Ancillary Studies to Identify Behavioral and/or Psychological Phenotypes Contributing to Obesity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 105

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 105

The NIH funding opportunity "Ancillary Studies to Identify Behavioral and/or Psychological Phenotypes Contributing to Obesity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR-18-105) supports research that adds new behavioral and/or psychological measurements to human studies in order to explain why people differ in weight trajectories and in how they respond to obesity prevention or treatment. The core idea is to fund "ancillary" work, meaning applicants are expected to build onto an existing or newly planned study by incorporating additional measures that were not part of the original project scope. These added measures can include weight-related outcomes such as BMI or body composition, but the emphasis is on capturing behavioral and psychological constructs that may function as phenotypes, or identifiable patterns of traits and processes, that help explain individual variability in weight status and change over time.

A central focus of the announcement is behavior and psychology as they relate to energy intake. On the behavioral side, the FOA highlights observable eating actions that can be measured directly, such as the amount of food consumed, the type or quality of foods selected, and the rate or speed of intake during eating episodes. On the psychological side, it encourages measurement of underlying processes involved in regulating intake, including cognitive control (for example, the ability to inhibit impulses or maintain goal-directed behavior), affective responses (emotions that may shape eating decisions), learning mechanisms, and motivation. By layering these kinds of measures onto ongoing or planned studies, the program aims to identify meaningful behavioral and psychological profiles that can predict who gains weight, who maintains weight, and who benefits from particular interventions.

The rationale behind the opportunity is practical as well as scientific. NIH is signaling that obesity prevention and treatment efforts can become more effective when they move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and instead match individuals to strategies that fit their characteristics. If researchers can better pinpoint the specific traits and processes that drive different eating patterns and weight outcomes, that knowledge can support more tailored interventions, reveal new targets for behavior change, and potentially improve results both for individuals and at the population level.

This FOA uses the R01 grant mechanism and is designated "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component, but they are not required to do so. The activity aligns with NIH interests in health, nutrition, and obesity-related research (CFDA 93.847). The original posting lists an original closing date of 2019-02-28 and a creation date of 2017-11-21; in practice, applicants would need to verify current availability, deadlines, and any reissued versions of the announcement on NIH systems.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and institutions. Examples include state, county, and local governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; special district governments; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions related to non-U.S. participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In other words, the applicant organization must be domestic, and the project work supported under this FOA cannot include foreign components under NIH policy definitions.

Overall, PAR-18-105 is aimed at strengthening obesity research by funding the strategic addition of psychological and behavioral measurements to human studies, with the explicit goal of discovering measurable phenotypes that explain differences in weight and intervention outcomes. The expected payoff is improved prediction of risk and response, better personalization of prevention and treatment, and identification of new behavioral or psychological targets that could lead to more effective weight management approaches.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ancillary Studies to Identify Behavioral and/or Psychological Phenotypes Contributing to Obesity (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): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-02-28. (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.

Apply for PAR 18 105

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