Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 650

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 650

The Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity, PAR 18-650, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support early-stage, exploratory research on how interactions between people and animals influence health and development. Using the NIH R21 mechanism, the program is geared toward projects that are still building evidence or testing promising ideas, rather than large, definitive trials. Clinical trials are allowed but not required, which means applicants can propose anything from observational and mechanistic studies to pilot intervention work, as long as the approach fits the R21 scope and budget expectations.

The FOA highlights three main research directions. First, it encourages studies that examine how human-animal interactions affect typical and atypical child development and health. This can include work on social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, or physiological outcomes in children, and it can also address developmental conditions or risk contexts where HAI might have measurable effects. Second, it invites evaluation of animal-assisted interventions aimed at children and adults with disabilities or those needing rehabilitative services. In practice, this area covers structured programs where animals are part of therapeutic, educational, or rehabilitation settings, with emphasis on determining whether these interventions meaningfully improve outcomes for participants and under what conditions they work best. Third, it supports research on animals and public health, including the cost effectiveness of involving animals in reducing or preventing disease. This signals interest not only in whether HAI or animal-involved approaches can change health outcomes at the population level, but also whether such approaches make economic sense compared with standard practices.

The award information provided indicates an award ceiling of $200,000. The original closing date listed is 2019-03-30, and the FOA was created on 2018-02-09. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 93.865, and the funding instrument type is a grant within the Health, Income Security and Social Services activity category. While the expected number of awards is not specified in the provided data, the R21 structure generally implies NIH is looking for a portfolio of innovative, smaller-scale projects that can generate key preliminary findings and set the stage for future, larger studies.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and governmental units. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township 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; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories as stated); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly lists additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); eligible federal agencies; faith-based or community-based organizations; Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). Taken together, that eligibility language reflects NIH interest in encouraging a diverse range of institutions and communities to propose research relevant to HAI, including studies that may be culturally specific, community-centered, or conducted in non-U.S. settings.

In plain terms, this FOA funds research that tries to pin down what human-animal interactions actually do for health and development, who benefits, how the effects happen, and whether animal-assisted approaches can be justified in real-world clinical, educational, rehabilitation, or public health environments. The emphasis on intervention evaluation and cost effectiveness also suggests NIH is looking for work that moves beyond anecdotal claims and instead produces measurable, testable evidence that can inform practice and policy.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-02-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-30. (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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