Tobacco Control Policies to Promote Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 302

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 302

The Tobacco Control Policies to Promote Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (NIH, PAR-20-302; CFDA 93.395) supports research that looks closely at how tobacco prevention and control policies can reduce unequal burdens of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure across different populations in the United States. The central idea is to fund studies that either observe real-world policy impacts or test interventions tied to policy implementation, with a clear emphasis on reducing disparities. By focusing on state and local policy environments, the program aims to generate practical, policy-relevant evidence that can be used to improve public health outcomes where inequities are most pronounced.

A key feature of this announcement is its specific focus on innovative state and local tobacco control policies. Projects are expected to examine how these policies are designed, adopted, implemented, enforced, and experienced by communities, particularly groups that face higher rates of tobacco use or greater exposure to secondhand smoke. The long-term objective goes beyond reducing tobacco use in general; it is explicitly tied to reducing disparities in tobacco-related cancers and advancing health equity for all populations. In other words, the research should help explain not only whether a policy works, but whether it works equitably, for whom, and under what real-world conditions.

The FOA allows for a wide range of scientific approaches under the R01 mechanism, including both observational studies (for example, evaluations of policy changes over time, natural experiments, surveillance-based analyses, or comparative policy studies across jurisdictions) and intervention research (for example, strategies that strengthen policy uptake, enforcement, compliance, or equitable implementation). The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants may propose clinical trials if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The emphasis remains on tobacco control policy and its effects on disparities in use and secondhand smoke exposure rather than on clinical treatment per se.

Applicants intending to submit health economics-focused projects are encouraged to consult NIH guidance in NOT-OD-16-025 to ensure alignment with NIH priorities in health economics research. This is essentially a reminder that economic analyses (such as taxation effects, pricing policies, cost-effectiveness, health care cost impacts, or economic equity impacts) should be framed in ways that match NIH expectations for rigor and mission relevance.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township 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; 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); small businesses; and other organizations. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories that are often central to equity-focused policy research, 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, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity places firm limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined by NIH Grants Policy) are not allowed. This makes the program strongly U.S.-focused in both research setting and organizational participation, consistent with its goal of addressing tobacco-related disparities within the United States.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health as a discretionary grant program using the R01 funding instrument. The source data lists an original closing date of 2023-09-07 and a creation date of 2020-09-04. An award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing, which often means applicants need to rely on NIH standard R01 budgeting rules and any institute- or application-specific guidance for practical expectations.

Overall, this FOA is designed for researchers and organizations that want to produce strong, actionable evidence on how tobacco control policies at the state and local level can be leveraged or improved to reduce inequities in tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, with the broader public health payoff of lowering disparities in tobacco-related cancer outcomes and supporting health equity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tobacco Control Policies to Promote Health Equity (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.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-09-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-07. (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 20 302

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