Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 09 173
Apply for RFA MH 09 173
- The National Institutes of Health in the health recovery act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Limited Competition Research to Address the Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorders (R34 and Collaborative R34)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.701 Trans NIH Recovery Act Research Support.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 24, 2009 and posted on Mar 23, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 12, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $57,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments County governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Independent school districts Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities City or township governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses State governments Private institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions 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) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
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Opportunity Summary:
The NIH funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Limited Competition Research to Address the Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorders (R34 and Collaborative R34)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-09-173) was a one-time Recovery Act (ARRA) initiative aimed at advancing research that explains and responds to the wide variation seen across people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The central idea behind the announcement is that ASD is not a single, uniform condition; instead, individuals differ substantially in symptoms, developmental pathways, co-occurring conditions, functional abilities, and response to supports. This FOA was designed to push forward practical, clinically relevant research that can account for that heterogeneity, particularly in real-world treatment, intervention, and service settings.
The scope of the announcement focused on two main scientific areas tied directly to ASD heterogeneity: (1) treatment and intervention research, and (2) services research. In practice, that means projects could look at why certain interventions work well for some subgroups but not others, how to tailor interventions to individual profiles, or how different service models perform across diverse communities, age groups, severity levels, and co-occurring challenges. Because it sits at the intersection of clinical research and service delivery, the emphasis is not just on describing differences among people with ASD, but on generating evidence that can improve decision-making about what to provide, for whom, under what conditions, and with what expected outcomes.
NIH offered support through the R34 mechanism, formally called the NIH Clinical Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant, including a Collaborative R34 option for multi-site or multi-team efforts. The R34 is generally used to develop, refine, and pilot clinical studies, especially when investigators need to build key study components before launching a full-scale trial or definitive services research study. Typical R34-type activities include finalizing protocols, testing feasibility and recruitment strategies, building collaborations across clinics or service systems, refining intervention manuals and fidelity measures, establishing data collection procedures, and gathering early outcome signals that justify a larger investment later. The Collaborative R34 format signals that NIH expected some projects to require coordination across multiple investigators or sites in order to capture meaningful heterogeneity in ASD populations and settings.
This FOA was issued in parallel with closely related companion announcements that shared essentially the same scientific theme but used different grant mechanisms depending on the maturity and scale of the proposed research. Specifically, it aligned with RFA-MH-09-170 and RFA-MH-09-171 (R01 and Collaborative R01), which were intended for larger, more definitive studies where preliminary data already existed, and with RFA-MH-09-172 (R21), which supported earlier-stage, more exploratory work. In that structure, R34 sat in the middle: more clinically grounded and development-focused than an R21, but not as large or as confirmatory as an R01. The overall design reflects a pipeline approach, allowing investigators to enter at the stage that best fits the readiness of their project while keeping the broader goal consistent: clarifying and addressing ASD heterogeneity in ways that improve outcomes.
Funding for this program came from ARRA, meaning it was tied to the Recovery Act's time-limited stimulus funding. NIH planned to commit about $57,000,000 in total across this FOA and its companion announcements, with an anticipated combined total of roughly 40 to 50 awards. The exact number of grants was contingent on the outcomes of scientific peer review, which is standard for NIH competitions. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, reducing barriers for institutions and organizations that might not have had resources to contribute funds.
Eligibility was broad and included many types of applicants across the public, private, academic, nonprofit, and governmental landscape. Eligible entities included state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, special districts, and certain public housing authorities), federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, small businesses, other for-profit organizations (beyond small businesses), and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status. The announcement also explicitly included a range of mission-specific and community-based institutions and organizations, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. This wide eligibility aligns with the real-world nature of treatment and services research, where important work often happens in schools, community clinics, public systems, and cross-sector partnerships, not only in traditional academic medical centers.
Key administrative details reflect its Recovery Act timing. The opportunity was posted on March 23, 2009, created March 24, 2009, and had an original and final closing date of May 12, 2009, after which it was archived on June 12, 2009. It was categorized under health-related Recovery Act funding and carried CFDA number 93.701 (Trans-NIH Recovery Act Research Support). The sponsoring agency was the National Institutes of Health, and the full announcement was made available through the NIH grants guide. For technical access issues, applicants were directed to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact listed in the notice.
In plain terms, this FOA was meant to accelerate clinically useful ASD research during the ARRA funding window by supporting planning and early-phase clinical and services studies that directly grapple with the fact that ASD is highly variable. Rather than assuming one-size-fits-all approaches, the program pushed investigators to design studies that can detect subgroup differences, identify moderators of response, and inform more personalized, equitable, and effective interventions and service systems.
FAQs: NIH Recovery Act Limited Competition Research to Address the Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorders (R34 and Collaborative R34) - RFA-MH-09-173
What is the funding opportunity described here?
It is an NIH funding opportunity titled "Recovery Act Limited Competition Research to Address the Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorders (R34 and Collaborative R34)" with Funding Opportunity Number (FON) RFA-MH-09-173. It was a one-time initiative funded through the Recovery Act (ARRA).
What was the main purpose of RFA-MH-09-173?
The purpose was to advance research that explains and responds to the wide variation (heterogeneity) seen across people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), with an emphasis on clinically relevant, real-world treatment, intervention, and services settings.
What does "heterogeneity in ASD" mean in this announcement?
In this FOA, heterogeneity refers to substantial differences among individuals with ASD, including differences in symptoms, developmental pathways, co-occurring conditions, functional abilities, and responses to supports and services.
What scientific areas did this FOA focus on?
The scope centered on two main areas directly tied to ASD heterogeneity: (1) treatment and intervention research, and (2) services research.
What kinds of treatment and intervention questions fit this FOA?
Projects could examine why certain interventions work well for some subgroups but not others, how to tailor interventions to different individual profiles, and how to identify moderators of treatment response in real-world contexts.
What kinds of services research questions fit this FOA?
Projects could compare how different service models perform across diverse communities and contexts, including differences by age groups, severity levels, co-occurring challenges, and settings where services are delivered.
Was the goal simply to describe differences among people with ASD?
No. The FOA emphasized generating evidence that can improve decision-making about what to provide, for whom, under what conditions, and with what expected outcomes, especially in clinically relevant and service delivery environments.
What grant mechanism did NIH use for this FOA?
NIH offered support through the R34 mechanism (the NIH Clinical Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant), including a Collaborative R34 option intended for multi-site or multi-team efforts.
What is an R34 typically used for?
The R34 is generally used to develop, refine, and pilot clinical studies or services studies when investigators need to build key study components before launching a full-scale trial or definitive services research study.
What are examples of activities that fit an R34 under this FOA?
Typical R34 activities mentioned include finalizing protocols, testing feasibility and recruitment strategies, building collaborations across clinics or service systems, refining intervention manuals and fidelity measures, establishing data collection procedures, and gathering early outcome signals to justify a larger future study.
What is the "Collaborative R34" option?
The Collaborative R34 option indicates that NIH expected some projects would require coordination across multiple investigators or sites, particularly to capture meaningful heterogeneity across ASD populations and real-world settings.
How did this FOA relate to other companion announcements?
This FOA was issued in parallel with companion announcements sharing the same overall scientific theme but using different grant mechanisms depending on the maturity and scale of the proposed research.
Which companion FOAs were mentioned, and what mechanisms did they use?
The related companion announcements included RFA-MH-09-170 and RFA-MH-09-171 (R01 and Collaborative R01) for larger, more definitive studies with preliminary data, and RFA-MH-09-172 (R21) for earlier-stage, more exploratory work.
Where does the R34 fit compared with the R21 and R01 in this "pipeline" approach?
In the structure described, the R34 sits in the middle: more clinically grounded and development-focused than an R21, but not as large or confirmatory as an R01.
What was the source of funding for this opportunity?
Funding came from ARRA (the Recovery Act), meaning it was tied to time-limited stimulus funding.
How much total funding did NIH plan to commit across this FOA and its companion announcements?
NIH planned to commit about $57,000,000 in total across this FOA and the companion announcements.
How many awards were anticipated across the FOA and companions?
The anticipated combined total was roughly 40 to 50 awards, with the exact number contingent on scientific peer review outcomes.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The FOA stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included many applicant types across public, private, academic, nonprofit, and governmental sectors.
What government entities were eligible?
Eligible entities included state and local governments (including counties, cities/townships, special districts, and certain public housing authorities), federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.
What education-related institutions were eligible?
Public and private institutions of higher education were eligible, along with independent school districts.
Were businesses eligible to apply?
Yes. Small businesses and other for-profit organizations (beyond small businesses) were listed as eligible applicants.
Were nonprofit organizations eligible even if they did not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The FOA included nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status.
Did the FOA explicitly encourage or include mission-specific and community-based institutions?
Yes. It explicitly included organizations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, and regional organizations.
Why did the FOA include such broad eligibility?
Because the FOA emphasized real-world treatment and services research, it aligned with the idea that important clinical and service delivery research can occur in schools, community clinics, public systems, and cross-sector partnerships, not only in traditional academic medical centers.
When was this opportunity posted and created?
The opportunity was posted on March 23, 2009, and created on March 24, 2009.
What were the application closing dates?
The original closing date and the final closing date were both May 12, 2009.
When was the FOA archived?
It was archived on June 12, 2009.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity carried CFDA number 93.701, labeled "Trans-NIH Recovery Act Research Support."
Which agency sponsored the announcement?
The sponsoring agency was the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Where was the full announcement made available?
The full announcement was made available through the NIH grants guide.
Who was listed for technical access issues?
For technical access issues, applicants were directed to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster contact listed in the notice.
What does "limited competition" imply in the title?
Based on the provided information, the FOA is labeled "limited competition," but no additional limits or special eligibility restrictions beyond the broad applicant categories listed are described in the text provided.
What is the plain-language takeaway of this FOA?
The FOA was meant to accelerate clinically useful ASD research during the Recovery Act window by supporting planning and early-phase clinical and services studies that directly address the fact that ASD is highly variable, with the goal of informing more personalized, equitable, and effective interventions and service systems.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Recovery Act Limited Competition Research to Address the Heterogeneity in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Collaborative R01) Apply for RFA MH 09 171 Funding Number: RFA MH 09 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act Limited Competition for NIH Grants Research and Research Infrastructure Grand Opportunities (RC2) Apply for RFA OD 09 004 Funding Number: RFA OD 09 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act Limited Competition Supporting New Faculty Recruitment to Enhance Research Resources through Biomedical Research Core Centers (P30) Apply for RFA OD 09 005 Funding Number: RFA OD 09 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act Limited Competition Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15) Apply for RFA OD 09 007 Funding Number: RFA OD 09 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act Limited Competition NCMHD Community Participation in Health Disparities Intervention Research Planning Phase (R24) Apply for RFA MD 09 006 Funding Number: RFA MD 09 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| Recovery Act Limited Competition NCMHD Dissertation Research Award to Increase Diversity (R36) Apply for RFA MD 09 008 Funding Number: RFA MD 09 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act Limited Competition NCMHD Exploratory Centers of Excellence (P20) Apply for RFA MD 09 007 Funding Number: RFA MD 09 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $450,000 |
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| Recovery Act Limited Competition Small Business Catalyst Awards for Accelerating Innovative Research (R43) Apply for RFA OD 09 009 Funding Number: RFA OD 09 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act Limited Competition Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG SPAN) Pilot Program (RC3) Apply for RFA OD 09 008 Funding Number: RFA OD 09 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition AHRQ Clinical and Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness (CHOICE) Grants (R01) Apply for RFA HS 10 003 Funding Number: RFA HS 10 003 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition Innovative Adaptation and Dissemination of AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Products (iADAPT) (R18) Apply for RFA HS 10 004 Funding Number: RFA HS 10 004 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Recovery Act Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program Apply for HHS 2010 ONC BC 004 Funding Number: HHS 2010 ONC BC 004 Agency: Office of the National Coordinator Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Information Technology Professionals in Health Care Curriculum Development Centers Apply for FOA OC HIT 10 001 Funding Number: FOA OC HIT 10 001 Agency: Office of the National Coordinator Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| ARRA AHRQ Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition PROSPECT Studies Building New Clinical Infrastructure for Comparative Effectiveness Research (R01) Apply for RFA HS 10 005 Funding Number: RFA HS 10 005 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| ARRA AHRQ Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum for Comparative Effectiveness Research (U13) Apply for RFA HS 10 006 Funding Number: RFA HS 10 006 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| AHRQ ARRA Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition AHRQ Mentored Clinical Scientists Comparative Effectiveness Development Award (K12) Apply for RFA HS 10 007 Funding Number: RFA HS 10 007 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| AHRQ ARRA Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition AHRQ Institutional National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Comparative Effectiveness Development Training Award (T32) Apply for RFA HS 10 011 Funding Number: RFA HS 10 011 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition OS ARRA Comparative Effectiveness Research to Optimize Prevention and Healthcare Management for the Complex Patient (R21) Apply for RFA HS 10 009 Funding Number: RFA HS 10 009 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Information Technology Professionals in Health Care Competency Examination for Individuals Apply for FOA OC HIT 10 002 Funding Number: FOA OC HIT 10 002 Agency: Office of the National Coordinator Category: Health Recovery Act Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
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