Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 10 159
Apply for PA 10 159
- The National Institutes of Health in the education environment health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research On Autism And Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113 Environmental Health 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders 93.242 Mental Health Research Grants 93.361 Nursing Research 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 1, 2013 and posted on Mar 30, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 1, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) County governments Small businesses Independent school districts Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education State governments City or township governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 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) Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement PA-10-159, titled "Research on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03)," supports small, focused research projects that aim to improve understanding and outcomes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The core goal is to encourage basic, clinical, and applied research that clarifies ASD causes and development (etiology), patterns and risk across populations (epidemiology), better ways to identify ASD (diagnosis), strategies to improve symptoms and functioning (treatment), and evidence-based approaches to delivering services effectively (service delivery). The announcement is explicitly aligned with the broader federal priorities laid out in the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Strategic Plan for ASD Research, meaning proposed projects are expected to connect to national research needs and gaps identified in that plan.
This opportunity uses the NIH Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism, which is designed for projects that are limited in scope, can be completed in a relatively short time, and do not require extensive resources. The FOA highlights several types of work that fit well under an R03, including pilot and feasibility studies that generate preliminary data for larger future projects; secondary analyses of existing datasets (for example, reanalyzing clinical, educational, public health, or longitudinal data to answer new ASD-related questions); small, self-contained studies that test a focused hypothesis; and projects centered on developing or refining research methods or new research technologies relevant to ASD research. In practical terms, the R03 mechanism is often used to explore a promising idea, test recruitment or assessment approaches, validate a measure, or evaluate an early-stage intervention concept before pursuing larger awards.
Scientifically, the announcement is broad and encourages a wide range of ASD research approaches. Basic research can include work that probes biological and developmental mechanisms underlying ASD traits, including genetic, neurological, immunological, or other physiological pathways, as long as the project fits the small-project scope. Clinical research can involve improving diagnostic tools, identifying subtypes, studying co-occurring conditions, or evaluating treatment approaches. Applied research can focus on real-world service delivery, such as improving access to evidence-based care, testing models of coordinated services across healthcare and education settings, or identifying barriers that prevent families from receiving timely and appropriate support. Because the FOA emphasizes "optimal means of service delivery," it invites proposals that look beyond efficacy in controlled settings and toward how interventions and supports are implemented, sustained, and tailored in communities.
PA-10-159 runs in parallel with two companion opportunities that share the same scientific scope but use different NIH mechanisms: PA-10-158 for the R01 mechanism (typically larger, longer-term research projects) and PA-10-160 for the R21 mechanism (often exploratory or developmental projects that may be higher risk). This parallel structure helps applicants choose a mechanism that matches the size and maturity of their research plan, with R03 specifically reserved for smaller, tightly scoped efforts.
Funding decisions under this FOA depend on congressional appropriations and NIH institute/center budgets, and awards are also contingent on the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically strong applications. In other words, there is no guaranteed number of awards; NIH will fund projects that score well in peer review and fit program priorities, provided funds are available.
The opportunity is a discretionary grant program (not a formula program) and falls under multiple CFDA listings connected to health and behavioral research, including environmental health, communication disorders, mental health, nursing research, and child health and human development. This reflects how ASD research spans multiple disciplines and NIH components.
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types across public, private, nonprofit, and governmental sectors. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and various levels of government such as state, county, and city or township governments. The FOA also lists eligibility for Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), tribal organizations, and tribally controlled colleges and universities, along with public housing authorities and special district governments. Additional eligible entities include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), faith-based and community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations, which signals that NIH is open to strong ASD research proposals regardless of geography, as long as the project meets NIH requirements. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to provide non-federal funds to receive an award.
Key administrative details from the listing include that the agency is the NIH, the FOA was originally posted March 30, 2010, and later archived in 2013, with listed closing and archive dates indicating the specific cycle captured in the source data (original closing date May 7, 2013; archive date June 1, 2013). For applicants or readers needing the full text, NIH provided an official link to the FOA on the NIH grants website and contact points through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) for technical access issues.
Overall, PA-10-159 is best understood as a targeted NIH pathway for compact ASD studies that can produce useful, actionable findings quickly, either by generating early evidence for larger future grants, extracting new insights from existing data, or building better tools and methods that improve the quality and reach of autism research and services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is PA-10-159?
PA-10-159 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Research on Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (R03)." It supports small, focused research projects aimed at improving understanding and outcomes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using the NIH Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to encourage basic, clinical, and applied research that advances knowledge and outcomes related to ASD. The FOA emphasizes research that clarifies causes and development (etiology), population patterns and risk (epidemiology), improved identification (diagnosis), strategies to improve symptoms and functioning (treatment), and evidence-based approaches to delivering services effectively (service delivery).
How does this FOA relate to national autism research priorities?
The announcement is explicitly aligned with the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Strategic Plan for ASD Research. Proposed projects are expected to connect to national research needs and gaps identified in that plan.
What NIH grant mechanism is used, and what does it mean?
This opportunity uses the NIH Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism. R03 projects are designed to be limited in scope, completed in a relatively short time, and not require extensive resources.
What types of projects are a good fit for an R03 under PA-10-159?
The FOA highlights several project types that fit the R03 scope, including pilot and feasibility studies that generate preliminary data for larger future projects, secondary analyses of existing datasets, small self-contained studies testing a focused hypothesis, and projects that develop or refine research methods or new research technologies relevant to ASD.
Can applicants use existing data rather than collecting new data?
Yes. The FOA explicitly notes secondary analyses of existing datasets as an example of work that fits well under the R03 mechanism, including reanalyzing clinical, educational, public health, or longitudinal data to answer new ASD-related questions.
What research areas does the FOA support?
The scientific scope is broad and includes basic research (for example, biological and developmental mechanisms underlying ASD traits, including genetic, neurological, immunological, or other physiological pathways), clinical research (such as improving diagnostic tools, identifying subtypes, studying co-occurring conditions, or evaluating treatment approaches), and applied research (including real-world service delivery models, access to evidence-based care, and barriers to timely and appropriate support).
Does the FOA emphasize real-world implementation and service delivery?
Yes. The FOA emphasizes "optimal means of service delivery," inviting proposals that examine how interventions and supports are implemented, sustained, and tailored in communities, not only whether they work under controlled conditions.
Are there related or companion NIH funding opportunities with the same scientific scope?
Yes. PA-10-159 runs in parallel with companion opportunities that share the same scientific scope but use different mechanisms: PA-10-158 (R01) for larger, longer-term projects and PA-10-160 (R21) for exploratory or developmental projects that may be higher risk.
How is PA-10-159 different from the R01 and R21 companion announcements?
The difference is the grant mechanism and typical project size and maturity. The R03 mechanism in PA-10-159 is reserved for smaller, tightly scoped efforts. The R01 (PA-10-158) is typically larger and longer-term, while the R21 (PA-10-160) is often exploratory or developmental and may be higher risk.
Is NIH guaranteed to make awards under this FOA?
No. Funding decisions depend on congressional appropriations, NIH institute/center budgets, and the submission of a sufficient number of scientifically strong applications. NIH funds projects that score well in peer review and fit program priorities, provided funds are available.
What factors influence whether an application is funded?
Based on the listing, awards are contingent on available funds, strong peer review outcomes, program priorities, and having a sufficient number of scientifically strong applications in the competition.
Is this a discretionary grant or a formula grant program?
This is a discretionary grant program, not a formula program.
Which agency administers this opportunity?
The agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What CFDA areas are associated with this FOA?
The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA listings connected to health and behavioral research, including areas such as environmental health, communication disorders, mental health, nursing research, and child health and human development. This reflects the cross-disciplinary nature of ASD research and NIH involvement across components.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private colleges and universities; nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); small businesses; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and multiple levels of government (state, county, and city or township governments).
Are tribal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA lists eligibility for Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), tribal organizations, and tribally controlled colleges and universities.
Are U.S. territories and non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The listing includes eligibility for U.S. territories or possessions and also includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations, indicating openness to strong proposals regardless of geography as long as NIH requirements are met.
Are faith-based and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes faith-based and community-based organizations among eligible entities.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The listing explicitly includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), among other eligible entities.
Are public housing authorities or special district governments eligible?
Yes. The FOA lists public housing authorities and special district governments as eligible applicants.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to provide non-federal funds to receive an award.
When was PA-10-159 originally posted, and what is its current status?
The FOA was originally posted on March 30, 2010. It was later archived in 2013, with the source listing showing an original closing date of May 7, 2013 and an archive date of June 1, 2013.
Where can applicants find the official FOA text and help with technical access issues?
NIH provided an official link to the FOA on the NIH grants website. The listing also points to contact points through the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) for technical access issues.
What is the overall "best use" of this FOA based on the description?
PA-10-159 is positioned as a targeted NIH pathway for compact ASD studies that can produce useful findings quickly, including early evidence for larger future grants, new insights from existing data, and improved tools and methods that strengthen autism research and services.
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