Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the NIH grant opportunity PA-14-034?

PA-14-034 is an NIH funding opportunity titled "Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R21)." It was a discretionary grant program that supported exploratory and developmental research aimed at reducing health disparities affecting children, especially children from minority and underserved populations, using the NIH R21 mechanism.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose was to encourage early-stage, innovative projects that could generate new insights, pilot data, or proof-of-concept evidence to guide larger future studies. A key goal was to support research that examines the layered and interacting causes of unequal child health outcomes and tests practical strategies to improve health in real-world contexts where children live, learn, and receive care.

3) What type of research design or stage was NIH emphasizing under this R21?

The program emphasized exploratory and developmental research, including projects designed to produce pilot data, explore new approaches, or demonstrate early proof-of-concept. The intent was to help investigators develop promising ideas that could later be expanded into larger studies.

4) What does the R21 mechanism imply for the kinds of projects supported?

Based on the announcement description, the R21 mechanism was used to support early-stage and innovative work, particularly projects that are not yet ready for large-scale funding but are positioned to generate foundational evidence (such as new insights, preliminary findings, or feasibility information) for subsequent research.

5) What populations were the focus of this opportunity?

The focus was on children experiencing health disparities, with particular emphasis on minority and underserved children. The program also highlighted children who have a known health condition and/or a disability as an important population for health promotion research.

6) Did the opportunity focus on child health disparities in isolation?

No. A central theme was that research should not treat child health disparities in isolation. The opportunity encouraged multi-level approaches that examine layered, interacting determinants of unequal health outcomes across childhood.

7) What is meant by "biobehavioral" research in this announcement?

In this funding opportunity, biobehavioral research refers to studies that integrate multiple influences on child health disparities. It specifically encouraged consideration of biological factors (for example genetics, cellular processes, and organ system functioning) alongside lifestyle factors, environmental conditions (physical and family environments), social influences (such as peer relationships), and broader economic, institutional, cultural, and family-level drivers.

8) What kinds of determinants of health disparities were applicants encouraged to examine?

The announcement encouraged a multi-level view, including biological influences, lifestyle factors, physical and family environments, social factors like peer relationships, and broader economic, institutional, cultural, and family-level conditions that shape access to resources, exposure to risk, and health behaviors.

9) Was research on children with existing health conditions or disabilities encouraged?

Yes. The opportunity specifically called for research tailored to the health promotion needs of children who already have a known health condition and/or a disability, recognizing that disparities can be intensified when children face additional clinical or functional challenges.

10) What kinds of health promotion approaches were within scope for children with conditions or disabilities?

Projects could address the design, adaptation, or testing of strategies intended to improve outcomes, including preventive care, disease self-management supports (as age-appropriate), family-based supports, and other health-promoting behaviors and services relevant to children with conditions or disabilities.

11) Did the announcement prioritize intervention research?

Yes. A major priority area involved studies that test and evaluate the comparative effectiveness of health promotion interventions, including interventions delivered in traditional and nontraditional settings.

12) What does "comparative effectiveness" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Within this announcement, comparative effectiveness emphasized generating evidence about what works best, for whom, and under what real-world conditions, rather than only testing whether a single intervention works in tightly controlled circumstances. This approach was described as valuable for decision-makers choosing among multiple feasible options.

13) What are examples of traditional settings for interventions mentioned in the announcement?

Traditional settings could include clinical environments, schools, or established public health programs.

14) What are examples of nontraditional settings for interventions mentioned in the announcement?

Nontraditional settings could include community-based organizations, faith-based settings, homes, or other venues where children and families routinely spend time.

15) What government agency issued this funding opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

16) What broad activity areas did the opportunity support?

The announcement described supported activities within the broader areas of education and health.

17) What CFDA numbers were associated with PA-14-034?

The CFDA numbers listed were 93.173 (Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders), 93.273 (Alcohol Research Programs), and 93.361 (Nursing Research), reflecting the cross-cutting nature of the child health disparities research encouraged under this initiative.

18) What was the listed award ceiling for this opportunity?

The award ceiling listed in the source data was $200,000.

19) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

20) Which types of organizations were eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; state and local governments (including county, city/township, and special district governments); independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; tribal governments and tribal organizations; small businesses; and certain for-profit organizations (with small businesses explicitly included and other for-profits eligible as specified in the announcement).

21) Were specific institution types (like HBCUs and HSIs) explicitly identified as eligible?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly identified eligibility categories that included Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).

22) Were faith-based and community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The announcement identified faith-based and community-based organizations among eligible applicants.

23) Were U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. The announcement included U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicants.

24) Were foreign institutions eligible to apply?

No. Foreign institutions were not eligible to apply.

25) Were non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?

No. The announcement stated that non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations were not eligible.

26) Were foreign components allowed under this opportunity?

No. The announcement stated that foreign components were not permitted under NIH policy definitions referenced in the opportunity.

27) When was this funding opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted (and created) on December 12, 2013.

28) What was the closing date for applications?

The original and current closing date listed in the source data was January 7, 2017.

29) Is PA-14-034 still an active funding opportunity?

No. The archive date was February 7, 2017, and the information provided indicates the opportunity is no longer active.

30) Where was the full announcement hosted?

The full announcement was hosted on the NIH grants website.

31) Who was listed as the contact for technical access or linking issues?

The contact information directed technical access or linking issues to the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster.

32) What overall research direction did PA-14-034 aim to push the field toward?

The opportunity was structured to encourage more integrated, real-world, and equity-focused research on children's health. It sought studies that map complex pathways producing disparities, tailor health promotion strategies for children with medical conditions or disabilities, and generate comparative evidence about interventions delivered in settings that matter for everyday life, including community contexts where underserved families often seek support.