Biological Basis for how Environmental Exposures Impact Risk for Psychiatric Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The objective of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to solicit applications that propose to better understand the biological basis by which environmental exposures alter brain and behavioral functioning to increase risk for psychiatric disorders with onset in late-childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. Since basic and pre-clinical research is critical for the study of neurobiological mechanisms that drive complex behaviors including mental illness, the focus of this FOA is to encourage a range of mechanistic approaches, from in vitro systems to whole organism models, to examine the link between environmental chemicals and possible contribution to the pathogenesis of psychiatric abnormalities. Investigations that further advance our understanding of the joint contribution of genes and environment in the risk for psychiatric disorders are also welcomed. It is anticipated that knowledge gained from the research supported by this FOA will inform the development of improved intervention, prevention and/or therapeutic strategies. This FOA will use the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism and runs in parallel with the companion FOA, RFA-ES-22-009, which encourages applications under the R21 mechanism.

Other Eligible Applicants include the following: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession.