Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R21) | PAR 17 150

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 150

The NIH grant opportunity "Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-17-150) is designed to fund innovative, multidisciplinary projects that explore why certain populations in the United States experience disproportionate burdens of chronic liver diseases and liver cancer. The emphasis is on uncovering underlying causes (etiologic factors) and biological, behavioral, environmental, social, and health system mechanisms that drive these disparities. The program is meant to push the field forward by supporting creative early-stage ideas, new collaborations across disciplines, and exploratory studies that can generate initial evidence, clarify pathways, and identify targets for future intervention or prevention work.

This announcement uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically reserved for early-phase, pilot, exploratory, or developmental research where the goal is to test a novel hypothesis, build feasibility data, or develop preliminary proof-of-concept results rather than to run a large, definitive study. In practical terms, it fits projects that are still in the idea-development stage or that need a smaller award to establish the foundation for a larger research program. Applicants who already have substantial preliminary data and are ready for a bigger, more mature project are directed to a companion announcement with the same scientific scope, PAR-17-151, which uses the R01 mechanism (the more traditional, larger-scale NIH research project grant).

The opportunity sits within NIH's health and education research portfolio and references CFDA numbers 93.273, 93.307, and 93.393, reflecting the NIH programs supporting the scientific area. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, aligning with the smaller-scale nature of R21 support. The original closing date provided in the source is 2019-04-04, and the posting record shows a creation date of 2017-02-02, which helps place the announcement in time for applicants reviewing historical opportunities or tracking prior solicitations.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply. In addition to standard applicants such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), the announcement explicitly highlights institutions and organizations that often play key roles in health disparities research. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Indian/Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized). It also notes eligibility for faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth is consistent with the goal of enabling community-connected, population-relevant research partnerships and ensuring that investigators working closely with disproportionately affected groups can directly compete for support.

The announcement draws important boundaries around foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions/organizations) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as components. At the same time, the FOA allows "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant can include certain types of international collaboration or activities when they meet NIH definitions and are appropriately justified. This structure keeps the primary applicant and award administration within the U.S. while still permitting well-justified global elements that may be scientifically necessary (for example, specialized assays, unique cohorts, or specific expertise), consistent with NIH policy.

Overall, PAR-17-150 is best understood as a targeted R21 opportunity for researchers who want to explain, at a mechanistic level, why chronic liver disease and liver cancer outcomes differ across U.S. populations. It encourages exploratory science that can identify causal pathways and points of leverage for later intervention, and it provides a clear stepping-stone to an R01 track (PAR-17-151) for teams that are ready to scale up once foundational data and feasibility are established.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273, 93.307, 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-02-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-04-04. (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.

Apply for PAR 17 150

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