Palliative Care in Home and Community Settings (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 19 320

FAQs: NIH PAR-19-320 - Palliative Care in Home and Community Settings (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

What is the NIH funding opportunity PAR-19-320?

PAR-19-320 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Palliative Care in Home and Community Settings (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)." It supports exploratory research to improve how palliative care is integrated and delivered in home and community environments rather than in hospitals or inpatient facilities.

What is the main goal of this opportunity?

The core goal is to stimulate early-stage, innovative research that identifies patient, caregiver, and system needs and develops or tests best practices for delivering palliative care outside traditional institutional settings. A central focus is improving access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care for people with serious, advanced illness who do not need hospitalization but are not yet eligible for, appropriate for, or choosing hospice services.

How does this opportunity define "home and community settings"?

In this announcement, "home and community" is defined broadly as an individual's residence or living setting, rather than hospitals or inpatient facilities. The emphasis is on where people live and receive day-to-day support.

Who is the target population for the research supported by PAR-19-320?

The opportunity focuses on people with serious, advanced illness who may benefit from palliative care in the places they live. It particularly highlights individuals who do not require hospitalization but are also not eligible for, appropriate for, or choosing hospice services.

What grant mechanism does PAR-19-320 use?

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is commonly used for exploratory, early-stage research. R21 projects are typically designed for pilot studies or proof-of-concept work that can generate preliminary data, refine interventions, and establish feasibility for larger future studies.

Are clinical trials required under this funding opportunity?

No. Clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose either non-trial research (for example, needs assessments, implementation research, care model development, or observational studies) or a clinical trial when appropriate, as long as the project aligns with NIH definitions and requirements.

What kinds of research activities fit this announcement?

Based on the description, responsive projects would generally focus on practical challenges and solutions for integrating palliative care into home and community settings. Examples mentioned include identifying patient, caregiver, and system needs; developing or testing best practices; and addressing real-world delivery issues such as care coordination, symptom management, caregiver support, access barriers, equity across populations, and implementation strategies that can be scaled or adapted across different community contexts.

What is the maximum funding amount listed for this R21 opportunity?

The listing includes an award ceiling of $200,000, consistent with the common R21 direct cost limit.

What program area and CFDA number are associated with this opportunity?

The program is categorized under Education and Health, and the CFDA number provided is 93.361.

What was the closing date shown for PAR-19-320?

The original closing date shown is September 7, 2022. This indicates the specific listing reflects a past deadline, although similar NIH opportunities may reappear or there may be related active announcements.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and governments. Eligible applicants listed include public entities (state, county, city, township, and special district governments), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized. Higher education institutions (public/state-controlled and private) are eligible, as are nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), certain for-profit entities (other than small businesses), small businesses, and public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities.

Are higher education institutions eligible applicants?

Yes. Eligible higher education applicants include public and state-controlled institutions and private institutions.

Can nonprofit organizations apply if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status.

Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The information provided states that certain for-profit entities (other than small businesses) and small businesses can apply.

Can local or state governments apply?

Yes. Public entities such as state, county, city, township, and special district governments are listed as eligible applicants.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible. Tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are also listed as eligible.

Why are public housing authorities listed as eligible applicants?

Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among eligible applicants, reflecting the home- and community-based emphasis of the research and the focus on care delivery where people live.

Which additional applicant categories does NIH explicitly welcome?

NIH highlights that additional categories are explicitly welcomed, 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, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are among the categories explicitly welcomed.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply as the applicant?

No. The notice clarifies that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

Can a U.S. organization apply if the project is run through a non-U.S. component of the organization?

No. The notice states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.

Are any international collaborations allowed under this opportunity?

Yes, in a limited way. While foreign institutions cannot apply as the applicant organization, "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are allowed. This means U.S. applicants may include certain international elements or collaborations when justified and compliant with NIH policy.

What is the overall problem this opportunity is trying to address?

PAR-19-320 is aimed at improving real-world palliative care delivery in the settings where patients spend most of their time. It emphasizes strengthening access and quality for people with serious illness who may be underserved by hospital-focused models and who do not fit hospice pathways for eligibility or personal preference.

What kinds of outcomes or impacts are implied by the announcement?

Based on the stated goals, projects are expected to contribute to stronger access to high-quality palliative and end-of-life care in home and community settings by identifying needs and developing or testing practical best practices for care delivery outside hospitals and inpatient facilities.