NINR Areas of Emphasis for Research to Optimize Health and Advance Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 22 230

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NINR PAR-22-230 (R01)

1) What is the purpose of NINR PAR-22-230?

PAR-22-230 is a National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) funding opportunity that invites R01 research grant applications aimed at optimizing health and advancing health equity. The intent is to support independent, investigator-driven projects that generate actionable evidence to improve health outcomes, reduce inequities in health and healthcare, and inform clinical practice, community-based care, and health policy.

2) What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 mechanism. That generally signals an expectation for a well-developed, rigorous research plan with clear aims, strong methods, and the potential for sustained impact.

3) Are clinical trials required under PAR-22-230?

No. Clinical trials are allowed but not required for this opportunity.

4) What kinds of projects are NINR looking for?

NINR is looking for practical, solutions-oriented research addressing major and persistent health challenges. Competitive projects typically go beyond describing problems and instead propose and test strategies, interventions, or approaches that can be translated into real-world practice settings, scaled when appropriate, and used to guide policy decisions.

5) What does “optimizing health” mean in the context of this announcement?

Based on the description provided, “optimizing health” points to research that improves health outcomes in meaningful, actionable ways, with attention to the real-life contexts that shape health over time (including social, structural, environmental, and behavioral factors).

6) How central is health equity to this funding opportunity?

Health equity is a central theme. The opportunity emphasizes producing evidence that improves health outcomes while also addressing inequities in health and healthcare. Applicants are expected to account for real-world contexts and the factors that contribute to unequal health burdens and unequal access to effective care.

7) What framework should proposals align with?

The announcement is built around the scientific framework described in the 2022-2026 NINR Strategic Plan. Applications are expected to align clearly with that strategic plan framework and reflect nursing’s holistic and contextualized understanding of people, health, and healthcare.

8) What makes an application “competitive” according to the description provided?

Competitive applications will generally be those that are solutions-oriented, propose and test actionable approaches, and use innovative and rigorous study designs. Strong proposals will also clearly align with the NINR Strategic Plan (2022-2026), articulate a compelling rationale tied to health optimization and health equity, and demonstrate R01-level methodological rigor.

9) Is this opportunity limited to nursing schools or nursing-only applicants?

The opportunity is described as supporting nursing-relevant research and emphasizing nursing’s holistic perspective, but the listed eligibility categories are broad and include many types of organizations (government, education, nonprofit, and for-profit). The description provided does not limit eligibility to nursing schools only.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based applicants, such as:

• 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), other than institutions of higher education
• For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
• Small businesses

11) Are organizations serving historically underinvested or disproportionately impacted communities encouraged to apply?

Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, 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, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis aligns with the opportunity’s health equity focus.

12) Can non-U.S. (foreign) organizations apply as the main applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply as applicants under the information provided.

13) Can a U.S. organization with a non-U.S. component apply?

Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicants. However, foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. In practical terms, the primary applicant must be an eligible U.S.-based organization, and any foreign activities/collaborations must be allowable, well-justified, and compliant with NIH policy.

14) Does the announcement specify an award ceiling (maximum budget) or the expected number of awards?

No. The provided text does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. This typically means applicants should consult NIH policy, the full funding announcement, and institute guidance for budget expectations and any scope/duration/cost constraints.

15) What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is May 7, 2025.

16) How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as a discretionary grant under NIH within the Education and Health activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.361.

17) What kinds of settings or impacts should the research be able to inform?

The opportunity emphasizes research that can meaningfully inform clinical practice, community-based care, and health policy. Projects should be designed with translation to practice in mind, and where appropriate, should be scalable and useful for guiding policy decisions.

18) Does the opportunity encourage “real-world” and contextualized research designs?

Yes. NINR signals interest in research that accounts for real-world contexts, including social, structural, environmental, and behavioral factors that shape health over time.

19) Is this opportunity focused on describing health problems or testing solutions?

The emphasis is on testing solutions. The description notes that competitive applications generally do more than describe problems; they should propose and test strategies, interventions, or approaches that can be translated into practice and inform decisions in care delivery and policy.

20) What is the overarching goal of PAR-22-230 in one sentence?

To fund rigorous, nursing-relevant R01 research aligned with the 2022-2026 NINR Strategic Plan that produces actionable evidence to optimize health, reduce disparities, and support equitable care across diverse populations and settings.