Mental Health Research Dissertation Grant to Enhance Workforce Diversity (R36 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 18 894

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 894

The Mental Health Research Dissertation Grant to Enhance Workforce Diversity (R36, Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity administered through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Its central goal is to strengthen and diversify the future mental health research workforce by supporting doctoral dissertation projects conducted by students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social sciences research. In practical terms, the grant is meant to provide targeted support so a doctoral candidate can complete the research required for their dissertation in an area that aligns with NIMH strategic priorities, thereby helping promising researchers stay on track and move into research careers.

The scope of research that can be supported is broad as long as it fits within NIMH priorities, which generally cover understanding, preventing, and treating mental illnesses and improving mental health outcomes through rigorous scientific approaches. The award is specifically focused on the dissertation phase of training, meaning it is designed to fund the completion of a defined doctoral research project rather than general coursework or unrelated professional development. A key restriction is captured directly in the title: independent clinical trials are not allowed under this mechanism. Applicants therefore need to propose research that does not meet NIH definitions of an independent clinical trial, which typically means the student cannot be the one initiating and leading a clinical trial as the responsible party under this award.

This FOA is categorized as a discretionary grant program within the health funding activity area and is associated with CFDA number 93.242. The opportunity number is PAR-18-894, and it was created on August 8, 2018, with an original closing date listed as September 8, 2021. While the excerpt does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the intent is clear: to provide dissertation-level support that helps broaden participation in mental health research careers and encourages entry and retention of underrepresented scholars in the research pipeline.

Eligibility is fairly expansive at the organizational level and includes many types of U.S.-based entities that can serve as applicant organizations. Eligible applicants listed 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/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types, emphasizing institutions and organizations that often play major roles in educating and supporting underrepresented students and communities. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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 FOA draws clear boundaries around non-U.S. applicants. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, the announcement notes that foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This generally means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain foreign elements in the overall project (for example, a foreign performance site or collaboration) when justified and permitted under NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot be the primary applicant.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a dissertation-completion award tied to NIMH priorities, structured to help expand workforce diversity in mental health research by investing directly in doctoral researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. It supports the scientific work needed to finish a dissertation project, encourages participation across a wide range of eligible U.S. organizations, and maintains specific NIH policy limits regarding clinical trials and foreign eligibility.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mental Health Research Dissertation Grant to Enhance Workforce Diversity (R36 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" 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 2018-08-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-09-08. (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 18 894

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