Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 17 156
This funding opportunity, titled "Evaluating the NIDA Standardized Research E-Cigarette in Risk Reduction and Related Studies (U01)" (PAR 17-156), is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement (U01). Its main goal is to speed up clinical research on whether electronic cigarettes (also called ENDS) can meaningfully reduce the harms linked to smoking combustible tobacco. The program is built around the use of a specific product, the newly developed NIDA Standard Research E-cigarette (SREC), which is intended to function as a consistent, research-grade reference e-cigarette. By requiring studies to use the same standardized device, the FOA aims to generate results that are easier to compare across studies and to create a benchmark that other e-cigarette products can be evaluated against.
The FOA is focused on clinical studies involving current tobacco smokers. Applicants are expected to design studies that examine both potential benefits and potential risks of switching from combustible cigarettes to the NIDA SREC. The research emphasis is on measuring effects across multiple domains, especially behavioral outcomes and biological or health-related biomarkers. In practice, this means proposed projects should not look at just one endpoint; they should gather a broader picture of how using the SREC affects indicators of exposure, harm, and behavior in smokers. The announcement explicitly highlights topics such as whether e-cigarettes can reduce the negative health impacts of conventional smoking and how the SREC influences craving and dependence, which signals interest in both harm reduction outcomes and addiction-related mechanisms that could affect continued use or cessation trajectories.
A central feature of this opportunity is its regulatory dependency. Funding is contingent on review by the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). Specifically, awards depend on CTP determining that the proposed studies fall under FDA regulatory jurisdiction. In addition, CTP must accept the use of the NIDA SREC in the study as an Investigational Tobacco Product (ITP), or determine that an ITP is not required for the proposed work. This requirement effectively means applicants need to be prepared for regulatory coordination and should build realistic timelines, compliance plans, and study procedures that can satisfy CTP expectations. It also underscores that the resulting evidence is meant to be relevant not only to scientific understanding but also to the broader regulatory and public health decision-making environment surrounding e-cigarettes.
The broader intended impact is twofold. First, NIH is aiming for these studies to quickly strengthen the evidence base on whether e-cigarettes, when evaluated through a standardized research product, actually reduce risk compared with combustible tobacco among people who currently smoke. Second, the FOA is designed to produce data that could be useful for public health policy discussions about e-cigarettes, including the evaluation of potential harm reduction claims, balancing of benefits and unintended consequences, and the interpretation of biomarker and behavioral findings in a way that can inform population-level considerations.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and some non-domestic entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and 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 and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also specifically calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. The assistance listing is associated with CFDA number 93.279. The opportunity was created on 2017-02-08, with an original closing date listed as 2019-04-24.Apply for PAR 17 156
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Evaluating the NIDA Standardized Research E-Cigarette in Risk Reduction and Related Studies (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-02-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-04-24. (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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Evaluating the NIDA Standardized Research E-Cigarette in Risk Reduction and Related Studies (U01)" with funding opportunity identifier PAR 17-156.
What type of NIH funding mechanism is this?
This is an NIH discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement (U01).
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
The main goal is to speed up clinical research on whether electronic cigarettes (ENDS) can meaningfully reduce harms associated with smoking combustible tobacco.
What product must studies use under this FOA?
Studies are built around the newly developed NIDA Standard Research E-cigarette (SREC), intended to serve as a consistent, research-grade reference e-cigarette.
Why does the FOA require a standardized e-cigarette device?
Requiring the same standardized device is intended to make results easier to compare across studies and to create a benchmark that other e-cigarette products can be evaluated against.
Who are the intended study participants?
The FOA is focused on clinical studies involving current tobacco smokers.
What kinds of research questions should applicants address?
Applicants are expected to examine both potential benefits and potential risks of switching from combustible cigarettes to the NIDA SREC, including whether e-cigarettes reduce negative health impacts of conventional smoking and how the SREC influences craving and dependence.
Does the FOA emphasize behavioral outcomes, biological measures, or both?
Both. The FOA emphasizes measuring effects across multiple domains, especially behavioral outcomes and biological or health-related biomarkers.
Is it acceptable for a proposed study to focus on only one endpoint?
The FOA indicates that projects should not look at just one endpoint and instead should gather a broader picture of how using the SREC affects indicators of exposure, harm, and behavior in smokers.
What does the FOA mean by assessing "risk reduction"?
Based on the description, risk reduction refers to evaluating whether switching from combustible cigarettes to the standardized SREC reduces harms linked to smoking, using behavioral outcomes and biomarker or health-related measures as part of the evidence base.
What is the role of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) in these awards?
Funding is contingent on review by the FDA CTP. Awards depend on CTP determining that the proposed studies fall under FDA regulatory jurisdiction.
Are awards guaranteed once an application is recommended for funding?
No. The FOA states that awards are contingent on FDA CTP review and determinations, including whether the study falls under FDA jurisdiction and whether the proposed use of the NIDA SREC is acceptable as described.
What is an Investigational Tobacco Product (ITP) in this context?
In this FOA, CTP must accept the use of the NIDA SREC in the study as an Investigational Tobacco Product (ITP), or determine that an ITP is not required for the proposed work.
How does the ITP-related requirement affect study planning?
It means applicants should be prepared for regulatory coordination and build realistic timelines, compliance plans, and study procedures that can satisfy CTP expectations.
Why is regulatory dependency described as a "central feature" of the opportunity?
Because funding depends on FDA CTP determinations about regulatory jurisdiction and the acceptability of using the NIDA SREC as an ITP (or determining an ITP is not required). This directly affects whether an award can be made.
How are the results expected to be used beyond academic research?
The FOA is designed to produce evidence relevant to regulatory and public health decision-making, including policy discussions about e-cigarettes, evaluation of harm reduction claims, and balancing potential benefits and unintended consequences.
What is the intended public health impact of the program?
The intended impact is to quickly strengthen the evidence base on whether standardized e-cigarette use reduces risk compared with combustible tobacco among people who currently smoke, and to generate data useful for public health policy discussions.
What organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and some non-domestic entities, including various levels of government, institutions of higher education (public and private), tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other entities.
Are state and local government entities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, special district governments, and independent school districts.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are eligible.
Are tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations, and the FOA also calls out tribal governments that are not federally recognized and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.
Are nonprofits eligible, including those without 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The FOA includes nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are specifically called out as eligible.
Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA specifically mentions non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) as eligible.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicant categories.
Does the FOA mention eligibility for minority-serving institutions?
Yes. It specifically calls out categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.
What is the assistance listing / CFDA number for this opportunity?
The assistance listing is associated with CFDA number 93.279.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2017-02-08.
What is the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is 2019-04-24.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: YSEALI Summit 2017
Previous opportunity: SERVIR AMAZONIA
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 17 156
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 17 156) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 17 155 Funding Number: PA 17 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Phase Clinical Trials in Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (R01) Apply for PAR 17 167 Funding Number: PAR 17 167 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative: Enabling Biomimetic Tissue-Engineered Technologies for Cancer Research (R01) Apply for PAR 17 171 Funding Number: PAR 17 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (U01) Apply for PAR 17 185 Funding Number: PAR 17 185 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) for the Treatment of Mental or Substance Use Disorders or Alcohol Addiction (U19) Apply for PAR 17 186 Funding Number: PAR 17 186 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Exceptional Research on HIV/AIDS and Substance Abuse (R01) Apply for RFA DA 18 002 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Answers to NCI's Provocative Questions (R21) Apply for RFA CA 17 018 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research Answers to NCI's Provocative Questions (R01) Apply for RFA CA 17 017 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Marijuana, Prescription Opioid, or Prescription Benzodiazepine Drug Use Among Older Adults (R01) Apply for PA 17 196 Funding Number: PA 17 196 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Marijuana, Prescription Opioid, or Prescription Benzodiazepine Drug Use Among Older Adults (R03) Apply for PA 17 198 Funding Number: PA 17 198 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Marijuana, Prescription Opioid, or Prescription Benzodiazepine Drug Use Among Older Adults (R21) Apply for PA 17 197 Funding Number: PA 17 197 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Inter-organelle Communication in Cancer (R21) Apply for PAR 17 204 Funding Number: PAR 17 204 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Inter-organelle Communication in Cancer (R01) Apply for PAR 17 203 Funding Number: PAR 17 203 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Drug Use Research (DP1) Apply for RFA DA 18 001 Funding Number: RFA DA 18 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research: Translational Tumor Glycomics Laboratories (U01) Apply for PAR 17 206 Funding Number: PAR 17 206 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research: Biological Tumor Glycomics Laboratories (U01) Apply for PAR 17 207 Funding Number: PAR 17 207 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Mechanisms of Alcohol-associated Cancers (R21) Apply for PA 17 219 Funding Number: PA 17 219 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanisms of Alcohol-associated Cancers (R01) Apply for PA 17 220 Funding Number: PA 17 220 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Revision Applications to National Cancer Institute (NCI)-supported U01 Awards to Include Research on the NCI's Provocative Questions (U01) Apply for RFA CA 17 020 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Revision Applications to National Cancer Institute (NCI)-supported P01 Awards to Include Research on the NCI's Provocative Questions (P01) Apply for RFA CA 17 021 Funding Number: RFA CA 17 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 17 156", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.