Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 502
Advancing the Science of Geriatric Palliative Care (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18 502) designed to expand and strengthen the evidence base for palliative care specifically for older adults. The focus is on generating practical, publishable science that improves the quality of care for geriatric populations facing serious illness, complex symptom burdens, and high-stakes decision-making. Because it uses the NIH R01 mechanism, it is aimed at substantial, well-developed research projects that can meaningfully advance the field, and it allows (but does not require) clinical trials, which gives applicants flexibility to propose either interventional or non-interventional work depending on the research question.
A major feature of this opportunity is its broad view of where geriatric palliative care happens. The FOA explicitly welcomes studies across many real-world settings, including hospitals and specific hospital sites such as specialty medical or surgical wards, intensive care units, and emergency departments. It also extends to post-acute care environments, outpatient clinics and physicians offices, patients homes and other residential settings, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and other healthcare or community locations where older adults receive care. This breadth signals that NIH is interested in evidence that applies across the full continuum of care, including transitions between settings, where older adults often experience fragmentation, burdensome treatments, and communication gaps.
In terms of what kinds of research are encouraged, the FOA supports both prospective, newly collected studies and strong secondary analyses that make use of existing information sources. Applicants may propose analyses of existing datasets, electronic health and medical records, administrative and insurance claims data, or other data sources that can answer meaningful questions about palliative care delivery and outcomes in older adults. NIH also encourages investigators to build on existing resources and infrastructure, such as ongoing cohorts, prior or active intervention studies, research networks, and data or specimen repositories. The intent is to speed progress by reusing high-value data and systems when appropriate, rather than requiring every project to start from scratch.
The announcement is intentionally inclusive about study designs. It allows observational studies that describe needs, patterns of care, disparities, or outcomes in geriatric palliative care. It also permits quasi-experimental approaches that evaluate policy changes, program rollouts, or natural experiments when randomization is not feasible. At the interventional end, it welcomes studies that test palliative care models, workflows, communication strategies, symptom management approaches, care coordination methods, or other interventions aimed at improving outcomes for older adults and their caregivers. Since the FOA is labeled clinical trial optional, applicants can propose trials when appropriate, but they are not forced into a clinical trial framework if the most rigorous approach is observational or quasi-experimental.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that conduct or support health research. Standard 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants to encourage participation from diverse institutional types and communities, including 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 federal agencies, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. Practically, this means projects can be led by academic centers, health systems, community organizations, tribal entities, and other partners positioned to study and improve geriatric palliative care in varied populations and contexts.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under NIH, with activity categories in education and health and associated CFDA numbers listed in the source data (93.213, 93.233, 93.307, 93.361, 93.393, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.866). The original posting date in the source information is 2017-12-15, and the original closing date shown is 2020-09-07. An award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source snippet, which commonly means applicants need to consult the full FOA and NIH institute-specific guidance for budget expectations, project period norms, and any institute-level priorities tied to this announcement.
Overall, the core purpose of this FOA is to stimulate rigorous, impactful research that improves palliative care for older adults wherever they receive care, using the best-fit methods for the question at hand. It places equal value on innovative new prospective work and high-quality analyses of existing data, and it encourages investigators to leverage established cohorts, networks, and repositories to accelerate progress in geriatric palliative care science.Apply for PA 18 502
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing the Science of Geriatric Palliative Care (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): 93.213, 93.233, 93.307, 93.361, 93.393, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-07. (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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Advancing the Science of Geriatric Palliative Care (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" opportunity?
It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grant opportunity that uses the NIH R01 mechanism to support substantial, well-developed projects aimed at expanding and strengthening the evidence base for palliative care specifically for older adults. The Funding Opportunity Number is PA-18-502.
What is the main goal of this NIH funding opportunity?
The goal is to generate practical, publishable science that improves the quality of palliative care for geriatric populations facing serious illness, complex symptom burdens, and high-stakes decision-making. The opportunity emphasizes research that can meaningfully advance the field and improve real-world care.
What does "R01" mean in this context?
R01 refers to an NIH research project grant mechanism intended for substantial and well-developed research projects. In this opportunity, it signals that NIH is seeking projects of meaningful scope that can significantly advance geriatric palliative care science.
What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean for applicants?
"Clinical Trial Optional" means applicants may propose clinical trials when appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. Investigators can propose interventional studies (including trials) or non-interventional work (such as observational or quasi-experimental research) depending on the research question and best-fit methodology.
Who is this funding opportunity intended to help?
The focus is on older adults receiving palliative care, particularly those dealing with serious illness, complex symptoms, and difficult medical decisions. The opportunity also supports research that may consider outcomes relevant to caregivers in the context of geriatric palliative care.
What kinds of care settings are considered relevant for proposed studies?
The FOA takes a broad, real-world view of where geriatric palliative care occurs. It welcomes studies in hospitals (including specialty medical or surgical wards), intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments (EDs), post-acute care environments, outpatient clinics and physicians' offices, patients' homes and other residential settings, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and other healthcare or community locations where older adults receive care.
Does this opportunity support research across transitions of care?
Yes. The broad inclusion of settings across the continuum of care signals interest in evidence that applies to multiple points of care, including transitions between settings where older adults may experience fragmentation, burdensome treatments, and communication gaps.
What types of research approaches are encouraged?
The FOA is inclusive and supports a range of approaches, including prospective studies with newly collected data, high-quality secondary analyses of existing data, observational studies, quasi-experimental designs (for policy changes, program rollouts, or natural experiments), and interventional studies that test palliative care models or strategies.
Are observational studies allowed under this FOA?
Yes. Observational studies are explicitly allowed, including studies that describe needs, patterns of care, disparities, or outcomes in geriatric palliative care.
Are quasi-experimental or natural experiment studies allowed?
Yes. The FOA permits quasi-experimental approaches to evaluate policy changes, program implementation, or natural experiments when randomization is not feasible.
What kinds of interventions could be studied if proposing interventional research?
The FOA welcomes studies testing interventions such as palliative care models, clinical workflows, communication strategies, symptom management approaches, care coordination methods, and other interventions aimed at improving outcomes for older adults and their caregivers.
Does NIH require applicants to collect new data for this grant?
No. The FOA supports both newly collected (prospective) research and strong secondary analyses using existing data sources, depending on what best answers the research question.
What existing data sources can be used for secondary analyses?
Applicants may propose analyses using existing datasets, electronic health and medical records, administrative data, insurance claims data, and other existing information sources that can answer meaningful questions about palliative care delivery and outcomes in older adults.
Does the FOA encourage use of existing research infrastructure?
Yes. NIH encourages investigators to build on existing resources such as ongoing cohorts, prior or active intervention studies, research networks, and data or specimen repositories to accelerate progress rather than starting from scratch when reuse is appropriate.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that conduct or support health research, including 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 that are not federally recognized; 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 entities.
Are organizations like HBCUs, HSIs, and Tribal colleges specifically encouraged or eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants to encourage participation from diverse institutions and communities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Can faith-based or community-based organizations apply?
Yes. Faith-based and community-based organizations are explicitly listed among the additional eligible applicants.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply?
Yes. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are explicitly included among the additional eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among the additional eligible applicants.
What government agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered through the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is PA-18-502.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant under NIH.
What activity categories are associated with this grant opportunity?
The activity categories listed in the provided information are education and health.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA numbers listed in the provided information are 93.213, 93.233, 93.307, 93.361, 93.393, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840, and 93.866.
When was this opportunity originally posted?
The original posting date shown in the provided source information is 2017-12-15.
What is the original closing date shown in the provided information?
The original closing date shown is 2020-09-07.
Does the provided information specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards?
No. The provided snippet does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. This commonly means applicants should consult the full FOA and any NIH institute-specific guidance for budget expectations, typical project periods, and related priorities.
What is NIH looking for in terms of impact and outputs?
The opportunity emphasizes rigorous, impactful work that improves geriatric palliative care in real-world settings, with an explicit focus on producing practical and publishable science that strengthens the evidence base and can improve quality of care.
Is this FOA limited to hospital-based palliative care research?
No. While hospitals and specific hospital sites (such as ICUs and emergency departments) are included, the FOA also welcomes research in outpatient, home, residential, assisted living, nursing home, hospice, post-acute, and other community or healthcare settings.
Does the FOA support research that examines disparities in geriatric palliative care?
Yes. The FOA allows observational studies that can describe needs, patterns of care, disparities, and outcomes in geriatric palliative care.
Can a project focus on care delivery and decision-making rather than a specific medication or procedure?
Yes. The FOA welcomes studies on models of care, workflows, communication strategies, care coordination, and other approaches intended to improve outcomes for older adults facing serious illness and complex decisions.
What is the overall theme of the FOA in plain terms?
The overall theme is to stimulate high-quality research that improves palliative care for older adults wherever they receive care, using the most appropriate study design for the question (from secondary data analysis to trials), and encouraging the use of existing cohorts, networks, and repositories to speed progress.
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Previous opportunity: End-of-Life and Palliative Care Health Literacy: Improving Outcomes in Serious, Advanced Illness (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
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