Section III
Description
Purpose. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) invites research grant applications for investigator-initiated research to enhance scientific understanding of the etiology of psychopathology related to violence and trauma, as well as studies to develop and test effective treatments, services, and prevention strategies in this area. Areas of particular interest to the NIMH include interdisciplinary approaches combining multiple levels of inquiry (e.g., psychological, neurobiological, genetic) and scientific tools (e.g., ecological assessment, neuroimaging, microarrays) for psychopathology risk modeling, identification of highly predictive markers of pathology, and improved diagnostics; translation of basic behavioral and neuroscience findings on resiliency and risk for intervention development and testing; and strategies for effective service provision, particularly where non-specialty systems (i.e., primary care) may be required to provide mental health services. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Development Grant (R21) award mechanism, and runs in parallel with FOAs of similar scientific scope, PA-07-312, which solicits applications under the Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism; PA-07-313, which solicits applications under the Small Research Grant (R03) mechanism; and PAR-07-315, which solicits applications under the Exploratory Grants for Mental Health Interventions and Services (R34) mechanism. The R21 grant mechanism is intended to encourage exploratory and developmental research projects by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of these projects. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. Budget and Project Period. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed two years. Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year. The R21 is not renewable. Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business); State Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization); Hispanic-serving Institution; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Regional Organization; Other(s): Eligible agencies of the Federal government, Faith-based or community-based organizations.