The purpose of this Notice is to clarify the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research priorities for PAR-24-077, "Addressing Health and Health Care Disparities among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations (R01 - Clinical Trials Optional)". This Notice will go in effect on March 5, 2024.
Research Priorities
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will only accept nonclinical trials applications that reflect the mission and scientific priorities as identified in the strategic plan NIMH » The National Institute of Mental Health Strategic Plan (nih.gov) and also NIMH’s Approach to Mental Health Disparities Research. Clinical trial applications will not be accepted under this notice. Per NOT-MH-20-067, NIMH expects that grant applications involving human research participants will collect a minimum set of Common Data Elements. For research involving adults, the expected data collection instruments include demographic measures (age, sex at birth), the Self-Rated Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure-Adult (DSM-5-TR), a measure of impairment (WHODAS), and measures related to anxiety and depression (PHQ-9, GAD-7).
For the purposes of this RFA, the NIMH Division of Translational Research has a particular interest in:
- Studies to better understand increased risk for and impact of mental illness (e.g., anxiety, mood disorder, schizophrenia, suicidal thoughts and behavior, bipolar disorder, disordered eating and body dysmorphia among SGM individuals who are from minoritized racial and ethnic populations that experience racism and/or from SES disadvantaged groups).
- Studies to increase knowledge about the unique experiences and protective factors and targets for preventive mental health programs for SGM populations who are from minoritized racial and ethnic populations and/or from SES disadvantaged groups.
- Studies to increase knowledge about the intersection of SGM identity, race and ethnicity, and/or SES as risk/protective factors for trauma and violence and to identify target of actions for intervention development.
- Studies that test conceptual models of how intersectionality of SGM identity and race and ethnicity and/or SES influence brain neurocircuitry, brain function, and social, emotional, and cognitive behavior.
- Studies that elucidate how intersectionality of SGM identity, race and ethnicity and/or SES influences the trajectory of mental illness across the lifespan (e.g., prepuberty, puberty, menopause, later life).
- Studies examining how the syndemic effects of COVID-19 combined with racism and discrimination directed at individuals with intersectional SGM and minoritized racial and ethnic identities influence risk for and trajectory of mental illness.
- Studies comparing geographic locality differences in incidence and severity of mental health disorders in SGM populations who are from minoritized racial and ethnic populations and/or from SES disadvantaged groups and include relevant community and policy factors as potential socioecological determinants.
- Studies that incorporate and examine the intersection of sexual and gender identity, age, race and ethnicity, social economic status (SES), rural/urban environment, and cultural factors as a means to reduce health disparities and to ensure that effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic breakthroughs are equitable across all populations with mental illness.
- Studies on the intersection of SGM identity, race and ethnicity, and/or SES that further our understanding of how community engagement and health care system factors can contribute to improved treatment adherence, retention, and outcomes in mental health care specifically designed for, or modified for SGM populations who are from minoritized racial and ethnic populations and/or from SES disadvantaged groups.
