Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 017
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity titled "Palliative Care Needs of Individuals with Rare Advanced Diseases and Their Family Caregivers (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-17-017) is a discretionary research grant designed to build a stronger evidence base for palliative care in the context of advanced rare diseases, including rare cancers. The central goal is to generate new knowledge that can improve both physical and psychosocial well-being and overall quality of life for people living with serious, advanced rare conditions, while also addressing the needs and outcomes of their family caregivers. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at research that helps clinicians, health systems, and communities better understand what patients and caregivers in rare-disease settings actually experience, what gaps exist in current palliative care approaches, and what strategies might work to relieve symptoms, reduce distress, support decision-making, and improve day-to-day functioning and quality of life.
This announcement uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which typically supports early-stage, exploratory, or developmental research that can open up new lines of investigation or produce preliminary evidence that later supports larger clinical or implementation studies. Projects funded under an R21 are often expected to be innovative and focused, such as developing and piloting an intervention, testing the feasibility of a care model, refining measurement tools tailored to rare disease populations, or identifying key palliative care needs that have not been well characterized. Because rare diseases frequently involve small, geographically dispersed patient populations and variable illness trajectories, this FOA implicitly supports work that can overcome common barriers in rare-disease research, such as limited sample sizes, challenges in recruitment, and a lack of validated palliative care outcomes measures specific to these conditions.
The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity areas fall under education and health. The opportunity lists CFDA numbers 93.361, 93.393, 93.395, and 93.399, indicating alignment with multiple NIH program areas that can include cancer and other health-related research domains. The award ceiling is listed as $200,000, which signals a relatively modest budget consistent with exploratory R21 studies. The original closing date shown in the source information is January 24, 2018, and the record creation date is October 18, 2016, meaning this is a historical listing; anyone interested in applying would need to verify whether NIH has reissued, updated, or replaced this FOA with a newer version and what the current deadlines and application requirements are.
A notable feature of the announcement is its broad eligibility. In addition to standard eligible applicants such as state, county, city, township, and special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, it includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. It also allows nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses, along with an "Others" category that further expands who may apply.
The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types that NIH wants to encourage, reflecting an interest in reaching diverse communities and enabling research in settings where patients and caregivers actually receive care and support. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. It also allows eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). That breadth suggests NIH anticipated that meaningful palliative care research for rare advanced diseases may need partnerships across academic centers, community organizations, tribal entities, and international groups, especially given that expertise and patient communities for certain rare diseases may be distributed globally.
Overall, this R21 opportunity is focused on strengthening the science behind palliative care for advanced rare diseases by supporting exploratory research that can identify needs, test promising approaches, and improve quality of life outcomes for both patients and family caregivers. It is structured to invite a wide range of applicants and settings, likely because rare-disease palliative care gaps are multifaceted and often require collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and communities to make progress.Apply for PA 17 017
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Palliative Care Needs of Individuals with Rare Advanced Diseases and Their Family Caregivers (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.361, 93.393, 93.395, 93.399.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-10-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Palliative Care Needs of Individuals with Rare Advanced Diseases and Their Family Caregivers (R21)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA-17-017.
What type of award is this?
This is a discretionary research grant.
What NIH grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This announcement uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically used for early-stage, exploratory, or developmental research.
What is the main purpose of this R21 opportunity?
The central goal is to build a stronger evidence base for palliative care in the context of advanced rare diseases (including rare cancers) by generating new knowledge that can improve quality of life and well-being for patients and outcomes for family caregivers.
Who is the research intended to help?
The focus is on people living with serious, advanced rare conditions and their family caregivers, with an emphasis on improving both patient and caregiver experiences and outcomes.
What kinds of patient outcomes are emphasized?
The opportunity emphasizes improving physical and psychosocial well-being and overall quality of life, including relief of symptoms, reduction of distress, support for decision-making, and improved day-to-day functioning.
What kinds of caregiver outcomes are emphasized?
The opportunity explicitly includes addressing the needs and outcomes of family caregivers in rare-disease settings.
What practical questions is this research expected to address?
The announcement is aimed at research that helps clinicians, health systems, and communities better understand what patients and caregivers in rare-disease settings experience, what gaps exist in current palliative care approaches, and what strategies may work to improve quality of life.
What kinds of projects are a good fit for an R21 under this FOA?
R21 projects under this opportunity are described as innovative and focused, such as developing and piloting an intervention, testing feasibility of a care model, refining measurement tools tailored to rare disease populations, or identifying key palliative care needs that are not well characterized.
Is this opportunity meant for large clinical trials or large implementation projects?
Based on the use of the R21 mechanism and the stated intent, this opportunity is oriented toward exploratory and developmental work that can produce preliminary evidence to support later, larger clinical or implementation studies.
Why does the FOA highlight challenges specific to rare diseases?
Rare diseases often involve small and geographically dispersed patient populations and variable illness trajectories. The FOA reflects interest in research approaches that can overcome barriers such as limited sample sizes, recruitment challenges, and the lack of validated palliative care outcome measures specific to these conditions.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is listed as $200,000.
What are the activity areas for this opportunity?
The listed activity areas are education and health.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA numbers 93.361, 93.393, 93.395, and 93.399.
Does this FOA include rare cancers?
Yes. The description explicitly includes advanced rare diseases, including rare cancers.
Who can apply for this grant (general eligibility)?
The opportunity lists broad eligibility, including various government entities, higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private), federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations (including those not federally recognized as tribal governments), nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status, outside of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and an "Others" category.
Are state and local government entities eligible?
Yes. The listing includes state, county, city, township, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. The listing includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments, and also calls out Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically encouraged or included?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); and related tribal entities.
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education).
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and also separately lists small businesses as eligible.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA indicates that faith-based or community-based organizations are eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes U.S. territories or possessions.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes regional organizations.
Are federal agencies eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA indicates that eligible federal agencies may apply.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations).
Why does the FOA allow such broad eligibility?
The description suggests NIH anticipated that meaningful palliative care research for rare advanced diseases may require partnerships across academic centers, community organizations, tribal entities, and international groups, especially because patient communities and expertise for some rare diseases may be globally distributed.
What is the listed closing date in the provided information?
The original closing date shown is January 24, 2018.
Is this FOA current or historical based on the information provided?
Based on the record creation date (October 18, 2016) and the listed closing date (January 24, 2018), the listing is described as historical.
What should applicants do given the listed deadline is in the past?
Anyone interested in applying would need to verify whether NIH has reissued, updated, or replaced this FOA, and confirm current deadlines and application requirements.
What broader impact is NIH seeking through this opportunity?
The overall aim is to strengthen the science behind palliative care for advanced rare diseases by supporting exploratory research that can identify needs, test promising approaches, and improve quality of life outcomes for both patients and family caregivers.
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| Use of Technology to Enhance Patient Outcomes and Prevent Illness (R01) Apply for PA 17 010 Funding Number: PA 17 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nicotinic Immune Modulation in the Presence of HIV-1 Infection (R01) Apply for RFA DA 17 020 Funding Number: RFA DA 17 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving Quality of Care and Quality of Life for Persons with Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias at the End of Life (R01) Apply for PAS 17 027 Funding Number: PAS 17 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving Quality of Care and Quality of Life for Persons with Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias at the End of Life (R03) Apply for PAS 17 026 Funding Number: PAS 17 026 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| NCI Research Specialist (Core-based Scientist) Award (R50) Apply for PAR 17 050 Funding Number: PAR 17 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Research Specialist (laboratory-based Scientist) Award (R50) Apply for PAR 17 049 Funding Number: PAR 17 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Phylodynamic Tracking of HIV Transmission (R01) Apply for PAR 17 048 Funding Number: PAR 17 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Innovative Molecular and Cellular Analysis Technologies for Basic and Clinical Cancer Research (R21) Apply for RFA CA 17 010 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 010 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| National Cancer Institute Youth Enjoy Science Research Education Program (R25) Apply for PAR 17 059 Funding Number: PAR 17 059 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Promoting Caregiver Health Using Self-Management (R01) Apply for PA 17 062 Funding Number: PA 17 062 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN)(UM1) Apply for RFA CA 16 501 Funding Number: RFA CA 16 501 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Oral Anticancer Agents: Utilization, Adherence, and Health Care Delivery (R21) Apply for PA 17 061 Funding Number: PA 17 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Oral Anticancer Agents: Utilization, Adherence, and Health Care Delivery (R01) Apply for PA 17 060 Funding Number: PA 17 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K22) Apply for PAR 17 069 Funding Number: PAR 17 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Optimizing the HIV Care Continuum for Substance Abusing Populations at High-Risk and/or Living with HIV (R01) Apply for RFA DA 17 024 Funding Number: RFA DA 17 024 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NCI Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Fellow Transition Award (F99/K00) Apply for RFA CA 17 014 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Awards to Institutional Training Programs to Advance Research on Alzheimers Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (T32) Apply for PAR 17 072 Funding Number: PAR 17 072 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Potential Effects of Metformin on Aging and Age-Related Conditions: Small-Scale Clinical Studies and Secondary Analysis of Controlled Clinical Studies (R01) Apply for PA 17 073 Funding Number: PA 17 073 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIH-DoD-VA Pain Management Collaboratory - Coordinating Center (U24) Apply for RFA AT 17 002 Funding Number: RFA AT 17 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Tobacco Use and HIV in Low and Middle Income Countries (R01) Apply for PAR 17 087 Funding Number: PAR 17 087 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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