U.S. Tobacco Control Policies to Reduce Health Disparities (R01) | PAR 17 217

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 217

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "U.S. Tobacco Control Policies to Reduce Health Disparities (R01)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-17-217) is a discretionary grant program designed to support research that directly targets inequities in tobacco use and tobacco-related harm across the United States. The central focus is on reducing tobacco-use-related health disparities in vulnerable or disproportionately affected populations through the study of tobacco control policies. The FOA supports both observational research (for example, studies that evaluate how existing policies influence tobacco use patterns in different groups) and intervention research (for example, testing policy-driven strategies intended to reduce unequal tobacco use and outcomes). In practical terms, applicants are expected to center their projects on tobacco prevention and control strategies where the primary outcome is a measurable reduction in disparities, not just overall prevalence.

This FOA is specifically meant to stimulate innovative scientific work on tobacco control policies, meaning it is oriented toward policy-relevant research questions rather than purely clinical or individual-level cessation programs. Projects can examine how policy tools (such as pricing and taxation approaches, retail restrictions, smoke-free laws, marketing and flavored product restrictions, youth access policies, or enforcement strategies) may reduce unequal tobacco use and tobacco-related disease burden among groups that experience higher rates of use, higher exposure, or worse health outcomes. The long-term objective is broader than behavior change alone: NIH emphasizes reducing disparities in downstream health outcomes and, ultimately, decreasing the excess disease burden caused by tobacco within these populations.

The FOA also flags health economics as a possible component area, but it adds an important note: applicants proposing work related to health economics are encouraged to consult NIH guidance (NOT-OD-16-025) to make sure their proposed economic analyses align with NIH mission priorities. This is essentially a reminder that economic modeling, cost-effectiveness work, or policy impact analyses should be designed in a way that fits NIH expectations for health economics research and remains tightly connected to health outcomes and disparity reduction.

From an eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is open to a wide range of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also permits nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status, as well as for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses. In addition, the announcement highlights certain categories of "other eligible applicants," signaling a clear interest in participation by institutions and organizations that serve or represent populations often affected by tobacco-related disparities. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the FOA is explicit about limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible either. The announcement further states that foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. In other words, applicants must plan projects that are fully domestic in terms of organizational participation and project components, consistent with a U.S.-focused policy and disparities agenda.

Administratively, this is an NIH grant using the R01 mechanism, which typically supports mature, hypothesis-driven projects with a defined research plan and measurable outcomes. The Funding Activity Category is listed under Education and Health, with CFDA number 93.393. The opportunity was created on 2017-05-26, and the original closing date listed is 2018-01-23. While the source data does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards, the core message of the FOA is clear: NIH is looking to fund rigorous, policy-focused research that can demonstrate how tobacco control approaches can narrow gaps in tobacco use and tobacco-related disease among populations that have historically experienced disproportionate harm.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Tobacco Control Policies to Reduce Health Disparities (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.393.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-05-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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 PAR 17 217

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