Translational Research for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes and Obesity (R18) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is PAR-09-176?

PAR-09-176 is an NIH funding opportunity focused on Translational Research for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes and Obesity. It uses the Research Demonstration and Dissemination Project grant mechanism (R18) to support studies that move proven interventions from controlled clinical trials into real-world care and community settings.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is to test whether interventions that have already been shown to work in tightly controlled clinical trials are still effective when delivered under routine, real-world conditions, and whether they can realistically be adopted, maintained, and disseminated at scale.

What does "translational research" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this context, translational research means taking interventions with strong evidence of efficacy and evaluating how they perform in applied settings where people actually receive care. The emphasis is on implementation and dissemination: practical delivery, routine workflows, and long-term sustainability rather than new experimental invention.

Is this opportunity for developing brand-new interventions?

No. This program is specifically aimed at interventions that already have solid evidence behind them. Applicants are expected to use widely accepted interventions that have previously demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials and then evaluate their effectiveness in real-world environments.

What kinds of outcomes or questions does NIH want projects to address?

The FOA emphasizes real implementation questions, such as whether a proven intervention can be delivered effectively in typical health care settings, whether it can be adopted broadly, whether it can be sustained over time, and how it can be disseminated to benefit people at risk and the systems that serve them.

What public health targets must a proposed project align with?

Projects must clearly align with one or more of these targets: prevention or reversal of obesity; prevention of type 2 diabetes; improved care for people living with type 1 diabetes and/or type 2 diabetes; and prevention or delay of complications related to diabetes and obesity.

What setting is NIH interested in for these studies?

The announcement emphasizes applied health care environments and other real-world settings, rather than tightly controlled clinical trial conditions. The intent is to evaluate performance under routine conditions where constraints and barriers are typical.

What practical implementation barriers are explicitly highlighted?

The FOA signals interest in projects that confront practical issues such as staffing, workflow, reimbursement constraints, patient engagement, adherence, and other real-world barriers that arise when implementing programs at scale.

What does "demonstration and dissemination" mean here?

It refers to implementing a proven intervention in real-world settings (demonstration) and generating evidence and approaches that support broader uptake in practice and communities (dissemination), with attention to feasibility, scalability, and sustainability.

What grant mechanism is used for PAR-09-176?

PAR-09-176 uses the NIH R18 mechanism, described as a Research Demonstration and Dissemination Project grant mechanism.

Is there a companion funding opportunity for planning?

Yes. A companion planning grant announcement with the same scientific scope is noted: PAR-09-177, which uses the R34 mechanism. It is intended for groups that need a structured planning phase before launching a full-scale demonstration and dissemination study.

How is the R34 companion (PAR-09-177) different from the R18 in PAR-09-176?

Based on the description provided, the R34 companion is meant for an earlier planning stage, while the R18 is geared toward implementing and evaluating an intervention at a more advanced stage of readiness.

Which NIH organizations sponsor or participate in this opportunity?

The opportunity is sponsored primarily by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), with participation from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR).

What are the activity categories associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as falling within broad activity categories including food and nutrition, health, income security, and social services, reflecting the behavioral, clinical, and community dimensions of diabetes and obesity prevention and care.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $500,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity explicitly states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

A wide range of applicants are eligible, including public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (including small businesses, though not limited to them); and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district, and independent school districts).

Are tribal entities eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes federally recognized tribal governments as well as other tribal organizations, and it also includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.

Are community-based, faith-based, or minority-serving organizations eligible?

Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible applicants such as faith-based and community-based organizations, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Does this opportunity favor certain types of interventions for dissemination?

It emphasizes interventions with high potential for wide dissemination to clinical practice and to individuals and communities at risk. Reviewers are likely to look for feasibility, scalability, and sustainability rather than highly specialized programs requiring unusual resources.

When was PAR-09-176 posted, and what were the closing and archive dates?

The opportunity was posted on April 28, 2009. The original and current closing date listed is March 1, 2012, and the archive date is April 1, 2012.

Is PAR-09-176 still open for submission?

No. Based on the listed closing and archive dates, it is no longer open for submission today.

Where were the full announcement details provided?

The full announcement and technical details were provided through the NIH Grants Guide, with NIH Office of Extramural Research contact points listed for access or linking issues.

What is the key practical takeaway for applicants and stakeholders?

The FOA prioritized implementation-focused studies that test whether proven diabetes or obesity interventions can be delivered effectively in typical settings, adopted broadly, sustained over time, and disseminated to benefit at-risk populations and the systems that serve them.