Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 611

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 611

This National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity, titled "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Research (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-18-611), supports early-stage, exploratory research focused on electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and related products. The central aim is to build practical, prevention-relevant evidence about how ENDS are used, who uses them, why they start or continue, and how that use affects health and broader tobacco-use patterns. The opportunity is geared toward studies that can strengthen population health approaches, inform clinical understanding, and improve applied prevention strategies, especially across diverse groups and settings.

The research scope is broad but clearly oriented toward real-world public health and prevention questions. Supported projects may look at the etiology of ENDS use (the factors and pathways that lead to initiation and sustained use), the epidemiology of ENDS use (patterns, trends, and disparities across age groups, communities, and risk profiles), and the potential risks, benefits, and downstream impacts of ENDS on disease prevention and tobacco control. A key emphasis is understanding how ENDS use interacts with other tobacco behaviors, such as whether ENDS contributes to initiation of combustible tobacco use, dual use (ENDS plus cigarettes), transitions away from combustible products, relapse among former smokers, or changes in nicotine dependence patterns. The announcement also highlights the importance of studying these questions among different populations, which includes attention to variation by age, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, geography, and other factors that shape exposure, access, marketing influence, and health vulnerability.

The mechanism is an NIH R21, which is typically intended for exploratory or developmental work, pilot testing, and early hypothesis-building projects rather than large, multi-year definitive trials. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, meaning applicants can propose either clinical trial or non-clinical-trial studies as long as the work fits the prevention and public health focus described. The listed award ceiling is $200,000, indicating the maximum amount that can be requested under the opportunity as presented in the source data. The original closing date shown is June 29, 2018, and the opportunity was created January 31, 2018, which is relevant for historical context if someone is using this as a reference point for later or related NIH announcements.

Eligibility is relatively expansive and includes a wide range of U.S.-based 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; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education when specified in the standard NIH categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations that meet NIH eligibility rules. The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible agencies of the federal government; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized entities.

At the same time, the opportunity places strict limits on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) institutions are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. In practical terms, this means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and the project work cannot be structured around foreign components that NIH would categorize as foreign participation under its policy definitions.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant and falls under the broad activity area of education and health. The source data lists CFDA numbers 93.121, 93.279, 93.307, and 93.399, reflecting the federal assistance program areas associated with NIH funding streams relevant to this research topic. Overall, the announcement is best read as an NIH effort to accelerate prevention-relevant evidence on ENDS by funding focused, exploratory projects that can clarify usage drivers, population impacts, health risks and possible benefits, and the way ENDS use influences the broader landscape of tobacco and nicotine behaviors.

• 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 2018-01-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-06-29. (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 18 611

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