Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 848

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 848

The funding opportunity titled "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-848) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support early-stage, exploratory, or developmental research focused on electronic nicotine delivery systems. Using the NIH R21 mechanism, it emphasizes studies that can quickly generate new evidence, test emerging ideas, or produce foundational data that can later be expanded through larger research projects. The scope is centered on population-based, clinical, and applied prevention research that helps clarify how ENDS use affects disease prevention and public health outcomes.

A central aim of this opportunity is to improve understanding of how and why people use ENDS (etiology of use) and how ENDS use is distributed across different groups and settings (epidemiology of use). Projects supported under this announcement are expected to examine potential health risks as well as potential benefits, recognizing that ENDS can be discussed in multiple contexts such as harm reduction claims, cessation-related behaviors, dual use with combustible tobacco, and initiation among individuals who might not otherwise use nicotine. The announcement also explicitly highlights interest in the broader impacts of ENDS on other tobacco use behaviors, meaning applicants are encouraged to look at how vaping influences cigarette smoking, use of other nicotine products, patterns of switching, relapse, initiation, and sustained dual use across diverse populations.

The "clinical trial optional" designation means an application may propose a clinical trial if it is appropriate for the scientific question, but a clinical trial is not required. This provides flexibility for teams to pursue different study types, including observational population research, applied prevention studies in community or healthcare settings, or clinical and behavioral intervention work when justified. In practice, this could include studies assessing real-world patterns of ENDS uptake, research on prevention strategies to reduce youth initiation, evaluations of communication or policy interventions, assessments of ENDS-related exposures and risk markers, or studies exploring how ENDS messaging and product characteristics shape behavior in different communities. The overall emphasis remains on prevention-oriented outcomes and public health relevance rather than product development.

In terms of funding structure, the award ceiling listed for the opportunity is $200,000, consistent with the smaller, exploratory nature of R21 projects. While the source data does not specify the number of expected awards, it identifies the program as a grant funding instrument within the Education and Health activity categories and references CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.279, 93.307, and 93.399, indicating alignment with multiple NIH program areas that can support tobacco and nicotine research. The original closing date shown in the record is 2021-06-25, and the opportunity record creation date is 2018-06-29, which helps place it within the timeline of NIH efforts to expand research attention on vaping and related public health questions.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly conduct or partner on health research. Eligible applicants listed 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; tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; 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 eligible entities. The opportunity also calls out additional categories of eligible applicants, 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities such as foreign organizations. This wide eligibility is consistent with NIH goals to support diverse institutions and community-connected organizations that can address ENDS issues across different populations and contexts.

Overall, the grant opportunity is aimed at generating actionable, prevention-relevant evidence about ENDS: who uses them, what health risks or benefits may occur, how ENDS use interacts with other tobacco behaviors, and how these patterns differ across populations. By supporting applied and clinically relevant research under an R21 framework, the program is positioned to fund innovative studies that can respond to a rapidly evolving product landscape and inform future prevention efforts, clinical guidance, and public health decision-making.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.279, 93.307, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-06-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-06-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• 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 18 848

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