Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 16 008
Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R21) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA 16 008; CFDA 93.361) focused on supporting early-stage, innovative research aimed at reducing symptom burden and improving health-related quality of life (HRQL) for people living with chronic illness. The initiative emphasizes interdisciplinary projects that can move the science forward in two connected ways: first, by building stronger knowledge about the biological mechanisms that drive symptoms in chronic disease, and second, by developing and testing new, targeted approaches that can prevent symptoms, improve symptom management, or lessen symptom severity. The overall intent is to promote strategies that are not only effective but also practical and cost-conscious, increasing the chances that successful interventions could eventually be adopted in real-world settings.
Because this is an R21 mechanism, the program is oriented toward exploratory or developmental work that can generate proof-of-concept data, clarify feasibility, or open up promising new lines of investigation. Projects under this announcement would typically align with questions such as why certain symptoms cluster together across chronic conditions, what biological pathways or markers are associated with symptom onset and persistence, and how a person-specific understanding of symptom biology could inform more precise interventions. On the intervention side, the opportunity is interested in novel and targeted symptom approaches, which may include personalized management strategies that are tailored to individual risk profiles, biology, or contextual factors, with an eye toward improving day-to-day functioning and overall quality of life.
The funding instrument is a grant, with an award ceiling listed as $200,000. The opportunity’s original closing date was 2018-01-24, and the opportunity was created on 2015-10-16. While the listing does not specify an expected number of awards, the core program purpose is clear: support innovative research that bridges mechanistic understanding of symptoms with the development of practical interventions that can make a meaningful difference for people managing chronic illness.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. applicant organizations and additional categories specifically called out as eligible. Standard eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The announcement also explicitly includes a wide range of additional eligible applicants, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized; faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; non-U.S. (foreign) entities; and U.S. territories or possessions. This broad eligibility underscores NIH’s interest in drawing on diverse institutional strengths and community contexts to address symptom science and symptom management in chronic illness.Apply for PA 16 008
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.361.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2015-10-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R21)" opportunity?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity that supports early-stage, innovative research aimed at reducing symptom burden and improving health-related quality of life (HRQL) for people living with chronic illness. The program encourages interdisciplinary projects that connect symptom biology with practical approaches to prevent, reduce, or better manage symptoms.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA 16 008, and the CFDA number is 93.361.
What is the primary goal of the program?
The primary goal is to move symptom science forward in two connected ways: (1) strengthen knowledge of the biological mechanisms that drive symptoms in chronic disease, and (2) develop and test new, targeted strategies to prevent symptoms, improve symptom management, or lessen symptom severity, with the broader aim of improving HRQL.
What types of research projects are a good fit for this R21?
This opportunity is oriented toward exploratory or developmental work that can generate proof-of-concept data, clarify feasibility, or open new lines of investigation. Projects typically align with questions about symptom clustering across chronic conditions, biological pathways or markers associated with symptom onset and persistence, and how person-specific symptom biology can inform more precise interventions.
What does it mean that this is an R21 mechanism?
R21 indicates an exploratory/developmental research grant mechanism. In the context of this opportunity, it means the program is focused on early-stage, innovative work such as feasibility testing and proof-of-concept studies, rather than large, late-stage trials.
What are examples of the scientific questions the program is interested in?
Examples include: why certain symptoms cluster together across different chronic illnesses; what biological pathways or biomarkers are linked to symptom development and persistence; and how understanding an individual’s symptom biology could guide more precise, targeted symptom interventions.
Is the program focused only on biological mechanisms, or also on interventions?
It includes both. The initiative emphasizes building stronger mechanistic understanding of symptoms and also developing and testing targeted approaches to prevent or reduce symptoms and improve symptom management and day-to-day functioning.
What kinds of symptom management strategies does the opportunity emphasize?
The opportunity is interested in novel, targeted symptom approaches, including personalized management strategies tailored to individual risk profiles, biology, or contextual factors, with a focus on reducing symptom severity and improving HRQL.
Does the opportunity say anything about real-world practicality and cost?
Yes. A stated intent is to promote strategies that are effective, practical, and cost-conscious, increasing the likelihood that successful interventions could be adopted in real-world settings.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $200,000.
How many awards does NIH expect to make under this announcement?
The listing does not specify an expected number of awards.
When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2015-10-16, and the original closing date was 2018-01-24.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicant organizations. Standard eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities.
Are there additional categories of applicants explicitly called out as eligible?
Yes. The announcement explicitly includes Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized; faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; non-U.S. (foreign) entities; and U.S. territories or possessions.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) entities are explicitly listed as eligible in the announcement.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Does the opportunity encourage interdisciplinary research?
Yes. The initiative emphasizes interdisciplinary projects that bridge mechanistic symptom understanding with the development and testing of targeted symptom interventions.
What population does the program aim to benefit?
The program is aimed at improving outcomes for people living with chronic illness, specifically by reducing symptom burden and improving health-related quality of life.
What is meant by "symptom burden" and "HRQL" in this context?
Based on the announcement’s framing, symptom burden refers to the impact and severity of symptoms experienced by people with chronic illness, and HRQL refers to health-related quality of life, including day-to-day functioning and overall well-being as influenced by health and symptoms.
What is the overall program purpose, in plain terms?
The purpose is to support innovative research that links better understanding of symptom mechanisms with practical, targeted symptom strategies that could meaningfully improve daily life for people managing chronic illness.
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|---|
| Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R01) Apply for PA 16 007 Funding Number: PA 16 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High Priority HIV and Substance Use Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA DA 25 024 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Validation and/or Characterization of Genes or Variants Implicated in Substance Use Disorders (R21/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 267 Funding Number: PAR 24 267 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network (CP-CTNet): CP-CTNet Sites (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 24 024 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network (CP-CTNet): Data Management, Auditing, and Statistical Center (DMASC) (UG1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 24 025 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 025 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC; UM1 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA CA 24 028 Funding Number: RFA CA 24 028 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDA Animal Genomics Program (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 269 Funding Number: PAR 24 269 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: Data Mining and Functional Validation (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 26 002 Funding Number: RFA DA 26 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Single Cell Opioid Responses in the Context of HIV (SCORCH) Program: Data Mining and Functional Validation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 26 001 Funding Number: RFA DA 26 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Advancing Research on Molecular Targets and Mechanisms that Influence the Interplay Between Sex Hormones, HIV, and Addictive Substances (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 26 008 Funding Number: RFA DA 26 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Research on Molecular Targets and Mechanisms that Influence the Interplay Between Sex Hormones, HIV, and Addictive Substances (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 26 007 Funding Number: RFA DA 26 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| The Confluence of Cancer Stigma and HIV Stigma in HIV-positive Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 25 011 Funding Number: RFA CA 25 011 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| The Confluence of Cancer Stigma and HIV Stigma in HIV-positive Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA CA 25 012 Funding Number: RFA CA 25 012 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Research Specialist (Clinician Scientist) Award (R50 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 274 Funding Number: PAR 24 274 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Microglial Pathophysiology in Comorbid Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and HIV (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DA 25 063 Funding Number: RFA DA 25 063 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Healthcare for Older Adults from Populations that Experience Health Disparities (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 273 Funding Number: PAR 24 273 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NLM Information Resource Grants to Reduce Health Disparities and Promote Health Equity (G08 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 281 Funding Number: PAR 24 281 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 043 Funding Number: PAR 25 043 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Mechanisms that Impact Cancer Risk after Bariatric Surgery (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 044 Funding Number: PAR 25 044 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 277 Funding Number: PAR 24 277 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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