Tobacco Regulatory Science (R21) | RFA OD 17 014

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OD 17 014

The Tobacco Regulatory Science (R21) funding opportunity (RFA-OD-17-014) is a discretionary NIH grant program designed to support short, exploratory research projects that generate scientific evidence directly useful for regulating tobacco products in ways that protect public health. The central aim is not basic tobacco research in the abstract, but studies that produce data the FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) can use when making or refining regulatory decisions about how tobacco products are made, marketed, distributed, and used. In practice, that means proposed projects should be tightly aligned with FDA CTP regulatory priorities and should clearly explain how the expected results could inform policy or oversight under the FDA's tobacco authority.

The program supports both biomedical and behavioral research. Biomedical work might focus on questions such as product constituents, exposure, toxicology, addiction biology, biomarkers, or other mechanisms that help determine health risks tied to specific product characteristics. Behavioral research might examine patterns of use, dependence, initiation and cessation, consumer perceptions, the impact of labeling or marketing, or population-level effects that influence overall public health outcomes. Regardless of the approach, the expected deliverable is actionable evidence: findings, datasets, or methods that can improve the FDA's ability to evaluate tobacco products and the consequences of regulatory actions.

Funding is administered by NIH, but the money comes through FDA CTP under the authority of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Public Law 111-31). This structure matters because it signals that projects are expected to connect to tobacco product regulation rather than broader nicotine or substance use topics unless they clearly intersect with FDA tobacco regulatory responsibilities. The activity category is Health (CFDA 93.077), and the award mechanism is an R21, which is commonly used for early-stage, high-impact, or proof-of-concept projects that can be completed within a limited budget and timeframe.

The listed award ceiling is $200,000, reflecting the small, targeted nature of R21 funding. The original closing date provided for this announcement was November 20, 2017, and the opportunity was created on July 20, 2017. While the summary information does not specify the number of expected awards, the intent is to fund a set of projects that collectively advance FDA-relevant tobacco regulatory science.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can contribute meaningful regulatory science evidence. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); tribal organizations and other tribal governments that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible entities such as 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, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. (foreign) organizations. This inclusive eligibility reflects the public health scope of tobacco regulation and the value of research capacity across many sectors and communities.

In short, this FOA funds focused, exploratory tobacco regulatory science projects that produce FDA-relevant evidence, with NIH serving as the awarding body and FDA CTP providing funds under the Tobacco Control Act. Competitive applications would be expected to demonstrate a clear line of sight from the proposed research to specific regulatory questions about tobacco products and to produce results that can realistically inform FDA decision-making aimed at protecting public health.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tobacco Regulatory Science (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.077.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-07-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-11-20. (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 $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 RFA OD 17 014

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