Fundamental Science Research on Mind and Body Approaches (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 323

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 323

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Fundamental Science Research on Mind and Body Approaches (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA 18 323; CFDA: 93.213) supports investigator-initiated research projects that deepen the basic, foundational science behind a wide range of mind and body interventions. It uses the R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven research programs that can generate broadly useful scientific knowledge about how these approaches work, for whom they work, and through what biological, psychological, or behavioral pathways they produce effects. Clinical trials are allowed but not required, so applicants may propose mechanistic laboratory studies, human experimental studies, translational work, or clinical research designs, as long as the central aim is fundamental science rather than simply testing whether an intervention works.

The scope is intentionally broad across what many people consider "integrative" or "complementary" approaches, but the emphasis is on understanding mechanisms and foundational principles. Examples specifically highlighted include mind/brain-focused practices such as meditation and hypnosis; body-based approaches such as acupuncture, massage, and spinal manipulation or mobilization; meditative movement or exercise practices such as yoga, tai chi, and qi gong; and creative modalities such as art therapy and music therapy. The FOA also welcomes integrative approaches that combine multiple components, which could include multicomponent programs that blend movement, breathwork, attention training, and behavioral skills. A key boundary is that studies focused exclusively on pharmacologic approaches are not within scope, so proposals centered only on drugs or other purely pharmacological interventions would not fit the intent of this announcement.

Because the FOA is framed around "fundamental science," projects are expected to move beyond general outcomes and focus on the underlying processes that connect a mind and body approach to changes in health or function. In practice, that could include work clarifying neurobiological, psychophysiological, immune, endocrine, autonomic, or behavioral mechanisms; identifying measurable biomarkers or intermediate phenotypes; mapping dose, intensity, or component contributions within complex interventions; studying the role of expectation, context, learning, and self-regulation; and examining individual differences that may influence response. The announcement is therefore aligned with studies that explain how and why these approaches may influence mind-body systems, rather than simply establishing efficacy in a single population without mechanistic insight.

Eligibility is expansive and includes many public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit entities. Eligible applicants listed 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; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and additional categories under "others." The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); 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 broad eligibility signals NIH interest in drawing strong applications from diverse research environments, including community and culturally grounded settings, and from institutions serving historically underrepresented groups.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses a grant funding instrument under the health activity category. The announcement record indicates an original closing date of 2021-05-07 and a creation date of 2017-10-13. Award ceiling and expected award counts are not specified in the provided source data, which is common in some NIH FOA summaries because budgets and the number of awards can vary based on annual appropriations, program priorities, and the merit of submitted applications.

Overall, this FOA is best understood as an NIH invitation for rigorous, mechanism-oriented research that advances scientific understanding of mind and body interventions across a wide range of modalities, including single-method and integrative approaches, with flexibility to include clinical trials when they are the right tool for answering fundamental questions about mechanisms, components, dosing, and pathways.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fundamental Science Research on Mind and Body Approaches (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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-10-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (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.

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