Selected Topics in Transfusion Medicine (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 126

FAQs: Selected Topics in Transfusion Medicine (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) - NIH (PAR 18-126)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Selected Topics in Transfusion Medicine (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)," Funding Opportunity Number PAR 18-126. It supports investigator-initiated research in blood banking and transfusion medicine.

What is the overall purpose of this FOA?

The central aim is to strengthen public health by improving both the safety and the availability of the blood supply, while also advancing how transfusion medicine is practiced in clinical settings. The FOA prioritizes practical, evidence-based improvements across the transfusion chain.

What parts of the "transfusion chain" are included?

The FOA describes a broad transfusion chain that can include donor recruitment and retention, donation safety, collection and processing, testing, storage, distribution, product quality, transfusion decision-making, and management of transfusion-related complications.

What types of research projects does this FOA support?

It supports substantial, hypothesis-driven, investigator-initiated research programs in transfusion medicine and blood banking, aimed at generating practical, evidence-based improvements that can impact real-world practice and blood supply systems.

Is this meant for small pilot projects?

The FOA notes that because the mechanism is an R01, it is intended for substantial research programs rather than small pilot efforts.

What grant mechanism is used?

This opportunity uses the NIH R01 grant funding instrument.

Are clinical trials required?

No. Clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the aims of the project, but non-trial approaches (such as mechanistic, observational, or translational studies) are also described as appropriate.

What are the main research emphasis areas highlighted in the FOA?

The FOA emphasizes: protecting and improving blood donor health; improving the safety and availability of blood products; understanding and reducing transfusion-associated adverse events; improving transfusion medicine practice and decision-making; and maintaining an adequate and stable blood supply through better recruitment and retention.

What kinds of donor health topics are encouraged?

The FOA highlights protecting and improving blood donor health, including research on risks donors may face during or after donation, strategies to reduce adverse donor events, and approaches to ensure donation remains safe for diverse donor populations.

Does the FOA focus only on recipients/patients, or also on donors?

It explicitly includes donor-focused research as a major emphasis, alongside research focused on blood products and transfusion outcomes in clinical practice.

What kinds of blood product safety and availability topics are encouraged?

The FOA describes research that can include how blood products are collected, processed, tested, stored, and distributed, as well as innovations that reduce contamination or other product-related risks. The broader objective is reliable access to safe products as demand, donor demographics, and health threats change.

What does the FOA say about transfusion-associated adverse events?

It calls for studies that clarify determinants, mechanisms, and contributing factors behind adverse transfusion outcomes, and for research that identifies how to prevent or minimize those risks in real-world practice.

Are projects on recognition and reporting of transfusion adverse events relevant?

Yes. The FOA notes that relevant work may include improving recognition and reporting of adverse events, refining risk prediction, or evaluating interventions that reduce the incidence or severity of complications.

Does the FOA support research to improve transfusion decision-making?

Yes. It promotes research to improve the practice of transfusion medicine generally, including evidence to guide clinical decision-making, patient blood management approaches, and strategies to optimize when and how transfusions are used.

What does the FOA say about maintaining an adequate blood supply?

Maintaining an adequate and stable blood supply is a priority theme. The FOA notes that sustaining supply depends on recruiting new donors, retaining existing donors, and reducing barriers to repeat donation.

Are donor recruitment and donor retention research topics included?

Yes. The FOA encourages research on enhanced recruitment and retention programs and on minimizing risks associated with the donation process that could discourage future donation.

What kinds of approaches can be used for donor recruitment/retention research?

The FOA suggests this can span behavioral, community-based, systems-level, and operational research to identify what drives donor participation and how to design scalable programs that increase donation without compromising safety.

What funding category and CFDA number are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant in the health funding category, with CFDA 93.839.

Is the award ceiling or the expected number of awards provided?

No. The provided source information does not specify an award ceiling or an expected number of awards, indicating those details are not set in the excerpt or may vary based on NIH institute budgets and application merit.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. It includes state, county, and local 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 other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

Are minority-serving institutions specifically mentioned as eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly included among eligible applicant categories.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicant categories.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The FOA indicates that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible.

Are federal agencies eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible federal agencies are specifically mentioned as eligible applicants.

Why does the FOA allow such broad eligibility?

The FOA frames transfusion safety and blood availability as complex, system-wide challenges that benefit from diverse research perspectives and settings, including academic, clinical, governmental, and community stakeholders.

What are the key dates shown in the provided information?

The FOA record creation date is November 8, 2017. The listed original closing date in the provided source data is January 7, 2020.

Does the provided information indicate whether the closing date has changed or been extended?

No. Only the original closing date is provided in the excerpt, and no updates, extensions, or new due dates are included in the provided information.

What kinds of outcomes does NIH appear to want from funded projects?

Based on the description, NIH is looking for practical, evidence-based improvements that enhance donor safety, improve blood product safety and availability, reduce transfusion-associated adverse events, and strengthen clinical transfusion practices and decision-making.

Is the FOA focused on real-world implementation and practice?

Yes. The FOA repeatedly emphasizes practical and evidence-based improvements, including research that addresses real-world practice in clinical settings and operational realities across the blood supply system.