Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 221
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting research applications under the R01 mechanism for a grant opportunity titled "Population Approaches to Reducing Alcohol-related Cancer Risk (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-25-221). The focus is on population-level, interdisciplinary research that can meaningfully reduce cancer risk linked to alcohol by improving public awareness, shifting social norms, strengthening or evaluating policy approaches, and designing, testing, and implementing interventions that operate beyond the individual level. Clinical trials are allowed but not required, which gives applicants flexibility to propose observational, implementation, policy, communication, community, or intervention studies depending on the specific research questions.
A central theme of the NOFO is that alcohol use is a modifiable cancer risk factor, yet awareness of the alcohol-cancer connection remains uneven. NIH is interested in studies that increase understanding of how people perceive alcohol-related cancer risk, how information about that risk spreads (or fails to spread), and what communication or educational strategies are effective in real-world settings. This can include work that looks at warning labels, mass media campaigns, health system messaging, community education, or digital and social media approaches, as long as the work is grounded in population approaches and is aimed at cancer prevention and control.
The NOFO also emphasizes the role of social norms and the broader environment in shaping drinking behavior. Applicants are encouraged to study how norms around alcohol are created and maintained within communities, institutions, and social networks, and to test strategies that can change those norms in ways that reduce risky consumption. This may involve interdisciplinary frameworks drawing from public health, behavioral science, implementation science, epidemiology, health communication, sociology, economics, marketing, and policy research, among other fields.
A major area of interest is alcohol policy research, including the development and/or evaluation of policies that may reduce alcohol consumption and, ultimately, alcohol-related cancer risk. While the NOFO text does not list specific policy levers, the intent is to support rigorous research on population-impacting strategies such as regulatory, pricing, availability, marketing, or other policy-relevant approaches, and to examine how these approaches are adopted, implemented, and sustained across different contexts. Strong applications will typically connect policy or environmental changes to measurable outcomes such as changes in awareness, attitudes, consumption patterns, or other intermediate outcomes relevant to cancer prevention, and when feasible, to cancer-related endpoints or validated risk indicators.
NIH is particularly interested in proposals that address multiple levels of alcohol consumption rather than focusing only on the most severe use. That includes research spanning moderate drinking through heavy drinking, recognizing that cancer risk can be influenced across a continuum of exposure and that population strategies often need to address broad segments of the public. In addition, the NOFO highlights alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a relevant focus area when approached from the perspective of cancer prevention and control. In practical terms, that means studies that consider how AUD-related prevention, identification, treatment, and recovery supports might intersect with cancer risk messaging, screening, prevention services, or broader cancer control strategies.
The opportunity explicitly encourages proposals in understudied areas, signaling that NIH is looking for projects that fill important gaps rather than repeating well-trodden ground. This could include new settings, understudied populations, novel intervention or policy approaches, or research that brings stronger causal inference, better measurement, or more real-world implementation evidence to questions that are currently unresolved. Another key priority is addressing disparities. The NOFO calls for attention to underrepresented minority populations and communities experiencing disproportionate burdens of both cancer and alcohol-related harms, specifically noting American Indian and Alaska Native populations and sexual and gender minority populations. Applications that are designed with these communities in mind, incorporate culturally grounded approaches, and prioritize equitable implementation and impact are aligned with the stated aims.
Eligibility is broad, consistent with many NIH R01 opportunities. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status, and both for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may apply. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are also eligible. The NOFO additionally highlights a range of institution types and organizations as other eligible applicants, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant in the Education and Health activity categories, with CFDA numbers 93.273 and 93.396. The original closing date listed is January 7, 2027, and the NOFO was created on November 6, 2024. An award ceiling is not specified in the provided source data, and the expected number of awards is not listed, so applicants would typically need to rely on NIH program guidance and standard R01 budgeting practices to shape a realistic proposal.
Overall, this funding opportunity is geared toward research that can move the needle at the population level: making the alcohol-cancer risk link better understood, changing the social and policy environments that influence drinking, and deploying interventions that can be adopted at scale. Strong alignment comes from projects that are interdisciplinary, equity-focused, grounded in real-world implementation or policy contexts, and designed to address the full spectrum of alcohol consumption patterns, including but not limited to AUD, with clear relevance to cancer prevention and control.Apply for PAR 25 221
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Population Approaches to Reducing Alcohol-related Cancer Risk (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273, 93.396.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-07.
- 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 title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "Population Approaches to Reducing Alcohol-related Cancer Risk (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-25-221.
Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting research applications for this opportunity.
What grant mechanism is being used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism.
What is the overall purpose of this NOFO?
The purpose is to support population-level, interdisciplinary research that can meaningfully reduce cancer risk linked to alcohol. NIH is interested in approaches that improve public awareness, shift social norms, strengthen or evaluate policy approaches, and design/test/implement interventions that operate beyond the individual level.
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are optional under this NOFO. Applicants may propose clinical trials, but they are not required to do so.
What types of studies fit this opportunity if a clinical trial is not proposed?
The NOFO allows flexibility to propose observational, implementation, policy, communication, community, or intervention studies, as long as they align with population approaches to reducing alcohol-related cancer risk and are relevant to cancer prevention and control.
What does "population approaches" mean in the context of this funding opportunity?
Population approaches refer to strategies and research designs that operate beyond individual-level behavior change alone. Examples described in the NOFO context include improving public awareness, influencing social norms, evaluating policy and environmental changes, and developing interventions that can be adopted and implemented at scale in real-world settings.
What is the central health issue this NOFO addresses?
The NOFO is centered on alcohol use as a modifiable cancer risk factor and supports research aimed at reducing cancer risk linked to alcohol consumption.
Why is public awareness a key focus area?
The NOFO notes that awareness of the alcohol-cancer connection remains uneven. NIH is interested in studies that examine how people perceive alcohol-related cancer risk, how information spreads (or does not spread), and which communication or educational strategies work in real-world settings.
What kinds of communication or education strategies are within scope?
Examples mentioned include warning labels, mass media campaigns, health system messaging, community education, and digital or social media approaches, provided the work is grounded in population approaches and aimed at cancer prevention and control.
How does the NOFO address social norms related to alcohol?
The NOFO emphasizes that social norms and the broader environment shape drinking behavior. Applicants are encouraged to study how norms are created and maintained within communities, institutions, and social networks, and to test strategies that can shift those norms to reduce risky consumption.
Is alcohol policy research encouraged?
Yes. A major area of interest is alcohol policy research, including development and/or evaluation of policies that may reduce alcohol consumption and ultimately alcohol-related cancer risk.
Does the NOFO specify particular alcohol policy levers that must be studied?
No specific policy levers are listed in the provided information. However, the NOFO intent is to support rigorous research on population-impacting strategies such as regulatory, pricing, availability, marketing, or other policy-relevant approaches, and to examine adoption, implementation, and sustainment across contexts.
What outcomes should policy or environmental research connect to?
Strong applications will typically connect policy or environmental changes to measurable outcomes such as changes in awareness, attitudes, consumption patterns, or other intermediate outcomes relevant to cancer prevention. When feasible, studies may also connect to cancer-related endpoints or validated risk indicators.
Is the focus limited to severe alcohol use or alcohol use disorder (AUD)?
No. NIH is particularly interested in proposals that address multiple levels of alcohol consumption rather than focusing only on the most severe use. This includes research spanning moderate drinking through heavy drinking.
How does alcohol use disorder (AUD) fit into this NOFO?
AUD is a relevant focus area when approached from the perspective of cancer prevention and control. The NOFO indicates interest in research considering how AUD-related prevention, identification, treatment, and recovery supports intersect with cancer risk messaging, screening, prevention services, or broader cancer control strategies.
What disciplines or frameworks are encouraged?
The NOFO encourages interdisciplinary frameworks, including (as examples) public health, behavioral science, implementation science, epidemiology, health communication, sociology, economics, marketing, and policy research.
Does NIH encourage research in understudied areas?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly encourages proposals in understudied areas and signals interest in projects that fill important gaps. Examples include new settings, understudied populations, novel intervention or policy approaches, and research that strengthens causal inference, measurement, or real-world implementation evidence.
How does this opportunity address health disparities and equity?
Addressing disparities is a key priority. The NOFO calls for attention to underrepresented minority populations and communities experiencing disproportionate burdens of both cancer and alcohol-related harms. It specifically notes American Indian and Alaska Native populations and sexual and gender minority populations, and it aligns with culturally grounded approaches and equitable implementation and impact.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are also listed as eligible.
Can nonprofits apply if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they have 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit entities eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses may apply.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) entities eligible?
Yes. Non-U.S. (foreign) entities are listed as eligible applicants.
Does the NOFO highlight any institution types as eligible applicants?
Yes. The NOFO highlights a range of eligible institution types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, and regional organizations.
What are the activity categories and CFDA numbers associated with this grant?
This is described as a discretionary grant in the Education and Health activity categories, with CFDA numbers 93.273 and 93.396.
When was this NOFO created?
The NOFO was created on November 6, 2024.
What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is January 7, 2027.
Is there an award ceiling or expected number of awards listed?
No. The provided information states that an award ceiling is not specified and the expected number of awards is not listed.
How should applicants think about budgeting given the lack of a stated award ceiling?
Because the provided information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, applicants would typically rely on NIH program guidance and standard R01 budgeting practices to develop a realistic budget aligned with the proposed scope of work.
What would a well-aligned application generally look like based on the NOFO description?
Based on the provided description, strong alignment comes from projects that are population-level, interdisciplinary, equity-focused, grounded in real-world implementation or policy contexts, and designed to address the full spectrum of alcohol consumption patterns (including but not limited to AUD), with clear relevance to cancer prevention and control.
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