Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NS 20 016
This grant opportunity, titled "Biological Measures for Prognosing and Monitoring of Persistent Concussive Symptoms in Early and Middle Adolescents: Center Without Walls (PCS-EMA CWOW) (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)," is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement (U54) administered under the Department of Health and Human Services. The program is focused on early and middle adolescents ages 11 to 17 who have experienced concussion and/or repetitive head impacts and who either already show prolonged symptoms or may be at risk of developing persistent concussive symptoms. The core aim is to move beyond symptom checklists alone by developing and validating objective biological measures that can help clinicians assess injury impact, predict who is likely to have prolonged recovery, and monitor recovery trajectories over time.
A central emphasis of the FOA is the discovery and rigorous evaluation of biological measures, meaning potential biomarkers or objective indicators drawn from domains such as biospecimens (for example, blood-based markers), neuroimaging, and physiological measures. The announcement specifically calls for efforts that do more than identify possible signals: applicants are expected to characterize how sensitive and selective these measures are (in practical terms, how well they detect meaningful concussion-related pathology and how well they distinguish persistent concussive symptoms from other conditions or normal variation). In addition, the FOA highlights the importance of external validation, indicating that proposed measures should be tested for generalizability beyond the original development setting so that they have a credible path toward real-world clinical utility.
Another key deliverable expected from funded work is the integration of these biological measures into risk stratification algorithms. The intent is to combine biomarker information with clinical, imaging, and physiological data to create tools that can sort patients into clinically meaningful risk categories. These algorithms are meant to support clinical decision-making (such as identifying adolescents who may need closer follow-up, more intensive management, or tailored recovery plans) and to help define subgroups for future clinical trials, improving the ability to match interventions to the patients most likely to benefit. While the funding mechanism is research-oriented, the program is clearly framed around producing outputs that can be translated into improved clinical care and better-designed future studies.
The initiative is structured as a "Center Without Walls," which typically signals a collaborative, multi-site, and highly coordinated research model rather than a single-lab effort. Consistent with that model, the FOA makes broad data sharing a critical feature rather than an optional add-on. Awardees are expected to share clinical data, neuroimaging data, physiological data, and biospecimen-related data widely to accelerate progress across the field. This emphasis reflects the need for large, harmonized datasets in concussion research, especially when studying persistent symptoms in adolescents where variability in development, activity exposure, and recovery can be substantial.
Administrative details in the source information indicate this is a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA NS 20 016) with an award ceiling of $2,000,000 and an expectation of one award. The activity category is health research (CFDA 93.853). The FOA was created on February 10, 2020, with an original closing date of June 26, 2020. It is designated "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," meaning proposed projects should not be designed as clinical trials as defined by NIH, even though they may involve human participants, observational study designs, prospective monitoring, and the collection of biological and imaging data to develop and validate prognostic or monitoring measures.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that could contribute to a multidisciplinary adolescent concussion research program. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as described in the FOA’s additional eligibility guidance. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at building a coordinated research effort capable of generating validated, shareable, clinically relevant biological measures and algorithms for predicting and tracking persistent concussive symptoms in adolescents exposed to concussion and repetitive head impacts.Apply for RFA NS 20 016
- The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biological Measures for Prognosing and Monitoring of Persistent Concussive Symptoms in Early and Middle Adolescents: Center Without Walls (PCS-EMA CWOW) (U54 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): 93.853.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 10, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 26, 2020. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: SRBA Tribal CoManagement for Dworshak NFH
Previous opportunity: USDA-FNS-FDD-FDPNE-FY20
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA NS 20 016
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA NS 20 016) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Telehealth Network Grant Program Apply for HRSA 20 036 Funding Number: HRSA 20 036 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Telehealth Focused Rural Health Research Center Program Apply for HRSA 20 023 Funding Number: HRSA 20 023 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Optimally Change the Map of Teen Pregnancy through Replication of Programs Proven Effective (Optimally Changing the Map for Teen Pregnancy Prevention – Tier 1) Apply for AH TP1 20 001 Funding Number: AH TP1 20 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY2020 Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Tier 2, Phase II Rigorous Evaluation of Promising Interventions Apply for AH TP2 20 001 Funding Number: AH TP2 20 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Tier 2 Innovation and Impact Network Grants: Achieving Optimal Health and Preventing Teen Pregnancy in Key Priority Areas Apply for AH TP2 20 002 Funding Number: AH TP2 20 002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project Apply for HRSA 20 099 Funding Number: HRSA 20 099 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Strengthening Ministry of Health's Capacity (MOH-Cap) for HIV Diagnosis, Treatment, and Monitoring in the Kingdom of Lesotho under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH20 2046 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH20 2046 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program-New Apply for CDC RFA CE20 2002 Funding Number: CDC RFA CE20 2002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - NCIPC Category: Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program – Competing Continuation Apply for CDC RFA CE20 2003 Funding Number: CDC RFA CE20 2003 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - NCIPC Category: Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant– 2020 Apply for CDC RFA OT20 2002 Funding Number: CDC RFA OT20 2002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - OSTLTS Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PPW-PLT Apply for TI 20 010 Funding Number: TI 20 010 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Strengthen the Capacity of Republican Narcology Center of Kyrgyzstan on Practical Applications of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Programs under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH20 2127 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH20 2127 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Acceleration towards Epidemic Control of Comprehensive HIV, TB and Related Infections including Prevention, Treatment and Retention of Prisoners and Staff of Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPF Apply for CDC RFA GH20 2067 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH20 2067 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Grants to Prevent Firearm-Related Violence and Injuries (R01) Apply for RFA CE 20 006 Funding Number: RFA CE 20 006 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA Category: Health Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Minority Research Grant Program Apply for CMS 1W1 20 001 Funding Number: CMS 1W1 20 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategic Support, Advanced Health Care Worker Training, and Operationalization of a Local Laboratory External Quality Assurance System in Malawi under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEP Apply for CDC RFA GH20 2047 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH20 2047 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Establishment of a Strategic Partnership to Strengthen the Council of Ministries of Health of Central America (COMISCA) in Central America (CA) and the Dominican Republic (DR) under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH20 2012 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH20 2012 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improving Quality of Care and Health Impact through Innovative Systems and Technologies in Malawi under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH20 2081 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH20 2081 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Childhood Agricultural Injury Apply for RFA OH 20 007 Funding Number: RFA OH 20 007 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Planning Projects for Clinical Trials on Effects of Sustained Reductions in Caloric Intake and Related Dietary Practices in Younger and Older Persons (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AG 21 016 Funding Number: RFA AG 21 016 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA NS 20 016", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.