Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 20 421

The NIMH Career Enhancement Award to Advance Autism Services Research for Adults and Transition-Age Youth (K18 Clinical Trial Required), funding opportunity number RFA-MH-20-421 (CFDA 93.242), is a discretionary NIH grant from the Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institute of Mental Health. It is designed specifically for experienced, independent investigators who want to pivot their research direction or broaden their program by gaining new skills in autism services research focused on adults and transition-age youth. The core idea is to help established researchers move beyond their current expertise into areas that are complementary but meaningfully new, so they can contribute to improving real-world services and supports for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during the transition to adulthood and throughout adult life.

A key feature of this K18 is that it combines two elements: structured research training and career development experiences, plus a small-scale research project. The training component is meant to build concrete scientific competencies needed to conduct autism services research in adult and transition-age populations, which may include learning new methods, building partnerships with service systems, or developing expertise in implementation, dissemination, service delivery models, outcomes measurement, and related approaches commonly used in services research. The accompanying research project is intentionally limited in scope, serving as a practical vehicle for applying the newly acquired skills, generating preliminary data, and positioning the investigator for a larger and more sustained program of autism services research in this area.

The opportunity is open to a wide range of applicant organizations. Eligible applicants include various levels of government entities (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, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations. It also allows for for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, along with other applicants as described in the funding announcement’s additional eligibility language. This broad eligibility reflects the reality that autism services research often spans universities, healthcare and community providers, public systems, and other service settings.

In terms of who the award is meant to support, the target candidates are independent investigators at any faculty rank or level. In practical terms, that typically means researchers who are already established and capable of leading a research program, but who want dedicated support and protected time to gain expertise in adult and transition-age autism services research. The “Clinical Trial Required” designation in the title indicates that the proposed small-scale project is expected to meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial, which generally involves prospective assignment to an intervention and the evaluation of its effects on health-related or behavioral outcomes. Applicants would need to design their project accordingly and be prepared to meet NIH expectations for clinical trial oversight and reporting.

The funding opportunity was created on November 27, 2019, with an original closing date of October 15, 2020, and NIMH anticipated making about seven awards. The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates that the specific maximum dollar amount is not provided in the summary field and would need to be confirmed in the full announcement or NIH guidance for the K18 mechanism. Overall, this K18 is best understood as a career enhancement and retooling grant: it supports established investigators in building new, service-relevant expertise and producing early-stage research that can accelerate progress in improving services and outcomes for adults and transition-age youth on the autism spectrum.

  • The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIMH Career Enhancement Award to Advance Autism Services Research for Adults and Transition-Age Youth (K18 Clinical Trial Required)" 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 Nov 27, 2019.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 15, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
  • 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for RFA MH 20 421

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FAQs: NIMH Career Enhancement Award to Advance Autism Services Research for Adults and Transition-Age Youth (K18 Clinical Trial Required)

What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the NIMH Career Enhancement Award to Advance Autism Services Research for Adults and Transition-Age Youth (K18 Clinical Trial Required). It is an NIH discretionary grant administered by the Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA listing?

The funding opportunity number is RFA-MH-20-421, and the CFDA number listed is 93.242.

What is the main purpose of this K18 award?

The purpose is to support experienced, independent investigators who want to pivot their research direction or broaden their program by gaining new skills in autism services research focused on adults and transition-age youth. The goal is to help established researchers move into complementary but meaningfully new areas that can improve real-world services and supports for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during the transition to adulthood and across adult life.

Who is this award designed for?

The target candidates are independent investigators at any faculty rank or level. In practical terms, this generally refers to researchers who are already established and able to lead a research program, but who want protected time and structured support to gain expertise specifically in adult and transition-age autism services research.

Is this meant for new investigators or early-career researchers?

Based on the description provided, this award is designed specifically for experienced, independent investigators rather than trainees or investigators just starting out.

What populations must the research focus on?

The focus is autism services research for adults and transition-age youth with ASD, emphasizing the transition to adulthood and adult life.

What does "autism services research" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this context, it refers to research aimed at improving real-world services and supports. The announcement highlights areas commonly used in services research, such as implementation, dissemination, service delivery models, outcomes measurement, and related approaches, often in partnership with service systems.

What are the two main components of this K18?

This K18 combines (1) structured research training and career development experiences and (2) a small-scale research project. The intent is that the training builds concrete competencies, and the small project serves as a practical way to apply those new skills.

What is the role of the training and career development component?

The training component is intended to build concrete scientific competencies needed to conduct autism services research in adult and transition-age populations. Examples mentioned include learning new methods, building partnerships with service systems, and developing expertise in implementation, dissemination, service delivery models, and outcomes measurement.

What is the purpose of the small-scale research project?

The small-scale project is intentionally limited in scope. It is meant to let the investigator apply newly acquired skills, generate preliminary data, and position the investigator for a larger and more sustained program of autism services research focused on adults and transition-age youth.

What does "Clinical Trial Required" mean for applicants?

It indicates the proposed small-scale project is expected to meet NIH's definition of a clinical trial. The description notes this generally involves prospective assignment to an intervention and evaluation of its effects on health-related or behavioral outcomes. Applicants should design the project accordingly and be prepared to meet NIH expectations for clinical trial oversight and reporting.

Does the project have to include an intervention and outcome evaluation?

Based on the "Clinical Trial Required" designation and the description provided, the small-scale project is expected to involve prospective assignment to an intervention and evaluation of effects on health-related or behavioral outcomes, consistent with NIH's clinical trial definition.

What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations, including:

  • State governments
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
  • Special district governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories)
  • Public housing authorities / Indian housing authorities
  • Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
  • Other Native American tribal organizations
  • For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
  • Small businesses
  • Other applicants as described in the funding announcement's additional eligibility language

Why is eligibility so broad?

The description explains that autism services research often spans universities, healthcare and community providers, public systems, and other service settings, so eligibility is broad to reflect where services research is conducted.

Which federal agency and institute are sponsoring this opportunity?

This is an NIH grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administered through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on November 27, 2019.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date shown is October 15, 2020.

How many awards did NIMH anticipate making?

NIMH anticipated making about seven awards.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0. As noted in the description, that typically means the specific maximum dollar amount is not provided in the summary field and would need to be confirmed in the full funding announcement or NIH guidance for the K18 mechanism.

What is this K18 best understood as?

It is best understood as a career enhancement and retooling grant for established investigators: it supports building new, service-relevant expertise and producing early-stage research that can accelerate progress in improving services and outcomes for adults and transition-age youth on the autism spectrum.

What kinds of skills or competencies is the award intended to help investigators gain?

The description highlights competencies commonly needed for services research, including learning new methods, building partnerships with service systems, and developing expertise in areas like implementation, dissemination, service delivery models, and outcomes measurement.

Is the research project expected to be large and comprehensive?

No. The research project is described as intentionally limited in scope and is positioned as a way to apply newly acquired skills and generate preliminary data for a larger future program of work.

What is the longer-term outcome NIMH seems to be aiming for?

The longer-term aim is to help established investigators develop the expertise and early evidence needed to launch a larger, sustained program of autism services research that improves real-world services and supports for transition-age youth and adults with ASD.

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