Systems-Level Risk Detection and Interventions to Reduce Suicide, Ideation, and Behaviors in Youth from Underserved Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MH 25 126

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 25 126

The National Institutes of Health is soliciting R01 research applications under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-25-126, titled "Systems-Level Risk Detection and Interventions to Reduce Suicide, Ideation, and Behaviors in Youth from Underserved Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)." This opportunity supports health-focused research (CFDA 93.242) aimed at reducing suicide risk and suicidal behaviors among at-risk youth, with a clear emphasis on underserved and under-resourced populations and settings. The core intent is to fund projects that can evaluate novel, tailored approaches for feasibility, acceptability, and safety, while also generating the kind of preliminary data that often needs to be in place before a larger efficacy or effectiveness trial can be launched.

A defining feature of this NOFO is its systems-level orientation. Rather than focusing on creating new screening tools or developing new assessment instruments, the program is centered on building, improving, and testing service system interventions that can be implemented broadly and realistically in real-world care environments. The expectation is that applicants will design interventions that help service systems identify suicide risk quickly, evaluate that risk appropriately, and connect youth to the treatment and supports they need. In other words, the emphasis is on how organizations and interconnected services function together to detect risk earlier and respond more effectively, especially in places where youth already receive care and where resources may be limited.

The announcement lays out three main goals for supported projects. First, investigators are expected to develop a multi-level service system intervention that coordinates suicide risk identification, evaluation, and linkage to needed treatment and services for a clearly defined group of at-risk youth. "Multi-level" in this context signals an intervention that works across more than one layer of the service environment, such as workflows, staffing, referral pathways, care coordination practices, cross-setting communication, and partnerships among schools, primary care, behavioral health, community organizations, juvenile justice, or other relevant systems. Second, applicants should test the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention for detecting and reducing suicide risk and suicidal behavior in the targeted youth group, with study designs that can credibly assess whether the system changes lead to meaningful improvements. Third, projects must demonstrate practical implementation and show potential for future uptake in underserved, under-resourced community settings, where at-risk youth are most likely to seek help and where scalability and sustainability matter.

The research scope is meant to move the field toward evidence-based, implementable strategies that improve outcomes for youth at elevated risk. While clinical trials are listed as optional, the overall framing is consistent with applied services research: designing interventions that can be integrated into routine practice, proving they are workable and acceptable to youth and providers, and showing early signs of impact on suicide-related outcomes. The funded work is expected to advance approaches that help service systems respond faster and more consistently when risk is identified, reduce gaps in follow-up and linkage to care, and ultimately lower suicidal ideation and behaviors among vulnerable youth.

Eligibility for this grant is broad across U.S.-based organizations and government entities. 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; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The NOFO also explicitly highlights a range of other eligible applicant types that align with the underserved-populations focus, including 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, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it draws a firm boundary around foreign involvement: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed.

Administratively, this is an NIH discretionary grant using the R01 funding instrument. The original closing date listed is February 20, 2024, and the opportunity was created on September 1, 2023. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a push to develop and test real-world, system-focused interventions that can be adopted in communities with fewer resources, with the long-term aim of strengthening how youth-serving systems recognize suicide risk and connect young people to effective, timely care.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Systems-Level Risk Detection and Interventions to Reduce Suicide, Ideation, and Behaviors in Youth from Underserved Populations (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): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-20. (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.

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