Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 24 007
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Understanding and Mitigating Health Disparities experienced by People with Disabilities caused by Ableism (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)," Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HD-24-007. This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) uses the R01 research project grant mechanism and supports studies that can be either clinical-trial free or clinical trial optional, meaning applicants may propose observational, mechanistic, intervention, implementation, or other human-subjects work as appropriate, including trials when justified. The central purpose is to build a stronger evidence base on how ableism shapes health and health disparities for people with disabilities (PWD), and to generate practical strategies that reduce the harmful health impacts of ableism at the community or health-system level.
The NOFO emphasizes two main research priorities. First, it seeks research that explains the underlying mechanisms through which ableism leads to worse health outcomes for PWD. This includes examining pathways at multiple levels, such as interpersonal discrimination, institutional policies and practices, barriers in clinical environments, stigma and bias in provider decision-making, accessibility failures, exclusion from preventive care, and the cumulative stress and social determinants that can follow from marginalization. The goal in this area is not just to document disparities, but to clarify how ableism operates as a driver of inequity and how those processes translate into measurable differences in physical health, mental health, healthcare access and quality, and broader well-being.
Second, the NOFO prioritizes the development and/or testing of interventions intended to mitigate the adverse health effects of ableism. Importantly, these interventions are expected to be situated at the community level or within health systems, rather than focusing only on individual behavior change. Examples consistent with this priority could include interventions that improve accessibility and accommodation practices, address discriminatory policies or procedures, train and support healthcare teams to reduce bias and improve disability-competent care, redesign care pathways to reduce structural barriers, or build community-engaged programs that strengthen access to services and supports. Because clinical trials are optional, applicants can propose rigorous evaluation designs that match the intervention, such as randomized or cluster-randomized trials, stepped-wedge designs, quasi-experimental evaluations, pragmatic trials within real-world clinics, or mixed-methods implementation studies.
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic organization types that commonly apply to NIH opportunities. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. While the document references "non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations)," it also states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. At the same time, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which generally means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain foreign elements (for example, a collaborator site or specific foreign-based activities) if they are well-justified and meet NIH policy, but the applicant organization itself must be eligible and domestic.
Key administrative details provided include an original closing date of 2023-11-29 and a listed award ceiling of $499,999. The opportunity is categorized under Education, Health, Income Security, and Social Services funding activity areas, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.286, 93.399, 93.865, and 93.867. Overall, the program is designed to push the field beyond describing disability-related disparities by centering ableism as a modifiable upstream factor, supporting research that explains causal or contributing pathways, and funding actionable interventions capable of reducing inequities in real community and health-care settings.Apply for RFA HD 24 007
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Understanding and Mitigating Health Disparities experienced by People with Disabilities caused by Ableism (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): 93.286, 93.399, 93.865, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-11-29. (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 $499,999.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Understanding and Mitigating Health Disparities experienced by People with Disabilities caused by Ableism (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)."
2. What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this NOFO?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-HD-24-007.
3. What grant mechanism is being used?
This NOFO uses the NIH R01 Research Project Grant mechanism.
4. What is the overall purpose of this grant program?
The purpose is to build a stronger evidence base on how ableism shapes health and health disparities for people with disabilities (PWD), and to generate practical strategies that reduce the harmful health impacts of ableism at the community or health-system level.
5. What does "R01 Clinical Trial Optional" mean for applicants?
It means applicants may propose studies that do not include a clinical trial or may include a clinical trial when it is justified. The NOFO supports a range of human-subjects research approaches, including observational, mechanistic, intervention, and implementation studies, with trials allowed but not required.
6. What are the two main research priorities in this NOFO?
The NOFO emphasizes two priorities: (1) research explaining mechanisms through which ableism leads to worse health outcomes for PWD, and (2) development and/or testing of interventions intended to mitigate the adverse health effects of ableism, particularly at community or health-system levels.
7. What kinds of "mechanisms" is NIH looking for in the first research priority?
The NOFO highlights multi-level pathways, including interpersonal discrimination; institutional policies and practices; barriers in clinical environments; stigma and bias in provider decision-making; accessibility failures; exclusion from preventive care; and cumulative stress and social determinants linked to marginalization. The emphasis is on clarifying how ableism operates as a driver of inequity and how those processes translate into measurable outcomes.
8. What health outcomes or domains may be examined?
The NOFO specifically references measurable differences in physical health, mental health, healthcare access and quality, and broader well-being.
9. Does this program only want studies that document disparities?
No. The NOFO explicitly aims to push the field beyond describing disability-related disparities by clarifying how ableism functions as a driver of inequity and by supporting research that explains causal or contributing pathways and funds actionable interventions.
10. What kinds of interventions are encouraged under the second priority area?
Interventions are expected to be situated at the community level or within health systems, rather than focusing only on individual behavior change. Examples consistent with the NOFO include improving accessibility and accommodation practices; addressing discriminatory policies or procedures; training and supporting healthcare teams to reduce bias and improve disability-competent care; redesigning care pathways to reduce structural barriers; and building community-engaged programs that strengthen access to services and supports.
11. Are interventions required to be tested through randomized clinical trials?
No. Clinical trials are optional. The NOFO indicates applicants can propose rigorous evaluation designs that match the intervention and setting.
12. What evaluation designs are mentioned as suitable for intervention research?
The NOFO lists examples such as randomized or cluster-randomized trials, stepped-wedge designs, quasi-experimental evaluations, pragmatic trials within real-world clinics, and mixed-methods implementation studies.
13. Can applicants propose observational or mechanistic studies without an intervention component?
Yes. The NOFO supports studies that explain underlying mechanisms through which ableism leads to worse outcomes, and it also supports intervention development/testing. The clinical trial component is optional.
14. Where should interventions be implemented according to the NOFO?
The NOFO emphasizes interventions at the community level or within health systems (for example, clinics and healthcare delivery environments), rather than interventions focused only on changing individual behavior.
15. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic organization types commonly eligible for NIH opportunities, including various government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses.
16. Which types of government entities are eligible?
Eligible government applicants include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; and special district governments.
17. Are public and private colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
18. Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories).
19. Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible applicants, and small businesses are also listed separately as eligible.
20. Are school districts eligible applicants?
Yes. Independent school districts are included among eligible applicant types.
21. Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The NOFO also highlights tribal governments that are not federally recognized as an additional eligible applicant type.
22. Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among additional eligible applicant types.
23. Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The NOFO highlights faith-based or community-based organizations as additional eligible applicant types.
24. Are minority-serving institutions specifically included?
Yes. The NOFO highlights 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); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
25. Are eligible federal agencies allowed to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among the additional eligible applicant types.
26. Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply as the applicant?
No. The information provided states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.
27. Are foreign components allowed at all?
Yes, foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This generally means a domestic, eligible U.S. applicant organization may include certain foreign elements (such as a collaborator site or specific foreign-based activities) if they are well-justified and consistent with NIH policy, but the applicant organization itself must be eligible and domestic.
28. What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2023-11-29.
29. What is the listed award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $499,999.
30. What funding activity areas are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under Education, Health, Income Security, and Social Services.
31. Which CFDA numbers are associated with this program?
The NOFO is associated with CFDA numbers 93.286, 93.399, 93.865, 93.867.
32. What types of settings does NIH want this research to influence?
The NOFO emphasizes community and healthcare system settings, with an intent to generate practical strategies that reduce the harmful health impacts of ableism in real-world environments.
33. What is meant by centering ableism as an "upstream" factor?
Based on the NOFO description, the program treats ableism as a modifiable driver that can shape downstream outcomes such as healthcare access, quality of care, and physical and mental health. The goal is to identify and test changes at policy, practice, and system levels that can reduce inequities.
34. Does the NOFO indicate specific types of ableism-related barriers to investigate?
Yes. Examples mentioned include barriers in clinical environments, accessibility failures, discriminatory policies and practices, and bias in provider decision-making, among other interpersonal and institutional factors.
35. Can proposals include implementation-focused research?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly includes implementation studies among the types of work that may be proposed, and it mentions mixed-methods implementation studies as an example of an evaluation approach.
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