Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 281
The NIH funding opportunity PAR-21-281, titled "Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)," supports research that focuses on how two closely connected individuals affect each other’s health. The central idea is the dyad, defined here as a unit of two individuals whose behaviors, emotions, biology, and decision-making are intertwined, with their mutual influence taking place within broader social environments like families, communities, and social networks. The goal of the program is to improve how science understands, measures, and models both independent effects (how each person’s characteristics shape their own health) and interdependent effects (how one person’s characteristics, stressors, or behaviors shape the other person’s health outcomes). This can include dyads such as romantic partners, parent-child pairs, caregiving pairs, siblings, patient-caregiver relationships, or other two-person social units where reciprocal influence is a meaningful driver of outcomes.
The FOA invites basic research and methodological work. In practice, that means proposals can aim to discover fundamental mechanisms of dyadic interaction that matter for health, or they can develop and refine tools for measuring dyadic processes and analyzing dyadic data. Methodological projects might include new study designs, improved measurement strategies (for example, intensive longitudinal assessments, ecological momentary assessment approaches adapted for pairs, synchronized behavioral/physiological monitoring, or better ways to capture bidirectional influence), and statistical or computational models that more accurately reflect interdependence within dyads. The emphasis is on projects that illuminate biopsychosocial outcomes, which generally means integrating biological, psychological, and social levels of analysis rather than treating them as separate tracks.
A key boundary of this specific announcement is that it is "Clinical Trials Not Allowed." The FOA is designed for studies that do not meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial under this mechanism. It does allow a wide range of non-trial human research, such as observational studies, naturalistic studies, and research using existing datasets or synthesized datasets (for example, pooled analyses or harmonized datasets that allow dyadic questions to be tested). Both animal and human subjects research are considered responsive, which broadens the opportunity to include controlled dyadic paradigms in animal models or translational work that links social interaction processes to biological pathways.
One important nuance is that if an application proposes to prospectively assign human participants to conditions, NIH may consider that work to fall under the clinical trial definition even if the scientific intent is basic research. The FOA explicitly flags this issue and points applicants to NIH guidance (including NOT-OD-19-024) about how basic research experiments with humans can still qualify as clinical trials when participants are assigned to an intervention or condition. For investigators planning basic experimental studies with humans that involve manipulating independent variables, the FOA directs them to consider a companion announcement specifically intended for that type of work (the "R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans" version focused on dyadic interpersonal processes and biopsychosocial outcomes). In other words, this PAR-21-281 pathway is best suited for projects that advance fundamental knowledge and methods without crossing into prospective assignment designs that would be treated as clinical trials.
The mechanism is an NIH R01 research project grant, which is typically used for substantial, multi-year research programs with clear aims, strong rationale, and rigorous plans for measurement and analysis. The funding instrument is a discretionary grant under activity areas spanning education, health, income security, and social services, and it is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.121, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, 93.399, 93.865, 93.866), reflecting participation across NIH institutes and centers and the cross-cutting relevance of dyadic processes to many health domains. The listing indicates the original closing date was 2023-05-07, and the announcement was created on 2021-07-09, which matters for applicants checking whether later reissues, renewals, or active receipt dates apply.
Eligibility is broad and includes many standard applicant types: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including small businesses, and for-profits other than small businesses); and tribal entities, including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant categories that NIH emphasizes for inclusivity and capacity-building, including 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 non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This breadth is consistent with the topic’s relevance to diverse populations and settings and encourages proposals that can address dyadic processes across different cultural, geographic, and institutional contexts.
Overall, PAR-21-281 is aimed at strengthening the science of two-person influence in health by funding rigorous basic and methodological research on dyads, with flexibility to use human observational approaches, secondary data, or animal research, while drawing a clear line against projects that would be classified as clinical trials under NIH rules.Apply for PAR 21 281
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, 93.399, 93.865, 93.866.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-07-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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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FAQs: NIH PAR-21-281 - Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
What is PAR-21-281?
PAR-21-281 is an NIH funding opportunity titled "Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)." It supports research on how two closely connected individuals (a dyad) influence each other’s health and related outcomes.
What does NIH mean by a "dyad" in this opportunity?
In this program, a dyad is a unit of two individuals whose behaviors, emotions, biology, and decision-making are intertwined, such that each person can affect the other. This mutual influence is understood to occur within broader social environments such as families, communities, and social networks.
What kinds of dyads are considered relevant?
The FOA describes dyads broadly and includes examples such as romantic partners, parent-child pairs, caregiving pairs, siblings, patient-caregiver relationships, and other two-person social units where reciprocal influence meaningfully drives outcomes.
What is the main goal of the program?
The goal is to improve scientific understanding, measurement, and modeling of both (1) independent effects (how a person’s characteristics shape their own outcomes) and (2) interdependent effects (how one person’s characteristics, stressors, or behaviors shape the other person’s outcomes) within dyads.
What does "biopsychosocial outcomes" mean in this FOA?
Biopsychosocial outcomes refer to outcomes that integrate biological, psychological, and social levels of analysis. The emphasis is on work that connects these levels rather than treating them as separate tracks.
What types of research does PAR-21-281 invite?
The FOA invites basic research and methodological work. That includes studies aimed at discovering fundamental mechanisms of dyadic interaction relevant to health, as well as projects that develop or refine tools for measuring dyadic processes and analyzing dyadic data.
What are examples of methodological projects that fit this FOA?
Examples mentioned include new study designs and improved measurement strategies such as intensive longitudinal assessments, ecological momentary assessment approaches adapted for pairs, synchronized behavioral and physiological monitoring, and improved ways to capture bidirectional influence. It also includes statistical or computational models that better reflect interdependence within dyads.
Are clinical trials allowed under PAR-21-281?
No. This FOA is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trials Not Allowed" and is designed for studies that do not meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial under this mechanism.
What kinds of human studies are allowed if clinical trials are not allowed?
The FOA indicates that a wide range of non-trial human research is allowed, including observational studies, naturalistic studies, and research using existing datasets or synthesized datasets (such as pooled analyses or harmonized datasets) that can test dyadic questions.
Can I use secondary data or combined datasets for a dyadic study?
Yes. The FOA specifically notes that research using existing datasets or synthesized datasets is allowable, including pooled analyses or harmonized datasets designed to support dyadic analyses.
Are animal studies responsive to this opportunity?
Yes. The FOA states that both animal and human subjects research are considered responsive, which allows controlled dyadic paradigms in animal models and translational work linking social interaction processes to biological pathways.
What is the key design risk that could make a project nonresponsive?
A major risk is proposing to prospectively assign human participants to conditions. NIH may consider that to meet the clinical trial definition, even if the scientific intent is basic research. The FOA flags this issue and points applicants to NIH guidance (including NOT-OD-19-024).
If my human study manipulates an independent variable, does that automatically make it a clinical trial?
Not automatically, but the FOA cautions that basic experimental studies with humans can still qualify as clinical trials if they include prospective assignment to an intervention or condition. Applicants are directed to consider NIH guidance and the companion announcement intended for "R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans" focused on dyadic interpersonal processes.
What is the recommended path if my project is a basic experimental study with humans that assigns participants to conditions?
The FOA indicates that investigators planning basic experimental studies with humans involving manipulation and prospective assignment should consider a companion announcement specifically intended for that type of work (the "R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans" version focused on dyadic interpersonal processes and biopsychosocial outcomes), rather than PAR-21-281.
What funding mechanism is used?
This opportunity uses the NIH R01 research project grant mechanism, which is typically intended for substantial, multi-year research programs with clear aims, strong rationale, and rigorous plans for measurement and analysis.
What is the funding instrument type?
The listing describes the award as a discretionary grant and notes activity areas spanning education, health, income security, and social services.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.121, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.307, 93.313, 93.399, 93.865, and 93.866. This reflects participation across multiple NIH institutes and centers and the broad relevance of dyadic processes.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits); and tribal entities including federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) among eligible applicant categories.
Does the FOA encourage applications from specific institution types?
Yes. It highlights additional eligible categories emphasized for inclusivity and capacity-building, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.
Why does the FOA mention broader social environments like families, communities, and networks?
Because the FOA frames dyadic influence as occurring within wider social contexts, and it encourages work that recognizes how dyad-level processes may be shaped by those environments.
What is the overall scientific emphasis of PAR-21-281?
The emphasis is on strengthening the science of two-person influence in health by supporting rigorous basic and methodological research on dyads, including improved measurement and modeling of interdependence, while avoiding designs that NIH would classify as clinical trials.
When was this FOA created and what closing date is listed?
The listing indicates the announcement was created on 2021-07-09 and shows an original closing date of 2023-05-07. Applicants may need to confirm whether later reissues, renewals, or active receipt dates apply.
What should applicants do if they are unsure whether their study counts as a clinical trial?
The FOA signals that prospective assignment can trigger the NIH clinical trial definition and references NIH guidance (including NOT-OD-19-024). Applicants should use that guidance to evaluate their design and, if applicable, consider the companion "Basic Experimental Studies with Humans" R01 pathway mentioned in the FOA.
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| Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 - Basic Experimental Studies with Humans) Apply for PAR 21 280 Funding Number: PAR 21 280 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PAR 21 349 Funding Number: PAR 21 349 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 21 352 Funding Number: PAR 21 352 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pre-application: Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (X02 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 342 Funding Number: PAR 21 342 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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| HEAL Initiative: National K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Program (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 045 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 045 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health, Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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