Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R21) | PA 17 011

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 011

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity "Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R21)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-17-011) supports early-stage, exploratory clinical research aimed at helping people preserve and make the most of the functional abilities they already have. The central idea is to develop and test self-management approaches and enabling technologies that improve health and quality of life for individuals who need support to maintain independence, prevent or delay disability, and better navigate daily life and their environments. Rather than focusing only on curing disease, this FOA emphasizes practical, real-world strategies that help people continue functioning, adapt to limitations, and sustain participation in meaningful activities.

Projects under this announcement are expected to focus on maintenance or restorative care that can be personalized to an individual s current abilities, needs, and interests. The interventions can target physical, sensory, motor, and mental capabilities, with an emphasis on helping people maintain function over time. A key theme is tailoring: the research should account for where a person is starting from, what they can reasonably do, and what kinds of supports (training, tools, routines, feedback systems, or assistive technologies) can help them sustain or optimize function in everyday settings. The FOA is also oriented toward practical self-management, meaning strategies that individuals can use themselves, often with guidance, coaching, or technology-assisted support, rather than relying exclusively on clinician-delivered care.

NIH highlights particular interest in studies designed to maintain functional capabilities for people living with conditions that commonly threaten independence and day-to-day functioning. Examples specifically named include cardiac and respiratory insufficiency, movement impairment associated with arthritis, chronic back pain, stroke, and a broader set of physical or cognitive disabilities. In practice, this points to research that could help people manage symptoms, fatigue, mobility limitations, pain, endurance, cognition, or other barriers that interfere with daily activities. The goal is not only symptom control, but also the preservation of abilities and roles that matter to the person, such as walking safely, performing self-care, communicating, returning to valued activities, or managing routines that support health.

This opportunity uses the NIH R21 mechanism, which is typically meant for exploratory and developmental work, including early testing of new concepts, proof-of-principle studies, or pilot clinical research that can lead to larger, confirmatory trials later. The listed award ceiling is 200,000 dollars. The FOA is categorized as a discretionary grant within education and health-related activity areas, and it is associated with CFDA numbers 93.173 and 93.361. The original closing date shown in the source information is 2018-01-24, and the FOA record indicates a creation date of 2016-10-18, which is useful context for understanding the time frame of the announcement as provided.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), 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). Taken together, this broad eligibility suggests NIH is encouraging diverse institutional participation and community-connected research capacity, including work that can be relevant across different populations and settings.

Overall, this FOA is best understood as support for clinically grounded innovation in self-management and supportive technologies that help people sustain function and quality of life in the face of chronic conditions or disability. Strong applications would align with the emphasis on maintaining existing capabilities, preventing or delaying disability progression, and improving how individuals manage daily health and functioning, ideally through tailored, user-centered strategies that can be used in real life beyond the clinic.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Self-Management Interventions and Technologies to Sustain Health and Optimize Functional Capabilities (R21)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.173, 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-10-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (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.

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