Notice of Intent to Publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Community-Engaged Health Equity Research in Neuroscience Initiative (R01 CT Not Allowed)

Key Dates

None

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for research on Community-Engaged Health Equity Research in Neuroscience. This NOFO will solicit applications to establish clinical trial readiness for community-driven research interventions to decrease disparities in neurological disorders in NIH-designated populations that experience health disparities (HDPs). These clinical studies will utilize community-engaged research and collaborative, multidisciplinary teams to identify, develop and evaluate strategies to improve outcomes related to neurological disorders in HDPs and fill gaps in clinical trial readiness.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects

The NOFO is expected to be published in Late Summer 2023 with an expected application due date in Fall/ Early Winter 2023.

This NOFO will utilize the R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed activity code. Details of the planned NOFO are provided below.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is committed to reducing the disproportionate burden of neurological disease borne by vulnerable and marginalized populations. NINDS mission is in alignment with the NIH’s overall commitment to ensure that health disparities and minority health research is prioritized across clinical trials and human subject research (NIH UNITE Initiative). NIH-designated populations that experience health disparities (HDPs) include racially and ethnically minoritized groups (Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders), socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, underserved rural communities and sexual and gender minoritized groups.

The NINDS Community-Engaged Health Equity Research in Neuroscience Initiative (HERN) is a multi-pronged approach to 1) Advance community-engaged health equity research across all neurological disease areas within HDPs and 2) Support collaborations, education and capacity building to conduct such research. This initiative is in direct response to recommendations from the NINDS Health Equity Strategic Plan which aim to reduce the disproportionate burden of disparities and inequities in neurological disorders.

In 2020, a National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council (NANDSC) expert working group commissioned by the NINDS director was convened to determine and address gaps in its health disparities research portfolio, suggest novel methods and collaborations to decrease or eliminate these disparities and develop recommendations. Recommendations emphasized the need to increase community engagement, improve recruitment and retention and utilize health equity research principles to advance neurological health equity in HDPs.

This Notice encourages diverse, collaborative teams with multidisciplinary expertise (e.g., neurological disorders, health disparities/equity, and community-based participatory research) and insights into conducting community-engaged health equity research in neuroscience to consider applying for this new NOFO.

Expected outcomes for the HERN R01 include 1) Identifying and understanding drivers of health disparities and barriers for specific neurological disorders within HDP communities, 2) Identifying specific modifiable targets to prevent and/or decrease neurological morbidity/mortality and inequities among HDPs, and 3) Establishing clinical trial readiness through development of community-driven research interventions to decrease disparities and gaps in neurological health among HDPs.

Areas of research encouraged in this initiative include, but are not limited to: 1) Examination of specific factors (e.g., Stigma, discrimination, racism) contributing to disparities in neurological disorders in HDPs, and 2) Development of strategies to assess and measure specific, modifiable social determinants of health that contribute to disparities in neurological disorders in HDPs.

Funding Information

Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education
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:

Cheryse A. Sankar, PhD
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
NINDS_HERN@ninds.nih.gov