Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R21) | PA 16 008

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.

• 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.

Apply for PA 16 008

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