Understanding Factors in Infancy and Early Childhood (Birth to 24 months) That Influence Obesity Development (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NIH PA-16-169 (R01): Early Roots of Childhood Obesity (Birth to 24 Months)

What is this funding opportunity (PA-16-169) focused on?

This NIH funding opportunity supports R01 research projects that study the very earliest roots of childhood obesity during infancy and early childhood, specifically from birth through 24 months. The aim is to improve understanding of what drives excessive weight gain and obesity risk in this critical developmental period.

What is the central goal of the program?

The central goal is to strengthen what the field can conclude about early obesity risk by (1) identifying factors that increase risk, (2) identifying factors that protect against risk, and (3) supporting research approaches that address key methodological gaps that currently limit interpretation and conclusions in this area.

What age range should the primary study period cover?

The primary study period should focus on children ages 0 to 24 months (birth through 24 months).

Are follow-up assessments beyond 24 months allowed?

Yes. Follow-up assessments beyond 24 months are allowed when they make scientific sense, such as examining how early-life exposures relate to later growth trajectories.

What types of influences or factors can projects examine?

The scope is intentionally broad. Projects may examine biological, behavioral, environmental, social, and caregiving-related influences that may shape early growth and later obesity vulnerability.

Can studies include caregiver or family factors?

Yes. Projects can include measurement of factors related to families and caregivers, including feeding practices, household routines, caregiving environments, or other caregiver characteristics that may influence a child's intake, sleep, activity patterns, stress responses, or overall growth.

Does the opportunity encourage methods and measurement development?

Yes. A specific emphasis is placed on strengthening the research toolkit for this age group. Proposals may be designed to fill methodological research gaps, such as improving measurement strategies, refining study designs for infants and toddlers, or addressing analytic challenges that affect how obesity risk is understood in very young children.

What kinds of research gaps is NIH trying to address through this announcement?

The announcement highlights important methodological gaps that limit what the field can conclude. This can include gaps related to measurement, study design suited to the 0-24 month period, and analytic approaches for interpreting early-life contributors to obesity risk.

Is the scope narrow (one topic) or broad (multiple possible topics)?

The scope is broad. Applicants are encouraged to study a wide range of early-life contributors to obesity risk, spanning biological through social and caregiving domains, as well as methods-focused work that improves how the science is done.

What type of grant mechanism is used?

The mechanism is an NIH grant under the R01 activity code, which generally supports discrete, investigator-initiated research projects of substantial scope.

Who is the sponsoring agency?

The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11).

What types of expertise are expected on the research team?

Applications are expected to address unique research needs and bring together an appropriate mix of expertise across disciplines. Depending on the aims, teams may include pediatrics, nutrition, developmental science, epidemiology, behavioral science, biostatistics, genetics, implementation science, and social or environmental health.

Is an interdisciplinary approach required or encouraged?

An interdisciplinary approach is a key expectation. The opportunity emphasizes assembling the right mix of disciplines to answer the proposed research questions.

What kinds of applicant organizations are eligible?

Eligibility is wide and includes many types of domestic organizations and governmental entities, including:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and state controlled colleges and universities
• Private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Public housing authorities or Indian housing authorities
• Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories)
• For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
• Small businesses
• Other entities as described in the opportunity's additional eligibility guidance

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligibility list.

Are universities eligible to apply?

Yes. Public and state controlled colleges and universities, as well as private institutions of higher education, are listed as eligible applicants.

Are nonprofits eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with a noted exception excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories.

Are for-profit organizations and small businesses eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are both listed as eligible.

What are the CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?

The announcement is associated with CFDA numbers 93.307, 93.847, and 93.865.

When was this opportunity posted, and what is the closing date?

The opportunity was posted and created on April 6, 2016. The original and current closing date is May 7, 2019.

Has the application deadline already passed for this posting?

Yes. Based on the provided dates, the listed closing date (May 7, 2019) has passed for this posting.

Is the award ceiling (maximum award amount) provided?

No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided information.

Is the expected number of awards provided?

No. The expected award count is not specified in the provided information.

Where would applicants typically look for budget expectations or project period norms?

Based on the provided information, applicants would typically consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for R01s to understand budget expectations, project period norms, and any institute-specific considerations.

How does this opportunity connect to NIH priorities?

The announcement is positioned within NIH's broader interests in food and nutrition, health, and the social determinants that influence health outcomes.

What is the overall purpose or expected impact of funded projects?

Overall, the opportunity targets rigorous studies that can clarify early-life contributors to obesity risk, improve how researchers measure and model those contributors during the first two years of life, and strengthen the evidence base needed to guide prevention strategies starting as early as infancy.