Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 246

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 246

The NIH funding opportunity titled "Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (PAR-18-246) supports research projects that develop and test interventions aimed at helping caregivers of adult cancer patients. The central idea is that caregivers are a key part of cancer care, often responsible for managing symptoms, medications, appointments, transportation, and emotional support, yet they frequently receive limited formal training or structured support. This FOA seeks well-designed intervention research that gives caregivers practical care training and strengthens coping skills, with the expectation that better-supported caregivers can provide more effective care and remain healthier themselves, which can translate into better outcomes for patients.

The interventions envisioned under this announcement are meant to improve caregivers capacity to manage the daily demands of cancer care. That includes teaching hands-on caregiving skills, improving communication and problem-solving, and building coping strategies to reduce stress, anxiety, or burnout. The FOA is focused on measurable downstream impact in three main areas: optimizing patient health care utilization (for example, reducing avoidable emergency department visits or unplanned hospitalizations and improving appropriate use of outpatient and supportive services), improving caregiver well-being (such as mental health, physical health, quality of life, sleep, burden, and resilience), and improving patient outcomes, both physical and psychosocial (including symptom control, functional status, adherence to treatment plans, and emotional well-being). Because this is an R01 mechanism, the expectation is typically a rigorous research plan with strong design, clear outcomes, and meaningful contribution to the evidence base. The "clinical trial optional" label means applicants may propose either studies that meet NIH clinical trial definitions or other types of intervention research, depending on the specific project aims.

In terms of who can apply, the opportunity is broadly available across many organization types. Eligible applicants 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; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education, since those are listed separately); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible groups 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it places clear restrictions on foreign involvement: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed.

Operationally, this is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity in the Education and Health activity category, with CFDA numbers 93.395 and 93.399. The funding instrument is a grant, and the administering agency is the National Institutes of Health. The opportunity was created on 2017-11-28, and the original closing date listed in the provided source data is 2019-04-11. The source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would typically look to the full FOA and NIH institute-specific guidance for budget expectations, scope alignment, and review considerations. Overall, the announcement is aimed at building strong evidence for caregiver-focused interventions that not only support caregivers directly but also improve patient health and make health care use more effective and appropriate.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.395, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-04-11. (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 18 246

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