Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 284
The Innovative Pilot Mental Health Services Research Not Involving Clinical Trials (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) funding opportunity (PAR-25-284) is a discretionary NIH grant administered under the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is designed to support early-stage, pilot services research projects in mental health that align with NIMH priorities but do not involve clinical trials. The central idea is to create space for foundational and mission-relevant services research that may be necessary to move the field forward, even when the work is not yet at the point of testing an intervention or is not intended to serve as an immediate lead-in to an intervention effectiveness study.
A key feature of this announcement is the explicit restriction that projects cannot be clinical trials, which matters because NIMH generally expects intervention research to follow an experimental therapeutics model. This NOFO recognizes that some important questions in mental health services research are not intervention trials at all. In practice, that means the opportunity is aimed at projects that generate actionable evidence about how mental health services are organized, delivered, accessed, financed, staffed, implemented, measured, or improved, without assigning participants to interventions or experimentally manipulating care delivery in ways that meet the definition of a clinical trial. The R34 mechanism signals that NIMH is looking for pilot-scale work: studies that establish feasibility, refine methods, develop or validate measures, build or harmonize data resources, test research infrastructure, or produce preliminary findings that strengthen the evidence base and prepare the ground for later, larger-scale services research.
The award information provided indicates an award ceiling of $225,000. The NOFO is associated with CFDA (assistance listing) number 93.242 and falls under the broad activity category of Health. The original closing date listed is January 7, 2028, suggesting that applications may be accepted over multiple due dates within that window, consistent with how many NIH program announcements operate.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly participate in NIH services research. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal entities are included, such as federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations, and the announcement also highlights Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, and public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are also listed as eligible. Importantly, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are eligible as well, along with an "Other" category that can cover additional eligible entity types under NIH rules.
The NOFO also specifically calls out additional eligible applicants that NIMH wants to encourage, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It further notes eligibility for faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, that list signals an intent to broaden participation and to support research that is closely connected to real-world service systems and communities, including settings that are often underrepresented in mental health research.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as NIMH support for targeted, pilot mental health services research that can answer practical and policy-relevant questions without running a clinical trial. It is a fit for teams that need to establish the feasibility of a services research approach, develop the groundwork for future studies, or generate early evidence about systems, implementation contexts, service delivery structures, and methods that can improve how mental health care is provided and accessed, while staying squarely outside the clinical trial category.Apply for PAR 25 284
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Pilot Mental Health Services Research Not Involving Clinical Trials (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $225,000.00 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 name and number of this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is titled Innovative Pilot Mental Health Services Research Not Involving Clinical Trials (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), with funding opportunity number PAR-25-284.
Which agency administers this grant?
It is a discretionary NIH grant administered by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the purpose of this program?
The program supports early-stage, pilot mental health services research that aligns with NIMH priorities and helps move the field forward. The intent is to create space for foundational, mission-relevant services research that may be necessary before an intervention can be tested (or when the research is not intended to directly lead into an intervention effectiveness study).
What kind of research does NIMH want to fund under this announcement?
The focus is on mental health services research that can produce actionable evidence about how mental health services are:
- organized
- delivered
- accessed
- financed
- staffed
- implemented
- measured
- improved
Projects should remain outside the definition of a clinical trial and should fit the pilot nature of the R34 mechanism.
Are clinical trials allowed?
No. This notice of funding opportunity explicitly restricts applications to projects that cannot be clinical trials. The mechanism is labeled Clinical Trial Not Allowed.
Why does this opportunity prohibit clinical trials?
NIMH often expects intervention research to follow an experimental therapeutics model. This funding opportunity recognizes that some important mental health services research questions are not intervention trials at all, and it is designed to support those non-trial questions and approaches.
What does it mean for a project to be "not a clinical trial" in this context?
Based on the information provided, the work should avoid assigning participants to interventions or experimentally manipulating care delivery in ways that meet the definition of a clinical trial. Instead, projects should focus on services research questions and pilot-scale methods development, feasibility, measurement, data resources, or early evidence generation about systems and service delivery.
What is the R34 mechanism intended to support here?
The R34 mechanism signals a focus on pilot-scale work such as studies that:
- establish feasibility
- refine methods
- develop or validate measures
- build or harmonize data resources
- test research infrastructure
- produce preliminary findings that strengthen the evidence base and prepare for later, larger-scale services research
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $225,000.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number?
The opportunity is associated with assistance listing (CFDA) number 93.242.
What is the broad activity category for this opportunity?
The broad activity category is Health.
When is the closing date?
The original closing date listed is January 7, 2028.
Does the long closing window mean there may be multiple due dates?
Yes. The information indicates that applications may be accepted over multiple due dates within the closing window, which is consistent with how many NIH program announcements operate.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that commonly participate in NIH services research, including:
- 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
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized
- Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other eligible entity types under NIH rules (listed as an "Other" category)
Are Tribal entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other Native American tribal organizations, and also highlights Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status?
No. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and also includes small businesses.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.
Does the NOFO encourage applications from specific institution types?
Yes. The NOFO specifically calls out additional eligible applicants that NIMH wants to encourage, including:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The information provided notes eligibility for faith-based or community-based organizations.
Can federal agencies apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes eligible agencies of the federal government.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. The information provided includes regional organizations among eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The information provided includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The information indicates that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are eligible.
What types of projects are a strong fit for this opportunity?
Projects are a strong fit when they are targeted, pilot mental health services research efforts that answer practical and policy-relevant questions, such as work that:
- establishes feasibility of a services research approach
- develops groundwork for future services research studies
- generates early evidence about systems, implementation contexts, or service delivery structures
- advances methods, measures, data resources, or research infrastructure relevant to mental health services
All projects must remain clearly outside the clinical trial category.
How should applicants think about the overall intent of this funding opportunity?
The overall intent is to support foundational, mission-relevant mental health services research that can improve understanding of how care is provided and accessed, without running a clinical trial, and to strengthen the evidence base in ways that can prepare the ground for later, larger-scale services research.
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Applicants also applied for:
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Innovative Mental Health Services Research Not Involving Clinical Trials (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 283 Funding Number: PAR 25 283 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NEI Research Grant for Vision-Related Secondary Data Analysis (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 357 Funding Number: PAR 25 357 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Agreement for In Vivo High-Resolution Imaging for Inner Ear Visualization (U01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DC 25 003 Funding Number: RFA DC 25 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NIDCD Cooperative Agreement for Clinical Trials in Communication Disorders (U01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 25 343 Funding Number: PAR 25 343 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| In Vivo High-Resolution Imaging for Inner Ear Visualization (R01 Clinical Trial optional) Apply for RFA DC 25 005 Funding Number: RFA DC 25 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 335 Funding Number: PAR 25 335 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 363 Funding Number: PAR 25 363 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Complement-ARIE New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) Data Hub and Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 24 013 Funding Number: RFA RM 24 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 319 Funding Number: PAR 25 319 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Trailblazer Award for New and Early Stage Investigators (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 25 169 Funding Number: PA 25 169 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Joint NINDS/NIMH Exploratory Neuroscience Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 25 150 Funding Number: PA 25 150 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Prospective Observational Comparative Effectiveness Research in Clinical Neurosciences (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 048 Funding Number: PAR 25 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 318 Funding Number: PAR 25 318 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NEI Clinical Research Study Planning Grant Program (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 25 358 Funding Number: PAR 25 358 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32) Apply for PAR 25 250 Funding Number: PAR 25 250 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Disseminating PCOR Evidence for Long COVID Care into Practice Through Up-to-Date Clinical Decision Support Apply for RFA HS 25 001 Funding Number: RFA HS 25 001 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Single Source: Bench to Bassinet Congenital Heart disease Advancing New understanding in GEnomics Cohort (B2B CHANGE Cohort) Data Coordinating Center (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HL 26 007 Funding Number: RFA HL 26 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $4,010,000 |
| Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Northern Border Rural Workforce Apply for HRSA 25 011 Funding Number: HRSA 25 011 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Molecular Mechanisms of Combination Adjuvants (MMCA) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 25 006 Funding Number: RFA AI 25 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Pathways Apply for HRSA 25 093 Funding Number: HRSA 25 093 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
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