Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 06 249
Apply for PAR 06 249
- The National Institutes of Health in the education health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mechanism for Time Sensitive Research Opportunities (R03)" 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 93.273 Alcohol Research Programs 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 16, 2008 and posted on Mar 17, 2006.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Multiple Receipt Dates See Link to Full Announcement for details.. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities For profit organizations other than small businesses City or township governments State governments County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).
- Foreign institutions are eligible to apply. Eligible agencies of the Federal Government are eligible to apply. Faith based or community based organizations are eligible.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The NIH funding opportunity "Mechanism for Time Sensitive Research Opportunities (R03)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-06-249) was designed to support small, fast-moving research projects in mental health and substance use-related fields where the window to study a real-world change is limited. The core idea is to fund empirical research that must be launched quickly because the underlying conditions are changing in real time, such as shifts in service delivery systems, health care financing, policy reforms, or other rapidly evolving environments that affect mental health, alcohol, and drug services. In practice, this announcement is aimed at researchers who have a well-defined question tied to an urgent, time-limited opportunity, where waiting for a traditional grant cycle would mean missing the chance to collect meaningful data.
This FOA uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is specifically intended for small research projects that can be completed in a relatively short period with limited resources. The R03 mechanism is not renewable, which reinforces the expectation that proposed studies are targeted, efficient, and focused on producing results quickly rather than building a long, multi-phase program of research under the same award. The announcement also notes that it runs in parallel with other NIH opportunities of the same scientific scope but different grant mechanisms, including an R01 version (PAR-05-150) for larger, traditional research projects and an R34 option (PAR-06-250) for exploratory work in mental health intervention and services research. That parallel structure signals that NIH wanted to support the same general kinds of time-sensitive topics, but at different scales and stages of research development.
The maximum award amount listed is an award ceiling of $50,000, reflecting the small-grant nature of the R03. The FOA emphasizes that the total number of awards and total dollars actually awarded depend on typical NIH factors: how many applications are submitted, the scientific merit and overall quality of those applications, the proposed project duration and budget, and the availability of funds across participating NIH Institutes and Centers. In other words, there is no guaranteed number of awards; funding decisions follow peer review outcomes and institute-level budget priorities.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that conduct or support research. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, independent school districts, special district governments, public housing authorities (including Indian housing authorities), city/township, county, and state governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations. The FOA also allows applications from for-profit organizations other than small businesses. In addition, it explicitly states that foreign institutions may apply, eligible federal agencies may apply, and faith-based or community-based organizations are eligible, which widens the pool beyond the typical university-centered applicant base and reflects the applied, services-oriented nature of the research being solicited.
Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant in the education and health activity area and is associated with CFDA numbers tied to mental health research (93.242), alcohol research programs (93.273), and drug abuse and addiction research programs (93.279). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award. The FOA was posted on March 17, 2006, and used multiple receipt dates (rather than a single deadline), with applicants directed to the full announcement for the specific schedule. The archive date is July 10, 2009, indicating that this particular posting is no longer active, though similar time-sensitive mechanisms may exist under newer NIH announcements.
For applicants trying to determine fit, the practical takeaway is that PAR-06-249 was meant for tightly scoped, rapidly executable studies in mental health and substance use services research (and broader alcohol/drug research) where timing is critical. The best-aligned projects would be those that can credibly be completed with modest funding, rely on a clear and immediate natural experiment or system change, and produce actionable findings before the opportunity disappears. The full announcement was hosted by NIH and included additional details on application requirements and deadlines, with technical access support available through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Mechanism for Time Sensitive Research Opportunities (R03)" funding opportunity (PAR-06-249)?
PAR-06-249 is an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) designed to support small, fast-moving empirical research projects in mental health and substance use-related fields. It targets situations where the chance to study an important real-world change is limited because conditions are shifting in real time.
What does "time sensitive" mean in the context of this FOA?
"Time sensitive" refers to research opportunities where the window to collect meaningful data is short, and delaying to fit a traditional grant timeline could mean missing the opportunity altogether. The FOA focuses on projects that must be launched quickly because the underlying environment is changing.
What kinds of real-world changes does this FOA emphasize?
The FOA highlights changes such as shifts in service delivery systems, health care financing changes, policy reforms, and other rapidly evolving environments that affect mental health, alcohol, and drug services.
What research areas are included under this opportunity?
The FOA is focused on mental health and substance use-related fields, including research connected to mental health services, alcohol-related research, and drug abuse/addiction-related research. It is oriented toward applied, services-related questions where timing is critical.
What grant mechanism does this FOA use?
This FOA uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is intended for small research projects that can be completed in a relatively short period with limited resources.
Is the R03 award under this FOA renewable?
No. The R03 mechanism described here is not renewable, reinforcing the expectation that projects are targeted and designed to produce results quickly rather than support a long, multi-phase research program under the same award.
How is this R03 FOA related to other NIH opportunities?
The FOA runs in parallel with other NIH opportunities that cover similar time-sensitive scientific scope but use different mechanisms. It references an R01 version (PAR-05-150) for larger, traditional projects and an R34 option (PAR-06-250) for exploratory work in mental health intervention and services research.
What is the maximum award amount?
The FOA lists an award ceiling of $50,000, consistent with the small-grant nature of the R03 mechanism.
Is there a guaranteed number of awards?
No. The FOA notes that the total number of awards and total dollars awarded depend on typical NIH factors such as the number of applications received, scientific merit and overall application quality, the proposed project duration and budget, and the availability of funds across participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
What factors influence whether an application is funded?
Based on the FOA description, funding depends on peer review outcomes (scientific merit and quality), how many applications are submitted, the requested budget and project duration, and the availability of funds and priorities within participating NIH Institutes and Centers.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. The FOA includes public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status), independent school districts, special district governments, public housing authorities (including Indian housing authorities), city/township governments, county and state governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA allows applications from for-profit organizations other than small businesses.
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly states that foreign institutions may apply.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. The FOA states that eligible federal agencies may apply.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly notes that faith-based or community-based organizations are eligible.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.
How is this opportunity categorized administratively?
The FOA is categorized as a discretionary grant in the education and health activity area and is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242 (mental health research), 93.273 (alcohol research programs), and 93.279 (drug abuse and addiction research programs).
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted on March 17, 2006.
Did the FOA have a single deadline?
No. The FOA used multiple receipt dates rather than a single deadline, and applicants were directed to the full announcement for the specific schedule.
Is this FOA still active?
No. The archive date is July 10, 2009, indicating this particular posting is no longer active, even though similar time-sensitive mechanisms may exist under newer NIH announcements.
What types of projects are the best fit for PAR-06-249?
The FOA is best aligned with tightly scoped, rapidly executable studies that can credibly be completed with modest funding, are tied to an immediate and time-limited opportunity (such as a natural experiment or system change), and can produce useful findings before the window to observe the change closes.
What is the main practical reason to use this mechanism instead of a traditional grant cycle?
The FOA is meant for situations where waiting for a traditional grant cycle would likely cause the research team to miss the chance to collect timely, meaningful data about a real-world change.
Where could applicants find additional submission details and support?
The FOA indicates that the full announcement hosted by NIH included additional details on application requirements and deadlines, and that technical access support was available through the NIH Office of Extramural Research webmaster.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education Health
Next opportunity: Mechanism for Time Sensitive Research Opportunities (R34)
Previous opportunity: Public Health Conference Support Program
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 PAR 06 249
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 06 249) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Support Opportunity for Addiction Research (SOAR) for New Investigators (R03) Apply for RFA DA 09 021 Funding Number: RFA DA 09 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology Research (K26) Apply for PAR 09 053 Funding Number: PAR 09 053 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (STTR) R41/R42 Apply for PA 09 054 Funding Number: PA 09 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Tools for Germplasm Cryopreservation (SBIR) R43/R44 Apply for PA 09 055 Funding Number: PA 09 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pre application for a Biomedical Technology Research Resource (X02) Apply for PAR 08 260 Funding Number: PAR 08 260 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH Supported Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities (CPHHD) (P50) Apply for RFA CA 09 001 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Informatics Training for Global Health (ITGH) (D43) Apply for RFA TW 09 001 Funding Number: RFA TW 09 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $230,000 |
| Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership (Limited Competition U54) Apply for RFA CA 09 501 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 501 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Prevention Research Small Grant Program (R03) Apply for PAR 08 055 Funding Number: PAR 08 055 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Genome Characterization Centers and Genome Data Analysis Centers for The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network (TCGA)U24 Apply for RFA CA 09 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Imaging Science Track Award for Research Transition (I/START) R03 Apply for PAR 09 073 Funding Number: PAR 09 073 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NINR Mentored Research Scientist Development Award for Underrepresented or Disadvantaged Investigators (K01) Apply for PAR 09 074 Funding Number: PAR 09 074 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award (U54) Apply for RFA RM 09 004 Funding Number: RFA RM 09 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transdisciplinary Cancer Genomics Research Post Genome Wide Association (Post GWA) Initiative (U19) Apply for RFA CA 09 002 Funding Number: RFA CA 09 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral, and Population Sciences Career Development Award (K07) Apply for PAR 09 078 Funding Number: PAR 09 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (P20) Apply for PAR 09 079 Funding Number: PAR 09 079 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Established Investigator Award in Cancer Prevention Control (K05) Apply for PAR 09 088 Funding Number: PAR 09 088 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) Apply for PAR 09 089 Funding Number: PAR 09 089 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| NIDA Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR R44) Competing Renewal Awards Apply for PA 06 036 Funding Number: PA 06 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Therapeutics Development for HIV/AIDS Associated Neuropsychological Disorders (STTRR41/R42) Apply for PA 06 433 Funding Number: PA 06 433 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
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 "PAR 06 249", 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.