Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

The "Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" grant, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aims to support research on health interventions specifically designed to benefit Native American communities. This funding opportunity is administered in collaboration with multiple NIH Institutes and Centers, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and others. Additional NIH offices such as the Office of Disease Prevention and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research may co-fund applications aligning with their missions. The grant encourages a broad spectrum of intervention-focused research ranging from etiologic studies that inform intervention development, to studies that develop, adapt, or test interventions, and those that address dissemination and implementation strategies. Projects should be grounded in community engagement, cultural appropriateness, and sustainability, leveraging Indigenous Knowledge and community resources to reduce health disparities. Importantly, the definition of Native Americans for this grant includes federally and state-recognized Tribes, Urban Indians, and Native Hawaiian communities, extending inclusivity to descendants of these groups. Applicants must ensure their research aligns with the mission of the participating NIH Institutes or Centers and demonstrate strong community partnerships. Projects should clearly articulate a targeted health issue, involve culturally responsive interventions, and provide strategies for broad applicability and sustainability. All research should be community-engaged and potentially adaptable to other Native communities. Proposals may include individual and community-level interventions and must respect Native conceptions of health which encompass physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness. Applications are expected to include a well-defined theory of change, appropriate justifications for the research approach, and strong community support. Interventions must be practical for the communities involved and designed to be scalable. The grant supports both clinical trials and non-trial interventions, allowing for a range of research methodologies. Applicants are advised to consult NIH’s guidance on Indigenous health research and data management, especially when working with sensitive participant information. Submission requires a range of preparatory registrations (e.g., SAM, eRA Commons), and applications must be compliant with NIH policy guidelines. Required materials include letters of support from community partners and potentially tribal resolutions. The earliest submission date is September 21, 2025, with recurring application cycles through January 8, 2027. Awards are contingent on merit, alignment with NIH goals, and available funding.