Omics-guided Biobehavioral Interventions for Improved Health Outcomes: A Step Forward in Translation (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 377

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 19 377

Omics-guided Biobehavioral Interventions for Improved Health Outcomes: A Step Forward in Translation (PAR-19-377) is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity that uses the R01 mechanism and allows, but does not require, a clinical trial. The central goal is to push clinical research that takes practical advantage of rapid progress in genomics and other omics fields and moves that science closer to real-world, person-centered care. In plain terms, NIH is looking for projects that do more than collect omics data; they should use omics-informed insights to shape, tailor, or optimize biobehavioral interventions that can be translated into improved health outcomes. The announcement highlights a broad definition of "omics," explicitly including areas such as genomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, signaling interest in multi-omics approaches as well as single-domain omics when it clearly supports intervention development or personalization.

The emphasis on "biobehavioral interventions" points to strategies that connect biology with behavior and lived experience. That can include interventions targeting behavior change, stress processes, sleep, physical activity, diet, adherence, symptom self-management, coping skills, or other health-related behaviors, as long as the research is grounded in clinical relevance and has a clear pathway to translation. The "step forward in translation" framing suggests that proposed studies should be designed to move beyond basic discovery and toward actionable applications, such as identifying which individuals are most likely to benefit from a given intervention, refining intervention components based on biological response signatures, or using omics markers to track response and adjust treatment in a personalized way.

This opportunity is categorized under Education and Health and is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 93.361. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity type is an R01, which typically supports substantial, multi-year research projects with a strong scientific premise, rigorous design, and meaningful impact potential. The listing indicates that a specific award ceiling and expected number of awards are not provided in the source data shared, which often means budgets and award counts depend on the participating NIH institutes, application pressure, and available appropriations.

Eligibility is broad and includes many standard applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and industry. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized; tribal organizations and tribal governments that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories that NIH wants to see included and supported, 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 federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). That breadth is important because it signals openness to community-engaged and geographically diverse research settings, as well as cross-national collaborations when scientifically justified.

In terms of timing, the source data lists an original closing date of 2023-01-07 and a creation date of 2019-09-13. Practically, that means the opportunity was introduced in 2019 and had at least one application due date in early 2023, though NIH funding announcements sometimes have multiple due dates or can be reissued under new numbers over time. Anyone planning to apply would normally verify the current status, active receipt dates, and any updated versions of the announcement on NIH and Grants.gov, since the provided record reflects a particular snapshot.

Overall, this FOA is aimed at researchers who can bridge cutting-edge omics science with intervention research in a way that is clinically meaningful and scalable. Competitive projects under this call would be expected to articulate a clear clinical need, explain how omics data will concretely inform intervention design or personalization, and show a credible path to improved outcomes in people, not just improved biological measurement. The "clinical trial optional" designation gives flexibility: applicants can propose a clinical trial when it is necessary to test an omics-guided intervention approach, or propose other types of clinical research that still advance translation without necessarily running a full trial.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Omics-guided Biobehavioral Interventions for Improved Health Outcomes: A Step Forward in Translation (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): 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-09-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-01-07. (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 19 377

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: