Mental Health Research Grants (93.242)
Program
93.242 Mental Health Research Grants
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: National Institutes of Health
Authorization
Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 2000; Public Health Service Act, Title III, Section 301, 42 U.S.C 241.
Program Number
93.242
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To increase knowledge of basic brain and behavioral processes that underlie mental and behavioral disorders; to support epidemiological studies of biological and environmental risk factors; to translate basic and epidemiological research into the development of new diagnostics and interventions for preventing and treating mental disorders; to conduct clinical trials for testing the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions in controlled and real-world settings; and to conduct research to improve mental health service delivery and use. Research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health may employ theoretical, laboratory, clinical, epidemiological, and field studies. Studies may involve individuals with a mental disorder diagnosis, individuals with symptom levels that do not meet diagnostic thresholds, and healthy individuals of all ages. Research also may involve animal, computational, and mathematical models appropriate to the system being investigated and the state of the field. Areas eligible for research support are: basic and clinical neuroscience; genetics; geriatrics research; adult psychopathology; experimental therapeutics; developmental, behavioral, clinical, and epidemiological research relevant to mental disorders, behavioral disorders, and HIV/AIDS, in terms of the causes, prevention, treatment, and service delivery; basic (brain and behavior), clinical, and services research on the mental health problems of women, minorities, and rural populations; and research designed to eliminate mental health disparities.
Types of Assistance
Cooperative Agreements; Project Grants
Uses and Use Restrictions
(1) Research project grants provide support for clearly defined projects by a named investigator in an area representing his/her specific interests and competencies. (2) Exploratory/Development and Clinical Exploratory/Developmental Grants encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas; (3) Small Research Grants provide research support specifically limited in time and amount for studies in categorical program areas; (4) Collaborative Clinical Research Grants support evaluations of various methods of therapy and/or prevention; (5) Program Project and Center grants support large-scale, broad-based programs of research, usually interdisciplinary, consisting of several projects with a common focus; and (6) Cooperative Agreements support single or a group of related research activities with greater involvement of federal staff. Standard small grants are limited to $50,000 direct costs for a period of 2 years or less, while other small grants are for less time and funds. SBIR and STTR grants are awarded in two stages: Phase I grants are awarded to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research and development effort; only Phase I awardees are eligible to receive Phase II support.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Public, private, profit, or nonprofit agencies (including State and local government agencies), eligible Federal agencies, universities, colleges, hospitals, and academic or research institutions may apply for research grants. SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses, and STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. For further definitions, requirements, and restrictions see the SBIR and STTR Omnibus Solicitations of the NIH, CDC, and FDA for SBIR and STTR Grant Applications.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Public, private, profit, or nonprofit organizations.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. For-profit organizations' costs will be determined in accordance with 48 CFR, Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. For all other grantees, costs will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulations 45 CFR, Part 74, Subpart Q. For SBIR and STTR grants, applicant organization (small business concern) must present in a research plan an idea that has potential for commercialization and furnish evidence that scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan. Instructions for electronic submission may be found with the federal SF424 (R&R) form packages that are found in the SBIR/STTR funding opportunity announcements. Instructions are provided for SBIR Phase I and Phase II awards, respectively; as well as for STTR Phase I and Phase II awards, respectively. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Most applications must be prepared and submitted electronically. Most applicants use the SF 424 (Research & Related) for electronic submission. Information about the SF 424 form may be found on http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/424/index.htm, but application packages should be accessed through the appropriate funding opportunity announcement, found either on the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts (http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html) or through the Grants.gov website (http://www.grants.gov/). Some institutions may submit the grant data directly (using what is called a system-to-system transfer). For further details, see grants.gov or eRA Commons. Application forms for SBIR and STTR grants may be obtained through the SBIR/STTR funding announcements posted on the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts and the Grants.gov sites (see URLs listed above). All SBIR and STTR applications must be submitted electronically. The timeline for transition to electronic applications and the new forms may be found at: http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435-0714, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. Applications for the Resource-related Research Projects (R24) and Cooperative Agremment applications ("U" applications) must be prepared using the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (Revised 11/2007). The PHS 398 is available at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Consultation on a proposed project may be obtained from the NIMH branch or office responsible for the research area of interest. Applications are reviewed by principally nonfederal consultants recruited nationwide from the mental health field. The amounts of the award and period of support are determined on the basis of merit of the project and the nature of the grant mechanism. Electronic applications are submitted through the Grants.gov website. Completed PHS 398 applications should be submitted to the National Institutes of Health, Center for Scientific Review, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040 - MSC 7710, Bethesda, MD 20892-7710 or Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service). This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR, Part 92 for State and local governments, OMB Circular No. A-110 for nonprofit organizations, cost principles of A-21 for educational institutions, and 42 CFR, Part 42.
Award Procedure
All applications for research grants, cooperative agreements, SBIR and STTR grants are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and by the National Advisory Mental Health Council (excepting Small Grants). All competitive applications compete for available funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit, program relevance, and program balance. All SBIR and STTR applications receiving a priority score compete for set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
> 180 Days. Applications: From 240 to 270 days from submission of application. SBIR/STTR applications: About 7- 1/2 months; Mental Health Education Programs and Various/Small Grants: From 5 to 6 months. AIDS-related research is determined in 180 days.
Appeals
A principal investigator may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with the staff of the Institute. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH homepage http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not97-232.html.
Renewals
Support is recommended for a specified project period, not in excess of 5 years. Prior to termination of a project period, the grantee may apply for renewal of support for a new project period. An application for renewal is processed as a new competing request. Small grants, exploratory, and dissertation grants are for 1-3 years (depending on program) and are not renewable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies, with a project periods ranging from 1 to 5 years. Funding commitments are made annually. SBIR: Generally, Phase I awards are for 6 months, and Phase II awards are for 2 years. STTR: Generally, Phase I awards are for 1 year and Phase II awards are for 2 years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Reports must be submitted as follows: (1) Interim progress reports annually as part of a non-competing application for previously recommended support; (2) terminal progress report within 90 days after end of project support;. (3) annual financial status report within 90 days after termination of annual grant for some programs. In addition, immediate and full reporting of any inventions is required. No performance monitoring is required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in its fiscal year in Federal awards shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of this circular. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials. Per the regulations, a for-profit (commercial) organization is subject to audit requirements for a non-Federal audit if, during its fiscal year, it expended $500,000 or more under HHS awards and at least one award is a HHS grant. For-profit organizations have two options regarding the type of audit that will satisfy the audit requirements either: (1) a financial related audit (as defined in the Government Auditing Standards, GPO Stock #020-000-00-265-4, http://www.gao.gov/govaud/ybk01.htm) of the HHS awards in accordance with Government Auditing Standards, or (2) an audit that meets the requirements contained in OMB Circular No. A-133(http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/circulars/a133/a133.html).
Records
Records must be retained at least 3 years; records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if audit findings have not been resolved.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: In fiscal year 2008 NIMH made 87 SBIR/STTR awards totaling $27,888,025. NIMH funded 2,485 grants in fiscal year 2008. Fiscal Year 2009: An estimated 2,395 grants will be funded in fiscal year 2009. Fiscal Year 2010: An estimated 2,319 grants will be funded in fiscal year 2010.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0892-0-1-552.
Obligations
(Salaries) FY 08 $1,000,645,629; FY 09 est $1,022,890,030; FY 10 est $1,040,636,288
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$20,850 to $3,355,576; $402,674.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
42 CFR 52. NIH Grant Policy Statement (Revised 12/2003). Grants will be available under the authority if and administered in accordance with the PHS Grants Policy Statement and federal regulations at 42 CFR 52 and 42 U.S.C. 241; Omnibus Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Applications; and Omnibus Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications.
Related Programs
93.281 Mental Health Research Career/Scientist Development Awards; 93.282 Mental Health National Research Service Awards for Research Training
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Jean G. Noronha, National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive Blvd, Room 6147, MSC 9609 Rockville, MD 20852 (for Express mail), (301) 443-3367, Fax: :(301) 443-4720 jnoronha@mail.nih.gov, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9609 Email: jnoronha@mail.nih.gov Phone: (301) 443-3367. Fax: (301) 443-4720
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: (1) Basic and clinical neuroscience approaches to normal and disordered behavior; (2) genetic studies of psychiatric disorders; (3) neural bases of major psychiatric disorders; (4) genomic control of CNS development; (5) basic behavioral studies of cognition, emotion, and social behaviors; (6) epidemiological studies of risk and protective factors; (7) prevention of high-risk AIDS behaviors; (8) treatment studies of mental disorders; and (9) mental health services research for the seriously mentally ill. Fiscal Year 2009: See description for fiscal year 2008. Fiscal Year 2010: No current data available.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The following consideration will be used in determining projects to be funded: (1) Technical merit of the proposed project as determined by peer review; (2) Availability of funds; and (3) Relevance to program priorities.
