Studies in Neonatal and Pediatric Resuscitation (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 491

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 491

The NIH funding opportunity "Studies in Neonatal and Pediatric Resuscitation (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (FOA number PA-18-491; CFDA 93.865) is a discretionary grant program designed to spark smaller, focused research projects that can strengthen the scientific evidence behind how newborns and children are resuscitated. Using the R03 mechanism, the FOA is geared toward early-stage or tightly scoped studies that can answer practical questions, generate preliminary data, or test approaches that may later support larger trials or broader implementation work. The overall intent is to move the field toward more evidence-based resuscitation practices that improve both immediate survival and longer-term health outcomes.

The research scope is intentionally broad and welcomes many angles as long as the work clearly relates to neonatal or pediatric resuscitation. Priority areas highlighted in the announcement include fetal-to-neonatal transitional cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology (how the heart and lungs adapt at birth), improving and optimizing individual steps in resuscitation (for example, ventilation strategies, oxygen use, timing and sequencing of interventions, or decision thresholds), and examining how management of the third stage of labor may affect the fetus and newborn during the transition period. The FOA also calls out resuscitation challenges in children with congenital malformations, the potential impact of resuscitation techniques on long-term outcomes (neurodevelopmental, respiratory, cardiovascular, and other trajectories), and post-resuscitation practices (what happens after return of spontaneous circulation or stabilization, including monitoring, supportive care, and follow-up approaches). In short, the program is not limited to the delivery room; it spans the physiology, the intervention itself, and the downstream consequences.

In terms of study types, NIH is signaling flexibility in methods and data sources. Applications may propose epidemiologic studies, including population-level analyses and risk-factor work; animal studies using fetal-neonatal models when appropriate for mechanistic or translational questions; and computer-based or information-technology-based simulations, which can include modeling, device or protocol simulations, decision support concepts, or training-related systems when linked to clinically meaningful endpoints. The FOA also supports clinical observational studies, analyses of existing national or regional datasets, and opportunistic studies, as well as prospective randomized controlled trials when feasible. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation means applicants are not required to include a clinical trial, but they may propose one if it fits the research question and can be done rigorously within the smaller R03 scope.

The anticipated payoff is practical: NIH expects that well-designed projects funded under this FOA will help translate basic and clinical findings into resuscitation guidance that clinicians can actually use, ultimately improving outcomes for newborns and children across a variety of clinical settings. The emphasis on translation into evidence-based practice suggests reviewers will likely look for clear clinical relevance, well-justified endpoints, and a credible path from findings to improved resuscitation protocols or post-resuscitation care.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental units. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city/township, and 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 and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding those that are institutions of higher education where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other categories. The FOA explicitly notes inclusion of mission-driven and capacity-building institution 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 (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, there are clear restrictions on foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. Practically, this means the applicant organization and the proposed performance components must remain within allowable U.S. domestic boundaries, even if the research question has global relevance.

The source data provided for this FOA indicates an award ceiling of $50,000, aligning with the R03 concept of a limited-budget, targeted project. The original closing date listed is 2021-01-07, and the FOA creation date is 2017-12-11, which is useful context for understanding its timeframe and planning, though applicants would typically verify the current status and any reissued versions or active receipt dates through NIH systems before preparing a submission. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a pathway for investigators to test meaningful neonatal and pediatric resuscitation hypotheses using a wide range of methods, with a strong emphasis on generating knowledge that can be translated into improved care and better short- and long-term outcomes.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Studies in Neonatal and Pediatric Resuscitation (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 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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