Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 25 241

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 25 241

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications under PAR 25-241, "Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)," to support short, exploratory policy research projects that look at how new or adapted U.S. policies related to tobacco, alcohol, and/or cannabis affect health equity. The central emphasis is on understanding whether, how, and for whom these policies change patterns of product use and exposure, including secondhand exposure, among populations that experience disproportionate burdens of risk and harm. While the specific policy topics can vary, the intent is to generate practical, policy-relevant evidence that can help reduce inequities tied to cancer prevention by addressing substance use and exposure in communities that have historically been underserved or harmed.

This opportunity is designed for policy research rather than basic science, and it encourages studies that evaluate real-world policies as they are implemented in places like states, counties, cities, tribal jurisdictions, schools, or housing settings. Projects might examine policy adoption, implementation, enforcement, compliance, and unintended consequences, with a clear throughline to equity: applicants are expected to focus on disparate impacts and mechanisms that drive unequal outcomes. Because the funding mechanism is an R21, the program is oriented toward early-stage, innovative, or high-impact pilot work that can quickly test ideas, assemble preliminary evidence, and set up larger future studies. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants may propose clinical trial activities if appropriate, but they are not required to do so.

A defining feature of the announcement is the expectation for authentic engagement with one or more community organizations. NIH is signaling that community partnership is not a cosmetic add-on; funded projects should involve real collaboration with organizations embedded in the populations affected by the policies being studied. The practical goal of this engagement is to improve relevance, trust, feasibility, and impact, while helping ensure that the research questions, methods, interpretation, and dissemination reflect community priorities and lived experience. In the background is a broader cancer prevention mission: tobacco use, alcohol use, and cannabis use or exposure can contribute to cancer risk directly or indirectly, and policy approaches are often among the most scalable levers for population-level prevention.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and 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 (when not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as 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 (AANAPISISs), along with faith-based or community-based organizations, certain eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components are not allowed. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible, consistent with NIH policy restrictions stated in the notice.

Key administrative details included in the listing are that this is a discretionary grant opportunity with NIH as the awarding agency, and the funding activity category is listed under education and health. The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.393, and 93.399. The posted award ceiling is $200,000, and the opportunity has an original closing date of January 7, 2028. Overall, the program is best understood as NIH support for focused, community-engaged policy research that can clarify how tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis policies shape inequities in use and exposure, with the longer-term aim of strengthening cancer prevention and improving health equity in the United States.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tobacco, Alcohol, and Cannabis Policy Research for Health Equity (R21 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, 93.279, 93.307, 93.393, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-07.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 25 241

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