Secondary Analysis of Existing Datasets in Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Sleep Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 078

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 078

The grant opportunity "Secondary Analysis of Existing Datasets in Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Sleep Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" (Funding Opportunity Number PAR 20 078) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant designed to encourage researchers to get more scientific value out of human datasets that already exist. It is administered in alignment with the mission of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and supports projects that use secondary analysis to pursue fresh, well-defined research questions in heart, lung, and blood diseases, as well as sleep disorders. The main idea is to help investigators test novel hypotheses or explore new conceptual approaches without having to launch expensive and time-consuming new data collection efforts.

A key feature of this program is its focus on well-focused secondary analyses that can lead to meaningful advances in biomedical or biobehavioral research. The FOA is intended for research that goes beyond simply re-running the original analyses; it supports work that is related to the parent dataset but clearly distinct from the original study aims. In practical terms, an applicant might use an existing cohort, clinical registry, or other human dataset to examine new relationships, develop or validate new analytical methods, build models or tools, or evaluate emerging scientific ideas that were not part of the dataset's initial purpose. The emphasis is on novelty and potential impact: projects should be positioned to produce insights or methods that could significantly move the field forward within NHLBI-relevant areas.

Just as important is what the grant will not support. This FOA does not fund the collection of new data, and it is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning the proposed work must not involve conducting a new clinical trial. Instead, the entire project should be grounded in analyzing data that have already been collected, whether those data come from existing database resources, previously funded studies, or other established human datasets. Applicants should be prepared to show that they have legitimate access to the dataset(s) they propose to analyze and that their research plan is feasible using those existing resources.

The award mechanism is an R21, which NIH typically uses to support exploratory or developmental research projects. This mechanism is commonly suited for early-stage or innovative lines of inquiry, pilot-style analyses, and projects where the goal is to establish proof of concept, test a new analytic strategy, or generate strong preliminary findings that could later justify a larger study. The funding opportunity falls under multiple CFDA numbers (93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840), reflecting alignment with several NIH/NHLBI program areas across heart, lung, blood, and sleep research domains. The source information does not list a specific award ceiling or the expected number of awards, suggesting those details may vary by fiscal year and NHLBI priorities.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of domestic applicants such as 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; and Native American tribal governments (federally recognized). It also includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as 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-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility is consistent with the FOA's goal of maximizing the research community's ability to extract new knowledge from existing data resources.

From an applicant standpoint, the central expectations are straightforward: propose a focused, innovative secondary analysis using an existing human dataset; make sure the proposed aims are not simply duplicating the original goals of the dataset; avoid any plan that amounts to collecting new data or running a clinical trial; and demonstrate that the work can yield high-impact results, such as new scientific insights, improved methods, or useful tools relevant to NHLBI mission areas. The opportunity was created on 2019-12-19, and the original closing date listed in the source data is 2022-11-25, though applicants would typically need to confirm current availability or reissues of the FOA through NIH postings.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Secondary Analysis of Existing Datasets in Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Sleep Disorders (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-12-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-11-25. (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.

Apply for PAR 20 078

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