Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 06 253
Apply for PAR 06 253
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rapid Assessment Post Impact of Disaster (R21)" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 5, 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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Special district governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) State governments County governments Independent school districts Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Foreign institutions are eligible to apply. Eligible agencies of the Federal Government are eligible to apply.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Rapid Assessment Post Impact of Disaster (R21) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-06-253) is a National Institutes of Health grant announcement designed to fund research that must begin immediately after a disaster occurs. The central idea is speed: it provides a rapid mechanism so investigators can gain timely access to disaster-affected areas and collect perishable data in the immediate aftermath, when conditions, exposures, and early psychological or behavioral responses can be measured most accurately. This program uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21) mechanism, which is typically meant for early-stage, high-impact, or time-sensitive projects where fast initiation is critical. The announcement also notes that a parallel funding opportunity exists with the same scientific scope under the NIH R03 small grant mechanism (PAR-06-252), giving applicants an alternative pathway depending on the size and maturity of the proposed work.
A key expectation built into this program is that applicants communicate with National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) program staff before submitting a Rapid Assessment (RAPID) application. That pre-submission contact is strongly encouraged so investigators can confirm that the proposed project fits the program’s intent, understand whether RAPID funding is likely to be available at that time, and decide whether the concept should instead be developed into a more fully detailed, standard application. In practical terms, the FOA is aimed at studies that cannot wait for the usual grant timelines because delays would eliminate the opportunity to observe immediate post-disaster outcomes, disruptions, and early risk or protective factors that shape later mental health trajectories.
The funding and timeline parameters are clearly bounded. Projects may last no more than two years in total. Direct costs are capped at $275,000 across the two-year period, with an additional constraint that no more than $200,000 in direct costs may be requested in any single year. The listing also indicates an award ceiling of $200,000, which aligns with the single-year limit and underscores that budgets should be tightly aligned to rapid, field-ready research needs rather than long, multi-phase programs. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which simplifies budgeting and can make it easier for institutions to mobilize quickly.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive to enable fast deployment of research capacity wherever it exists. Eligible applicant organizations include for-profit and nonprofit entities, public and private institutions (such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories), units of state and local government, certain federal agencies, tribal governments and tribal organizations, faith-based or community-based organizations, and both domestic and non-domestic (foreign) institutions. The FOA explicitly states that foreign institutions are eligible to apply and that eligible federal agencies may also apply, which can be important when disasters affect multiple countries or when federal partners have unique operational access. The eligible applicant types listed in the source data also include city or township governments, counties, special district governments, independent school districts, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (with some distinctions around institutions of higher education).
For project leadership, the announcement uses the standard NIH approach: any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed research may serve as the Project Director/Principal Investigator in coordination with their institution. The FOA reiterates NIH’s standing encouragement for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities to apply. It also allows an applicant to submit more than one application as long as the submissions are scientifically distinct, which can matter when different disasters, populations, or research questions require separate rapid-response studies.
Finally, awards under this FOA depend on both the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of strong applications. The NIH emphasizes that the number of awards and the total dollars distributed will vary based on application quality, project duration, proposed costs, and overall volume of submissions received. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary grant funding in the health area, associated with CFDA number 93.242 (Mental Health Research Grants). The original posting date is March 17, 2006, and the full announcement is available through the NIH Grants Guide page referenced in the additional information link. Receipt dates are listed as multiple, meaning applications are accepted on more than one due date rather than a single annual deadline, but applicants must consult the full announcement for the specific schedule and submission rules.
Rapid Assessment Post Impact of Disaster (R21) (PAR-06-253) - FAQs
What is the Rapid Assessment Post Impact of Disaster (R21) opportunity (PAR-06-253)?
PAR-06-253 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant announcement that supports rapid-response research that must begin immediately after a disaster occurs. It uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21) mechanism to enable investigators to quickly access disaster-affected areas and collect time-sensitive, perishable data.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central purpose is speed. This program is designed to fund research that cannot wait for typical grant timelines because delays would eliminate the chance to measure immediate post-disaster conditions, exposures, disruptions, and early psychological or behavioral responses when they can be assessed most accurately.
Why does the FOA emphasize starting research immediately after a disaster?
The announcement focuses on capturing perishable data in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Early measurements can be critical for understanding immediate outcomes and the early risk or protective factors that may shape later mental health trajectories.
What grant mechanism does this program use?
This opportunity uses the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21) mechanism, which is typically used for early-stage, high-impact, or time-sensitive projects where fast initiation is important.
Is there an alternative NIH funding mechanism with similar scientific scope?
Yes. The announcement notes a parallel funding opportunity with the same scientific scope under the NIH R03 small grant mechanism (PAR-06-252). This provides an alternate path depending on the size and maturity of the proposed work.
Is pre-submission contact with NIMH program staff required?
The FOA strongly encourages applicants to communicate with National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) program staff before submitting a Rapid Assessment (RAPID) application. This is an expectation built into the program to help confirm fit and timing.
Why is contacting NIMH program staff before applying so strongly encouraged?
Pre-submission communication helps investigators (1) confirm the project fits the program intent, (2) understand whether RAPID funding is likely to be available at that time, and (3) determine whether the idea should instead be developed into a more fully detailed, standard application.
How long can projects last under PAR-06-253?
Projects may last no more than two years in total.
What are the budget limits for this R21 RAPID program?
Direct costs are capped at $275,000 total across the two-year period, and no more than $200,000 in direct costs may be requested in any single year.
Is there an award ceiling mentioned in the opportunity description?
Yes. The listing indicates an award ceiling of $200,000, aligning with the single-year direct cost limit and reinforcing that budgets should support rapid, field-ready research rather than long, multi-phase programs.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes for-profit and nonprofit entities; public and private institutions (including universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories); units of state and local government; certain federal agencies; tribal governments and tribal organizations; and faith-based or community-based organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly states that foreign institutions are eligible to apply.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. The FOA states that eligible federal agencies may apply.
Which specific local or special-purpose government entities are listed as eligible in the source data?
The eligible applicant types listed include city or township governments, counties, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Do nonprofits need to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?
The source information indicates that nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are included among eligible applicant types, with some distinctions noted around institutions of higher education.
Who can serve as the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI)?
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed research may serve as the PD/PI, in coordination with their institution, consistent with the standard NIH approach.
Does NIH encourage applications from underrepresented groups?
Yes. The FOA reiterates NIH encouragement for individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and individuals with disabilities to apply.
Can an applicant submit more than one application under this opportunity?
Yes. An applicant may submit more than one application as long as the submissions are scientifically distinct.
What determines how many awards are made under PAR-06-253?
Awards depend on the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of strong applications. NIH notes that the number of awards and total dollars distributed will vary based on application quality, project duration, proposed costs, and the volume of submissions received.
What is the program area and CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.242, listed as Mental Health Research Grants, and is categorized as discretionary grant funding in the health area.
When was this funding opportunity originally posted?
The original posting date is March 17, 2006.
Are there multiple receipt (due) dates for applications?
Yes. Receipt dates are listed as multiple, meaning applications are accepted on more than one due date rather than a single annual deadline.
Where can applicants find the exact receipt dates and submission rules?
Applicants must consult the full announcement available through the NIH Grants Guide page referenced in the additional information link for the specific schedule and submission rules.
What kinds of studies is this RAPID R21 intended to support?
Based on the description provided, it is aimed at rapid, immediate post-disaster studies that need timely access to affected areas to measure early conditions, exposures, and initial psychological or behavioral responses that may influence later outcomes.
What is the key practical difference between a RAPID application and a standard application, according to the description?
The practical distinction described is timing: RAPID is meant for studies that cannot wait for usual grant timelines because the ability to observe immediate post-disaster outcomes would be lost with delay; in some cases, applicants may be advised to develop the idea into a more fully detailed, standard application instead.
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