Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA RM 15 019
Apply for RFA RM 15 019
- The HHS-NIH11 in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pre-application: Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC): Foundational Functional Mapping of Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology of Organs (OT1)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.310,.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 17, 2015 and posted on Nov 17, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 15, 2016. (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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Pre-application: Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC): Foundational Functional Mapping of Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology of Organs (OT1)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-RM-15-019) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) announcement under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Agency listed as HHS-NIH11). It sits within the SPARC program area and is categorized as a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding activity category, with CFDA numbers 93.310 listed. The core point of this announcement is that it is not the main research award itself; it is a required pre-application step that applicants must complete if they want to be considered for the companion full application opportunity, "SPARC: Foundational Functional Mapping of Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology of Organs (OT2)" (RFA-RM-15-020). In practical terms, this FOA functions as an initial screening and planning stage: NIH is asking prospective teams to submit a pre-application first, and only those who go through this OT1 step can proceed toward an OT2 submission.
The scientific focus implied by the title and linked program is foundational functional mapping, specifically aimed at the neuroanatomy and neurobiology associated with organs, in the context of SPARC (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions). SPARC, as a concept, centers on understanding and leveraging peripheral nervous system activity to influence organ function and potentially relieve disease conditions. In this specific call, the emphasis is on building foundational maps and understanding of how neural circuits interface with organs, rather than on a narrow clinical trial or a single therapeutic device proposal. The pre-application is essentially NIH's way of shaping and coordinating a portfolio of projects that can collectively advance a detailed, functional understanding of peripheral neural control of organ systems, which can then support later translational efforts.
Because this is an OT1 pre-application tied directly to an OT2 full application, the most important instruction embedded in the announcement is procedural: potential applicants are expected to read and use both FOAs together. The OT1 pre-application is described as the required first step for the OT2 FOA, meaning an applicant cannot skip directly to the OT2 submission without having participated in the OT1 stage. This structure usually signals that NIH wants to manage the application pipeline, assess readiness and fit, and potentially provide guidance or invitations for the next stage. While the provided text does not list award ceiling amounts or the expected number of awards (those fields are blank), the presence of a structured pre-application stage strongly suggests that selection and alignment with program goals are central, and that the OT2 stage is where the primary funding decisions and project execution would occur.
Eligibility for the OT1 pre-application is broad and includes many organization types across the public, nonprofit, academic, tribal, and private sectors. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and 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 and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not higher education institutions under that classification); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and an "other" category with a note to consult the additional eligibility information in the full text for clarification. This wide eligibility suggests NIH anticipated multidisciplinary teams and a mix of contributors, potentially including academic labs, technology developers, mapping and data-resource groups, and other entities capable of producing foundational anatomical and functional mapping resources.
Key dates in the announcement show it was created and posted on November 17, 2015, with an original and current closing date of January 15, 2016. That timeframe indicates a defined submission window for the pre-application stage. Since the announcement is explicitly a pre-application for a companion OT2 FOA, applicants would need to plan around both timelines, ensuring the OT1 submission is completed first and in the manner NIH requires before progressing to any OT2 application activity.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as an entry gate into a larger SPARC funding pathway. The OT1 FOA is meant to capture early, structured proposals from groups aiming to contribute to foundational functional mapping of organ neuroanatomy and neurobiology, with the explicit intent of informing which teams and concepts advance to the OT2 stage. Anyone considering applying would need to treat the OT1 submission not as optional but as mandatory for OT2, and would need to align their concept tightly with the SPARC program's emphasis on peripheral nervous system-organ interactions and the generation of foundational mapping knowledge and resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the official title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Pre-application: Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC): Foundational Functional Mapping of Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology of Organs (OT1)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-RM-15-019.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) announcement under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is listed as HHS-NIH11.
What program area does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity sits within the SPARC program area (Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions).
What type of funding opportunity is this?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding activity category.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.310.
Is this the main research award, or something else?
This is not the main research award. It is a required pre-application step (OT1) that applicants must complete to be considered for the companion full application opportunity.
What is the companion full application opportunity linked to this pre-application?
The companion full application opportunity is "SPARC: Foundational Functional Mapping of Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology of Organs (OT2)" with FOA number RFA-RM-15-020.
Do applicants have to submit this OT1 pre-application to be eligible for OT2?
Yes. The OT1 pre-application is described as the required first step for the OT2 FOA. Applicants cannot skip directly to the OT2 submission without participating in the OT1 stage.
What is the purpose of the OT1 pre-application stage?
Based on the announcement description, OT1 functions as an initial screening and planning stage. NIH is asking prospective teams to submit a pre-application first, and only teams that go through this step can proceed toward an OT2 submission.
What is the scientific focus of this opportunity?
The focus is foundational functional mapping, specifically related to the neuroanatomy and neurobiology of organs, in the context of the SPARC program. The emphasis is on building foundational maps and understanding how neural circuits interface with organs.
How does this relate to the SPARC concept?
SPARC centers on understanding and leveraging peripheral nervous system activity to influence organ function and potentially relieve disease conditions. In this call, the emphasis is on generating foundational mapping knowledge and resources about peripheral neural control of organ systems.
Is this opportunity focused on a clinical trial or a single therapeutic device?
The description indicates the emphasis is on foundational mapping and understanding of neural-organ interfaces, rather than on a narrow clinical trial or a single therapeutic device proposal.
Why does NIH require applicants to use both FOAs together?
The announcement highlights that applicants are expected to read and use both FOAs together because OT1 is the mandatory pre-application step tied directly to OT2, which is the full application stage.
Where do the primary funding decisions and project execution occur: OT1 or OT2?
The description indicates OT1 is a pre-application and planning/screening step, while the OT2 stage is where the primary funding decisions and project execution would occur.
Are award ceiling amounts or the expected number of awards provided?
No. The provided information notes that award ceiling amounts and the expected number of awards are not listed (those fields are blank in the provided text).
Who is eligible to apply for the OT1 pre-application?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types across public, nonprofit, academic, tribal, and private sectors.
Which government entities are eligible?
Eligible government entities include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments.
Are schools and higher education institutions eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments or tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations.
Are housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, as long as they are not categorized as higher education institutions under that classification.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
What does the "other" eligibility category mean?
The eligibility list includes an "other" category with a note to consult additional eligibility information in the full text for clarification.
When was this opportunity posted?
The announcement was created and posted on November 17, 2015.
What is the application closing date for this OT1 pre-application?
The original and current closing date listed is January 15, 2016.
How should applicants think about timing between OT1 and OT2?
Because OT1 is required before OT2, applicants would need to plan around both timelines and ensure the OT1 submission is completed first and in the manner NIH requires before progressing to any OT2 application activity.
What is the overall role of this OT1 opportunity within SPARC?
It is best understood as an entry gate into a larger SPARC funding pathway. OT1 is intended to collect structured pre-applications from groups aiming to contribute to foundational functional mapping of organ neuroanatomy and neurobiology, informing which teams and concepts advance to OT2.
What kinds of contributors does the broad eligibility suggest NIH expected?
The broad eligibility suggests NIH anticipated multidisciplinary teams and a mix of contributors, potentially including academic labs, technology developers, mapping and data-resource groups, and other entities capable of producing foundational anatomical and functional mapping resources.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: Notice of Intent to Award: Fort! Flag! Fourth! (Milestones to History) – Fort McHenry
Previous opportunity: Improving the Capacity of University Based Medical Education and Superior Training Institutions to Provide High Quality Education in the Republic of Mozambique Under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
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 RM 15 019
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA RM 15 019) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Strengthening the National Institutes of Health in the Republic of Mozambique under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH11 1158SUPP Funding Number: CDC RFA GH11 1158SUPP Agency: HHS-CDC Category: Health Funding Amount: $5,251,408 |
| NEI Clinical Study Planning Grant Program (R34) Apply for PA 16 038 Funding Number: PA 16 038 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Novel Nucleic Acid Sequencing Technology Development - Direct to Phase II (R44) Apply for RFA HG 15 039 Funding Number: RFA HG 15 039 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Applied Research Toward Zero Suicide Healthcare Systems (R01) Apply for RFA MH 16 800 Funding Number: RFA MH 16 800 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Comprehensive Community-Based HIV Prevention, Linkage, and Retention Services for Key Populations and Adolescent Girls and Young Women in the United Republic of Tanzania under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH16 1652 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH16 1652 Agency: HHS-CDC-CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: $630,000 |
| NHLBI Early Investigator Award (EIA) (R35) Apply for RFA HL 16 025 Funding Number: RFA HL 16 025 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Supporting Implementation of HIV and TB Services for Epidemic Control in the Republic of Mozambique under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH16 1632 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH16 1632 Agency: HHS-CDC-CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: $80,000,000 |
| Enhancing the Government of India’s Capacity to Scale Up and Improve Comprehensive HIV Service Package Quality for People Who Inject Drugs under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH15 154202CONT16 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH15 154202CONT16 Agency: HHS-CDC Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Flex Rural Veterans Health Access Program Apply for HRSA 16 015 Funding Number: HRSA 16 015 Agency: HHS-HRSA Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Targeted Capacity Expansion-Peer-to-Peer (Short Title: TCE-PTP) Apply for TI 16 008 Funding Number: TI 16 008 Agency: HHS-SAMHS Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Implementing Comprehensive Community Based HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment Services in Priority Areas in the Republic of Zambia under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH16 1668 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH16 1668 Agency: HHS-CDC-CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Cooperative Agreements for Adolescent and Transitional Aged Youth Treatment Implementation [Youth Treatment – Implementation (Short Title –YT-I)] Apply for TI 16 006 Funding Number: TI 16 006 Agency: HHS-SAMHS Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Apply for HRSA 16 069 Funding Number: HRSA 16 069 Agency: HHS-HRSA Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early HIV Treatment to Optimize Patient Health and HIV Prevention Apply for RFA PS 16 006 Funding Number: RFA PS 16 006 Agency: HHS-CDC-HHSCDCERA Category: Health Funding Amount: $495,000 |
| Academic Units for Primary Care Training and Enhancement Apply for HRSA 16 041 Funding Number: HRSA 16 041 Agency: HHS-HRSA Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Administrative Supplements for Complementary Health Practitioner Research Experience (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 16 013 Funding Number: PA 16 013 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Supporting the Implementation and Expansion of High Quality, Sustainable and Comprehensive HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Programs in the Western Region and Turkana County of the Republic of Kenya under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS R Apply for CDC RFA GH16 1619 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH16 1619 Agency: HHS-CDC-CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: $103,000,000 |
| NHLBI Clinical Trial Pilot Studies (R34) Apply for PAR 16 037 Funding Number: PAR 16 037 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Consequences of Inhaled Nicotine (R01) Apply for RFA HL 17 008 Funding Number: RFA HL 17 008 Agency: HHS-NIH11 Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Evaluating the Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Measures on the Incidence of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) among K-12 Students in the United States Apply for RFA CK 16 005 Funding Number: RFA CK 16 005 Agency: HHS-CDC-HHSCDCERA Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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 "RFA RM 15 019", 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.