Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 13 014
Apply for RFA NS 13 014
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pilot Projects on Sports Related Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.866 Aging Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 20, 2013 and posted on Mar 12, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 14, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 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 that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Special district governments Independent school districts Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) City or township governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs) 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 Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The funding opportunity titled "Pilot Projects on Sports Related Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-NS-13-014) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant initiative designed to kick-start early stage, exploratory research focused on injuries that occur in sports settings, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). The core purpose is to support pilot projects, meaning smaller, proof-of-concept studies that can generate initial data, test new ideas, or refine methods that may later grow into larger, more definitive research programs. As an R21 mechanism, the emphasis is generally on innovation and feasibility rather than on having extensive preliminary data, making it a good fit for teams that are proposing newer approaches or are entering this research area with a promising, well-reasoned concept.
This opportunity sits within NIH's broader health research mission and is associated with several CFDA program areas that reflect the cross-cutting nature of sports-related neurotrauma and its consequences. The listed CFDA numbers span neurosciences and neurological disorders (93.853), child health and human development (93.865), aging research (93.866), mental health research (93.242), drug abuse and addiction programs (93.279), technological innovations to improve human health (93.286), and research related to deafness and communication disorders (93.173). Taken together, these categories signal that NIH expected a wide range of relevant pilot concepts, from the acute biomechanics and neurobiology of injury through longer-term outcomes and comorbidities, including cognitive, behavioral, communication, developmental, and potentially substance-use-related dimensions that can intersect with recovery, risk, or quality of life.
The award is structured as a grant with an award ceiling of $200,000, and the overall estimated total funding for the initiative is $1,000,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier for applicants who might not have access to institutional matching funds. Because this is a pilot-focused program with a defined cap, applicants would typically need to propose a tightly scoped project with clear milestones, a realistic budget, and a strong justification for why the work can be accomplished within the limits of an R21. In practice, competitive proposals under opportunities like this often focus on generating actionable preliminary data, validating a novel measurement tool or biomarker, testing an intervention concept at a small scale, or establishing feasibility for recruitment, assessment, or longitudinal follow-up in athletic populations.
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of public and private entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), as well as public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities. On the nonprofit side, both 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (again, other than institutions of higher education) are eligible. Higher education institutions are explicitly included, both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. The program also permits applications from small businesses and for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), which is important for technology-driven pilot work such as diagnostics, protective equipment concepts, imaging/monitoring tools, or digital health approaches relevant to sports injury detection and management.
The announcement also expands eligibility to a number of mission-relevant institution types and organizational categories, including faith-based and community-based organizations, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It further allows eligible federal agencies to apply and includes regional organizations and U.S. territories or possessions. Importantly, non-U.S. entities are eligible as well: foreign organizations and foreign institutions may apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also eligible. NIH foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which indicates that the initiative was open to international expertise and study settings when scientifically justified.
In terms of timing, the opportunity was posted on March 12, 2013, with a closing date of May 14, 2013, and it was later archived on June 14, 2013. While that means this specific solicitation is no longer open, the details remain useful as a reference point for understanding how NIH has structured pilot funding in sports-related neurotrauma and what kinds of applicants and project concepts NIH sought to encourage at that time.
For applicants or readers who need the original full announcement text, NIH provided an Additional Information link to the NIH grants site (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-13-014.html). For technical issues accessing or linking to the funding announcement, the contact listed is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Pilot Projects on Sports Related Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (R21) - RFA-NS-13-014
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Pilot Projects on Sports Related Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (R21)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-NS-13-014.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant initiative.
What type of grant mechanism is this?
This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is generally intended for early stage, exploratory, and developmental research projects.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The purpose is to support pilot projects that kick-start early stage, exploratory research on injuries that occur in sports settings, specifically traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI).
What kinds of injuries does the program focus on?
The program specifically targets sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) and sports-related spinal cord injury (SCI).
What does NIH mean by "pilot projects" in this context?
In this opportunity, pilot projects are smaller, proof-of-concept studies intended to generate initial data, test new ideas, or refine methods that could later grow into larger and more definitive research programs.
Is preliminary data required for an R21 application under this opportunity?
As an R21 mechanism, the emphasis is generally on innovation and feasibility rather than extensive preliminary data, making it a fit for newer approaches or teams entering this research area with a well-reasoned concept.
How much funding can a single award receive?
The award ceiling is $200,000.
What is the total amount of funding estimated for the initiative?
The overall estimated total funding for the initiative is $1,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What types of projects are typically a good fit for this pilot-focused program?
Based on the description provided, well-aligned pilot concepts often include tightly scoped projects designed to generate actionable preliminary data, validate a novel measurement tool or biomarker, test an intervention concept at a small scale, or establish feasibility for recruitment, assessment, or longitudinal follow-up in athletic populations.
What does the funding cap imply for project scope and budgeting?
Because the program is pilot-focused with a defined cap, applicants would typically need to propose a tightly scoped project with clear milestones, a realistic budget, and a strong justification for why the work can be completed within the limits of an R21.
Which CFDA program areas are associated with this opportunity?
The announcement lists multiple CFDA areas reflecting the cross-cutting nature of sports-related neurotrauma, including: neurosciences and neurological disorders (93.853), child health and human development (93.865), aging research (93.866), mental health research (93.242), drug abuse and addiction programs (93.279), technological innovations to improve human health (93.286), and research related to deafness and communication disorders (93.173).
Why are there multiple CFDA areas listed?
The multiple CFDA listings indicate NIH expected a wide range of relevant pilot concepts, spanning acute biomechanics and neurobiology through longer-term outcomes and comorbidities, including cognitive, behavioral, communication, developmental, and potentially substance-use-related dimensions that may intersect with recovery, risk, or quality of life.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities such as state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized). It also includes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, eligible nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Both public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are explicitly eligible.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are eligible.
Are small businesses and for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. Small businesses and for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) are eligible, which may be especially relevant for technology-driven pilot work.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement includes faith-based and community-based organizations among the eligible organizational categories.
Are minority-serving institutions included in the eligible applicant types?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. The announcement states that eligible federal agencies are allowed to apply.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The opportunity includes U.S. territories or possessions, and also mentions regional organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Foreign organizations and foreign institutions may apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also eligible.
Are NIH foreign components allowed?
Yes. NIH foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 12, 2013.
What was the closing date for applications?
The closing date was May 14, 2013.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was archived on June 14, 2013, which indicates the specific solicitation is no longer open.
Where can someone find the full original announcement?
The full announcement is available via NIH at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-13-014.html
Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing or linking to the announcement?
For technical issues, the contact listed is the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV.
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