Key Dates
- August 21, 2024 - Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional). See NOT-CA-24-096.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
The National Cancer Institute intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for pilot/exploratory policy research projects that focus on disparities in tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis exposure and/or use by examining new or adapted policies pertaining to tobacco, alcohol, and/or cannabis in the U.S. The results of funded projects will advance equitable tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis policies. This NOFO will utilize the R21 grant mechanism (clinical trial optional), which is intended to encourage exploratory/developmental research by providing support for the early and conceptual stages of project development.
This Notice of Intent to Publish is being provided to allow sufficient time for applicants to develop strong applications.
The NOFO is expected to be published in September 2024 with an expected first application due date in March 2025. Details of a pre-application webinar will be announced after the publication of the NOFO.
Potential applicants are encouraged to view the presentation of this initiative to the Joint Virtual Meeting of the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors and the National Cancer Advisory Board, available at https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=54859 beginning at 5 hours, 8 minutes. Presentation slides are downloadable at: https://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/joint/0624/Kaufman.pdf
Tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis are the most commonly used substances in the U.S and disparities in use and exposure contribute substantially to health inequities. Tobacco products cause nearly 30% of cancer mortality, and there are considerable differences in cigarette smoking prevalence among subpopulations related to income, level of educational attainment, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersections of these and other social circumstances and social identities. Alcohol causes 5.6% of cancer deaths. Cannabis research findings are emerging. Disparities in use exist for alcohol and cannabis as well. For example, lifetime prevalence of alcohol use disorder is highest for those with lower income, and weekly or monthly cannabis use and dependence are more prevalent among certain racial and ethnic groups.
Policies can influence use and exposure, and Federal, state, and local policies are continually changing for these three substances. For example, in recent years, tobacco flavor bans have taken effect in five states, with Massachusetts and California prohibiting the sale of both flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes. Although cannabis remains illegal federally, increasing numbers of U.S. states and territories allow non-medical and medical use of cannabis. The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) has tracked numerous policy changes across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. With such a rapidly changing policy environment, disparities in use and exposure may change for better or for worse. Evidence-based policies rooted in public health may prevent or mitigate disparities. Policies could also, through unanticipated effects or otherwise, exacerbate existing disparities or contribute to emerging disparities.
Given that disparities exist, and that use and co-use of these three substances is common, it is essential to consider the knock-on effects of policies that target one substance on the use of other substances, particularly in high-risk populations. Preliminary evidence suggests that changes in cannabis policy influence alcohol use and that changes in smoke-free policies impact alcohol consumption. More research is needed to assess the impact of policies designed for one or more substances on the exposure to and use of all three substances, and to determine how these effects might differ in ways that create, ameliorate, or exacerbate disparities.
Applications must focus on at least one policy pertaining to tobacco, alcohol, or cannabis, capture baseline and follow-up tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis exposure and/or use, and study one or more NIH-designated populations that experience health disparities in the U.S. Applications should build on rigorous dissemination and implementation science. Moreover, to foster the development of feasible, acceptable, and scalable policy approaches, projects will be required to include meaningful engagement with a community partner organization.
Funding Information
TBD
R21 applications are limited to $275,000 in direct costs for up to 2 years. No more than $200,000 may be requested in any single year.
93.399; 93.307
Private Institution of Higher Education
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)
Small Business
For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)
State Government
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)
County governments
Independent school districts
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization (Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
U.S. Territory or Possession
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
Regional Organization
Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
Applications are not being solicited at this time.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Annette Kaufman, PhD, MPH
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
Telephone: 301-467-8521
Email: [email protected]
Margaret Mayer, PhD, MPH
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
Telephone: 202-815-5515
Email: [email protected]
and Human Services (HHS)
