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.Apply for RFA TR 20 001
- 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Ethical Issues in Translational Science Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) and is identified as RFA-TR-20-001.
Who is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of funding is this?
This is a grant program.
What is the funding mechanism used for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism, which NIH commonly uses to support mature, well-developed, and often hypothesis-driven research programs.
What is the overall purpose of this grant?
The purpose is to support research that addresses real-world ethical challenges in translational science, specifically the challenges that arise when moving discoveries from the lab and early development into practical tools, interventions, technologies, and approaches intended to improve human health.
What does this FOA emphasize about the kind of ethics research it wants to support?
This opportunity emphasizes ethics research that is actionable and evidence-based, intended to inform decision-making and real translational practices. It is framed as more than purely theoretical ethics, with a focus on producing knowledge that can guide how innovations are developed, modified, tested, implemented, and scaled in ethically sound and socially responsible ways.
What parts of the translational pipeline are relevant?
The FOA focuses on ethical issues that occur when moving from early scientific discovery and development into real-world application, including development, testing, implementation, and scaling of biomedical innovations.
Does the grant focus only on individual-level impacts?
No. The announcement explicitly notes attention to downstream effects on individuals, families, communities, and society.
What is meant by "translational science" in this opportunity?
In this context, translational science refers to the process of moving scientific discoveries toward practical, real-world health improvements, including the creation and deployment of tools, interventions, technologies, and approaches.
Are interdisciplinary teams encouraged?
Yes. The FOA strongly encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, noting that progress often requires teams combining expertise from bioethics, law, and the social sciences together with translational research scientists who are engaged in developing or deploying technologies and interventions.
Does NIH expect projects to combine ethical analysis with empirical methods?
Yes. The opportunity points toward work that bridges normative ethical analysis with empirical research methods and the practical realities of translational pipelines. Examples of empirical approaches mentioned include qualitative studies, surveys, policy analysis, behavioral research, and mixed-methods research.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional", meaning a project may include a clinical trial component if it is justified by the research questions, but a clinical trial is not required to be competitive.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is health.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.350.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed?
The listed award ceiling is $300,000, reflecting the cap presented in the provided source information.
How many awards does NIH expect to make?
The expected number of awards is not provided in the supplied listing.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting was created on 2019-10-23.
What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2022-02-08.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types, 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
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (outside of higher education)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Other organizations
Are community-based or faith-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights faith-based or community-based organizations among additional eligible applicant categories.
Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights several categories, including:
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
- Hispanic-serving Institutions
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities
Are U.S. territories eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes U.S. territories or possessions among the additional eligible applicant categories.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) entities eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-U.S. (foreign) entities as eligible.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights eligible federal agencies among additional eligible applicant categories.
Is this opportunity intended to support purely theoretical ethics work?
The FOA emphasizes that it is not limited to ethics as a purely theoretical exercise. It prioritizes research that can inform decisions and practices in translational science and produce practical guidance for responsible innovation.
What kinds of outcomes is NIH looking for from funded projects?
Based on the description provided, NIH is looking for research that generates evidence and actionable knowledge that can shape policies, best practices, and practical tools for ethically navigating translational science.
How does the FOA describe its broader intent across different settings?
The FOA signals an interest in supporting ethically focused translational research across many settings, including community-based environments, underserved populations, and international contexts where translational work can raise distinct legal, cultural, or governance considerations.
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