Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD) Exploratory/Developmental Projects (UH2) | RFA AA 17 012

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AA 17 012

The Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD) Exploratory/Developmental Projects (UH2) funding opportunity (RFA-AA-17-012) is a National Institutes of Health program administered by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Its purpose is to continue and strengthen the work of the CIFASD consortium, a long-running, multidisciplinary network of U.S. and international investigators focused on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The program is built around the idea that FASD is a complex public health problem that cannot be solved by single-lab efforts, so it emphasizes coordinated, collaborative research that links clinical studies, basic science, and translational work to move findings more quickly toward real-world impact.

The scientific scope centers on three core areas: prevention of FASD, improved diagnosis across the full range of defects and outcomes associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), and interventions that can lessen or ameliorate effects in individuals who have been exposed. In practice, this means the opportunity is looking for projects that contribute to better ways of preventing alcohol exposure during pregnancy, more accurate and earlier identification of children and individuals affected by PAE (including those who may not meet classic diagnostic profiles), and development or testing of strategies that improve functioning and health outcomes. A key emphasis is translation, meaning applicants are expected to frame their exploratory or developmental ideas in ways that can realistically connect to clinical or community benefit, even if the proposed work is still early-stage.

The award mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement (UH2), which signals that this is not a standard independent research grant. Under a cooperative agreement, NIAAA typically has substantial programmatic involvement, and projects are expected to operate as part of a coordinated consortium. For applicants, that generally means the project should be designed to integrate with CIFASD priorities, share data or methods when appropriate, align with consortium-wide protocols or collaborative aims, and contribute to collective milestones. The UH2 label also reflects an exploratory/developmental orientation, supporting projects that are innovative, potentially high-impact, and at a stage where feasibility, proof-of-concept, or early development work is still needed.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding in the health area, with CFDA number 93.273. The original application closing date listed is November 29, 2016, and the funding information provided includes an award ceiling of $200,000. The announcement indicates the intent to make awards (the expected number of awards field is present but not populated in the provided source), and it was created on August 29, 2016. Because this is framed as continuing the research efforts of the existing CIFASD consortium, proposed projects should clearly justify how they extend, complement, or accelerate ongoing CIFASD goals rather than operating as standalone, unrelated studies.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations, reflecting the consortium model and the need to engage academic, clinical, community, and governmental partners. 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; tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other entities. The announcement also highlights 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility underscores that CIFASD is designed to support diverse settings and populations, including communities that may be disproportionately affected or underserved.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a mechanism to seed and advance early-stage, collaborative projects that strengthen the CIFASD consortium's ability to prevent prenatal alcohol exposure, diagnose FASD more effectively, and develop interventions that improve outcomes. The defining features are consortium participation, cross-disciplinary coordination, and a clear focus on moving promising ideas toward practical, translational value through structured collaboration with NIAAA and other CIFASD partners.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD) Exploratory/Developmental Projects (UH2)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-11-29. (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 RFA AA 17 012

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