adherence support.
What provider-level components are mentioned?
Provider-level components can include training, decision support, and task-sharing with non-specialists.
What facility-level components are mentioned?
Facility-level components can include care pathways, referral systems, and supervision approaches that support integrated care in routine services.
What system-level components are mentioned?
System-level components can include information systems, financing, policy alignment, and quality improvement activities that enable and sustain integrated mental health and chronic disease care.
Why does the FOA emphasize comorbidity?
A key feature is the focus on comorbidity and the operational challenge of managing multiple chronic conditions at once. The FOA is aimed at feasible methods for multi-disease treatment management in routine care settings, rather than treating mental illness as a simple add-on.
What types of chronic conditions are highlighted in the FOA?
The FOA highlights chronic communicable diseases like HIV and TB, as well as non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, along with other long-term conditions.
What kinds of integrated care activities does the FOA describe?
The FOA describes research that can address practical care delivery issues such as monitoring patients over time, coordinating medication management and behavioral interventions, and aligning follow-up schedules with chronic disease visits.
What kinds of constraints should projects be designed to work under?
The FOA emphasizes implementation under constraints common in LMIC health systems, including limited specialist availability, variable infrastructure, and competing clinical priorities. The overall intent is pragmatic integration that can be sustained and scaled in resource-limited settings.
What outcomes does NIH want applicants to measure?
The FOA highlights outcomes at both patient and system levels. Patient-level outcomes can include symptom burden, functioning, quality of life, adherence, and retention in care. System-level outcomes can include coverage, efficiency, quality, workflow impact, cost-related measures, and potential scalability.
Does the FOA prioritize implementation within routine care?
Yes. The FOA is positioned around implementation within routine care rather than creating separate mental health programs. It emphasizes approaches that are practical, sustainable, and scalable in resource-limited settings.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based and non-U.S. organizations. Eligible applicants listed include various levels of government, independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and other eligible entities described in the FOA.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations).
Are U.S. minority-serving institutions and community organizations included in eligibility?
Yes. The FOA calls out additional eligible entities including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISISs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, and faith-based and community-based organizations.
Are for-profit entities eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed separately as eligible.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA includes eligible federal agencies in its list of additional eligible entities.
What is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
How is this opportunity categorized administratively?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant, under activity areas of education and health.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242 and 93.393.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MH-22-130.
When was the FOA created?
The FOA creation date listed in the provided information is February 10, 2022.
What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed in the provided information is August 4, 2022.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is not specified in the provided source details.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided source details.
Is this FOA intended to support stand-alone mental health programs?
No. The FOA emphasizes integrating mental health care into existing chronic care service platforms and implementing within routine care, rather than creating stand-alone mental health programs.
What kind of evidence is NIH looking for from funded research?
The FOA indicates interest in evidence not only on whether an integrated model works, but also on how it can be delivered effectively in real-world settings with limited specialists, variable infrastructure, and competing priorities, including information relevant to sustainability and scalability.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: Coordinating Center to Support Research on Community Level Interventions for Firearm and Related Violence, Injury and Mortality Prevention (CLIF-VP) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Small Business Innovation Research Program - Phase II
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA MH 22 130
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA MH 22 130) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Limited Competition: NIH Neuroscience Doctoral Readiness Program (DR. Program) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 035 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Data, Evaluation and Coordinating Center for: A Multilevel Approach to Connecting Underrepresented Populations to Clinical Trials (CUSP2CT) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 014 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Investigating Transposable Elements and Mobile DNA as Targets of Integration for Establishing HIV Reservoirs in the Brain (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 23 003 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 086 Funding Number: PAR 22 086 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 085 Funding Number: PAR 22 085 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Administrative Supplements to Support Cancer Disparity Collaborative Research (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 114 Funding Number: PAR 22 114 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Implementing Comprehensive HIV services in Syringe Service Program (SSP) Settings (R34 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 23 007 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Implementing Comprehensive HIV services in Syringe Service Program (SSP) Settings (R01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DA 23 006 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Control Research in Persistent Poverty Areas (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 22 015 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bioengineering Partnerships with Industry (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 123 Funding Number: PAR 22 123 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar (StARRTS) (K38 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HL 23 007 Funding Number: RFA HL 23 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enhancing Social Connectedness and Ameliorating Loneliness to Prevent and Treat SUD and Support Recovery (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 23 009 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enhancing Social Connectedness and Ameliorating Loneliness to Prevent and Treat SUD and Support Recovery (R34 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 23 010 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short-Term Research Education Experiences to Attract Talented Students to Biomedical Informatics/Data Science Careers and Enhance Diversity (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA LM 22 001 Funding Number: RFA LM 22 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| NIDA Research Center of Excellence Grant Program (P50 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 133 Funding Number: PAR 22 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program Expansion: CNS Data Generation for Chronic Opioid, Methamphetamine, Cocaine and/or Cannabinoid Exposures (U01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 23 004 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Avenir Award Program for Chemistry and Pharmacology of Substance Use Disorders (DP1- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 23 014 Funding Number: RFA DA 23 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small Business Transition Grant For Early Career Scientists (R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA CA 22 017 Funding Number: RFA CA 22 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Technology Development Research for Establishing Feasibility and Proof of Concept (R21 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 126 Funding Number: PAR 22 126 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Focused Technology Research and Development (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 127 Funding Number: PAR 22 127 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA MH 22 130", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
