Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R01) | PAR 17 473

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 473

The Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R01) funding opportunity (PAR-17-473) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support rigorous research on electronic nicotine delivery systems, commonly referred to as e-cigarettes or vaping products. The core aim is to fund population-based, clinical, and applied prevention studies that improve understanding of how ENDS are used, why people start and continue using them, and what the public health consequences may be across different groups. A key emphasis is on generating evidence relevant to disease prevention, including both potential harms and potential benefits, and clarifying how ENDS use may influence initiation, cessation, relapse, or dual use of other tobacco products.

The scientific scope is broad and centers on several main research themes. First, the opportunity supports studies on the etiology of ENDS use, meaning research that looks at drivers of initiation and patterns of continued use, such as behavioral, social, environmental, marketing, and policy influences. Second, it supports epidemiology-focused work that characterizes who is using ENDS, how usage patterns change over time, and how these patterns differ across age groups, communities, and risk profiles. Third, it encourages research on potential risks and benefits, including investigations that can help determine what health outcomes might be associated with ENDS exposure and how those outcomes compare with combustible tobacco or other nicotine products. Finally, it highlights the importance of understanding ENDS impacts on other tobacco-use behaviors, such as whether ENDS use encourages quitting cigarettes, sustains nicotine dependence, promotes dual use, or increases the likelihood of transitioning to or from other tobacco products. Collectively, the intent is to build an evidence base that can inform prevention strategies, clinical guidance, and population-level public health decision-making.

This announcement uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which is typically intended for well-developed research projects with clearly defined aims, strong study design, and the ability to generate generalizable findings. The funding activity category listed is Education and Health, reflecting the prevention and public health orientation of the research. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.121, 93.279, 93.307, 93.399), indicating that it aligns with several NIH program and institute funding authorities. The original closing date shown for the opportunity is November 27, 2017, and the source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, suggesting that award size and volume may have depended on available appropriations, application quality, and program priorities at the time.

Eligibility is wide and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations that can conduct health-related research. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education when specified in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as 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 government agencies, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This broad eligibility framework is meant to encourage diverse institutions and community-connected organizations to contribute research that reflects the experiences and needs of varied populations.

At the same time, the opportunity includes clear restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. The announcement further states that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. In practical terms, the program is focused on U.S.-based applicant organizations and does not permit foreign subcomponents or foreign project components under the NIH definition, reinforcing that funded work must be carried out without foreign components and within the allowed organizational footprint.

In summary, PAR-17-473 is an NIH R01 grant opportunity intended to strengthen the evidence base on ENDS by supporting prevention-oriented research spanning population studies, clinical research, and applied interventions. It prioritizes understanding why ENDS are used, how use spreads and evolves across populations, what risks and benefits may exist, and how ENDS affects other tobacco behaviors. The eligibility rules invite applications from a wide range of U.S. governmental, academic, nonprofit, and commercial entities, including many minority-serving and community-based institutions, while explicitly excluding foreign applicants and foreign components.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.279, 93.307, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-09-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-11-27. (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 17 473

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