Ethical Issues in Translational Science Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA TR 20 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA TR 20 001

The Ethical Issues in Translational Science Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-TR-20-001) is a discretionary NIH grant program designed to support research that tackles real-world ethical challenges that arise when moving scientific discoveries from the lab and early development stages into practical tools, interventions, technologies, and approaches that can improve human health. The core aim is to build evidence and actionable knowledge that can guide how new biomedical innovations are developed, modified, tested, implemented, and scaled in ways that are ethically sound and socially responsible. Rather than focusing on ethics as a purely theoretical exercise, this opportunity emphasizes research that can inform decision-making and practices in translational science, including attention to downstream effects on individuals, families, communities, and society.

A key feature of the announcement is its strong encouragement of interdisciplinary collaboration. NIH signals that meaningful progress on these issues often requires teams that combine expertise from bioethics, law, and social sciences alongside translational research scientists who are directly involved in developing or deploying new technologies and interventions. In practice, this points to projects that can bridge normative ethical analysis with empirical research methods (such as qualitative studies, surveys, policy analysis, behavioral research, or mixed-methods work) and with the on-the-ground realities of translational pipelines. The mention of "Clinical Trial Optional" indicates that proposed projects may include a clinical trial component if it is justified by the research questions, but a trial is not required for competitiveness.

The opportunity sits within NIH's health research mission and is associated with CFDA 93.350. It uses the R01 mechanism, which is NIH's standard support model for mature, hypothesis-driven or well-developed research programs. The listed award ceiling is $300,000, reflecting a funding cap as presented in the source data. While the expected number of awards is not provided in the supplied listing, the announcement is framed as supporting a portfolio of studies that can generate generalizable insights and practical guidance for ethically navigating translational science.

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, spanning many types of organizations that may be positioned to study or address translational ethics in diverse contexts. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities. Taken together, this signals an interest in supporting ethically focused translational research across many settings, including community-based environments, underserved populations, and international contexts where translational work may raise distinct legal, cultural, or governance considerations.

Administratively, the sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, the funding instrument type is a grant, and the funding activity category is health. The posting was created on 2019-10-23, and the original closing date listed is 2022-02-08. Overall, the FOA is best understood as an NIH effort to strengthen the ethical foundation of translational science by funding rigorous research that can shape policies, best practices, and practical tools for responsible innovation, while encouraging teams that integrate ethical, legal, social, and scientific expertise.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ethical Issues in Translational Science Research (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): 93.350.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-10-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-02-08. (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 $300,000.00 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 RFA TR 20 001

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: