Screening and Brief Alcohol Interventions in Underage and Young Adult Populations (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 199

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 199

The funding opportunity titled "Screening and Brief Alcohol Interventions in Underage and Young Adult Populations (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18 199) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant solicitation focused on improving public health by preventing or reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related harms in underage individuals and young adults. The central aim of the announcement is to support research that tests, refines, or develops screening approaches and brief interventions that can be used to identify risky drinking and quickly deliver practical, evidence-informed support to reduce harm. The emphasis on "screening and brief interventions" signals interest in strategies that are relatively low-burden and scalable, such as short assessments for alcohol risk and concise counseling, feedback, or motivational approaches that can be delivered in common real-world settings (for example, schools, clinics, colleges, community programs, or other youth-serving environments). The "R21" mechanism indicates an exploratory/developmental type of award, typically used to generate early evidence, pilot novel approaches, or establish feasibility for larger future studies, and the listing notes that a clinical trial is optional, meaning applicants may propose either clinical-trial or non-clinical-trial research designs depending on the project.

The opportunity falls under the Health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.273. While the announcement is NIH-led, the scope is specifically targeted to the underage and young adult period, when alcohol initiation, escalation, and related consequences (injury, academic problems, risky sexual behavior, violence exposure, legal issues, and progression toward alcohol use disorder) can be especially pronounced. Projects supported under this FOA would generally be expected to contribute actionable knowledge about what works, for whom it works, and in what contexts brief screening and intervention methods can most effectively reduce drinking or prevent alcohol-related negative outcomes.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can credibly conduct health research or implement and evaluate interventions. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, and local 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where relevant); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as 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 (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible agencies of the federal government; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; tribal governments other than federally recognized; and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations. Taken together, this signals NIH interest in reaching diverse communities and supporting work in settings where underage and young adult drinking risks may differ due to geography, culture, access to services, or structural barriers.

From an award structure standpoint, the posted award ceiling is $200,000, aligning with the smaller, early-stage nature of the R21 mechanism. The original closing date shown in the source data is 2018-09-07, with a creation date of 2017-11-06, indicating the record reflects that funding cycle and timing. Even so, the content provides a clear picture of what NIH was seeking through this FOA: research that can strengthen the evidence base for practical screening tools and brief intervention strategies aimed at reducing alcohol use and related harms among adolescents and young adults, with flexibility around whether a clinical trial component is included.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Screening and Brief Alcohol Interventions in Underage and Young Adult Populations (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-09-07. (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 $200,000.00 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.

Apply for PA 18 199

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