Prevention and Intervention Approaches for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 24 067

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 067

Prevention and Intervention Approaches for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity (PAR-24-067) that supports R34 planning grants aimed at strengthening the pipeline of research on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The grant is designed to fund the early, preparatory work needed to build well-justified, feasible, and methodologically solid prevention or intervention studies before investigators pursue larger-scale clinical or community research projects. The emphasis is on approaches that address FASD across the lifespan, recognizing that both prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and effective supports for individuals living with FASD require strategies that can apply at different developmental stages and in varied real-world settings.

The NOFO prioritizes two broad research directions. First, it encourages prevention approaches that reduce prenatal alcohol exposure and ultimately lower the incidence of FASD. This can include developing or refining strategies to identify risk, engage affected populations, and improve prevention efforts in healthcare, public health, and community environments. Second, it supports intervention research for people with FASD, with the aim of improving outcomes through services, programs, or other supports that can be delivered and evaluated in a rigorous way. Because this is an R34 mechanism, the expected scope is planning and preliminary study work that directly prepares a future, larger application, such as testing feasibility, refining protocols, establishing recruitment and retention strategies, piloting outcome measures, confirming acceptability, and working through operational issues that would otherwise threaten the success of a full-scale trial or broad implementation study.

This opportunity is listed as "clinical trial optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The core expectation is that the work funded under this mechanism functions as a prerequisite step toward a subsequent application for a larger, definitive FASD prevention or intervention study. For applicants who want a phased exploratory-to-expansion pathway, the NOFO explicitly points to an alternative option, the R61/R33 phased mechanism (TEMP-23833), which is often used when investigators want a structured transition from early-stage work to a later-stage study within one linked award structure.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations commonly involved in health research and service delivery. 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; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other qualifying entities. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), reflecting an intent to include a wide range of institutions and communities positioned to conduct meaningful FASD prevention and intervention planning work.

Key administrative details included in the source information are that this is a discretionary grant under the health funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 93.273, and administered by NIH. The opportunity record shows an award ceiling of $450,000. The original closing date listed is January 7, 2027, and the posting/creation date is November 22, 2023. Overall, the grant is best understood as a planning-focused mechanism that funds the groundwork needed to produce a strong, competitive next-step proposal for a larger, more definitive prevention or intervention study addressing FASD.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Prevention and Intervention Approaches for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.273.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-07.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 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.

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