Food Specific Molecular Profiles and Biomarkers of Food and Nutrient Intake, and Dietary Exposure (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 727

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 727

The grant opportunity titled "Food Specific Molecular Profiles and Biomarkers of Food and Nutrient Intake, and Dietary Exposure (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-727) is a discretionary NIH research grant that supports studies aimed at improving how scientists objectively measure what people eat. Its central focus is on identifying and validating food-specific molecular signatures and biomarkers that can reliably indicate dietary consumption, nutrient intake, and broader dietary exposures. In practice, this means encouraging research that can move beyond self-reported diet tools (like food frequency questionnaires or dietary recalls) by developing biological measures that better capture real-world intake. A second core goal is to strengthen collaborative connections among nutrition researchers supported by NIH and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), reflecting an emphasis on cross-agency coordination and shared scientific infrastructure.

The science encouraged under this FOA centers on molecular profiles and biomarkers tied to specific foods, dietary patterns, or nutrient exposures. These biomarkers might be detectable in biological specimens such as blood, urine, saliva, stool, hair, or other matrices, depending on the research approach. The concept of "food-specific molecular profiles" typically points to identifiable chemical or metabolomic patterns that appear after consuming particular foods or food groups, while "biomarkers of food and nutrient intake" refers to measurable indicators that can be used to estimate intake with greater accuracy, sensitivity, or specificity than self-report. The inclusion of "dietary exposure" broadens the scope beyond nutrients alone and can cover compounds derived from food processing, cooking byproducts, additives, contaminants, or other diet-related exposures that may affect health. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation indicates that applicants may propose clinical trials if appropriate, but a trial is not required for eligibility under the announcement.

Administratively, this is an R01 mechanism, which is the NIH's standard grant type for investigator-initiated research projects. The listing indicates the funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity categories span education, food and nutrition, and health. The associated CFDA numbers are 93.213, 93.321, 93.393, and 93.847, which correspond to NIH program areas that can be involved in nutrition and biomedical research funding. The posted original closing date is 2020-01-27, and the FOA creation date is 2018-03-29. The source information does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards, which often means those details depend on annual appropriations and institute-level funding decisions rather than being fixed in the public summary.

Eligibility is broad and includes many standard domestic applicant categories: 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; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly highlights a range of additional 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis signals an intent to encourage participation from institutions serving historically underrepresented communities and from community-linked organizations that may be well positioned to support dietary research.

At the same time, there are important limits on foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are stated as not eligible to apply as applicant organizations. However, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are eligible, and foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In practical terms, that means a U.S.-based institution can submit an application and include foreign sites, collaborators, or subcomponents when scientifically justified and consistent with NIH policy, but an overseas institution cannot be the primary applicant.

Overall, the opportunity is designed to push nutrition science toward more objective, biologically grounded measurement of dietary intake and exposure. By advancing biomarkers and molecular profiling methods, the research supported under this FOA is positioned to improve the quality of dietary assessment in observational studies and interventions, strengthen links between diet and health outcomes, and create tools that can be shared and used across NIH- and USDA-supported research communities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food Specific Molecular Profiles and Biomarkers of Food and Nutrient Intake, and Dietary Exposure (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): 93.213, 93.321, 93.393, 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-03-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-01-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 PAR 18 727

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