Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 18 649

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity?

This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant opportunity (FOA: PAR-18-649) that supports small, focused research projects on how interactions between humans and animals affect health and development.

What grant mechanism does this program use?

The opportunity uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is typically intended for small projects such as pilot studies, feasibility studies, secondary data analyses, instrument development, and other early-stage work that can produce preliminary data and support future, larger studies.

Are clinical trials required under this FOA?

No. Clinical trials are allowed but not required. Applicants may propose observational or basic behavioral studies, or intervention-based studies, as long as the proposed work fits the FOA scope and meets NIH requirements.

What kinds of projects are a good fit for an NIH R03 in this program?

Projects that are small in scope and tightly focused are a good fit, including pilot or feasibility work, secondary analyses, and instrument development. The FOA is designed to help generate preliminary evidence and set the stage for larger future research efforts in human-animal interaction (HAI).

What are the main research themes supported by this FOA?

The FOA emphasizes three broad themes: (1) effects of human-animal interactions on child development and health, (2) evaluation of animal-assisted interventions for people with disabilities or rehabilitative needs, and (3) animals and public health, including prevention or disease-reduction strategies and whether such approaches are effective and cost-effective.

What does the FOA mean by research on child development and health?

This theme includes studies examining how human-animal interactions relate to child health and development across typical and atypical trajectories. Examples of areas mentioned include social-emotional development, stress regulation, attachment, behavioral outcomes, developmental disorders, and how animals in a child's environment may relate to wellbeing over time.

What does the FOA cover under animal-assisted interventions?

The FOA supports evaluation of interventions where animals are incorporated into therapy or rehabilitation settings for children or adults who have disabilities or who need rehabilitative services. The emphasis is on careful measurement of outcomes such as functional outcomes, mental health impacts, participation, and quality of life.

What is included in the "animals and public health" theme?

This theme includes research on whether involving animals in prevention or disease-reduction strategies is effective, and whether those strategies are cost-effective. The FOA signals interest in both outcomes and the value of an HAI approach compared with standard approaches, especially in real-world service or community contexts.

Is cost-effectiveness part of what NIH is looking for in this FOA?

Yes, for projects that fall under the public health theme, the FOA explicitly highlights interest in whether animal-involved strategies are cost-effective. This points to an interest not only in whether an approach works, but whether it delivers measurable value relative to standard approaches.

What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?

The award ceiling listed is $50,000, reflecting the smaller scale typical of the R03 mechanism.

When was this FOA posted, and what was the closing date listed?

The posting (creation) date listed is February 9, 2018. The original closing date provided is March 30, 2019. These dates indicate the announcement was time-bounded for that cycle, while the summary describes the program intent and scope under this FOA number.

Who is eligible to apply for this NIH HAI R03 opportunity?

The FOA lists a wide range of eligible applicants, including government entities, academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, small businesses, tribal entities, and additional categories described in the announcement.

Which government entities are eligible applicants?

Eligible government applicants include state, county, and local governments; independent school districts; special district governments; public housing authorities; and federally recognized tribal governments. Regional organizations and eligible federal agencies are also listed among eligible categories.

Are colleges and universities eligible, including minority-serving institutions?

Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education are eligible, and the FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Can nonprofits apply, including organizations without 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The FOA lists nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status as eligible applicants.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted as eligible applicant categories in the announcement.

Can for-profit organizations apply?

Yes. For-profit entities (other than small businesses) and small businesses are both listed as eligible applicants.

Are tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligibility description.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed among eligible applicant categories.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The announcement indicates that non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are eligible applicant categories.

What funding activity category is this opportunity associated with?

The opportunity is classified under the Health, Income Security and Social Services funding activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 93.865.

What is the overall goal of this FOA?

The FOA aims to build evidence on when, how, and for whom human-animal interactions and animal-assisted approaches influence health and development. It emphasizes rigorous evaluation and, when relevant, practical considerations such as scalability and cost effectiveness.

Does the FOA focus only on children?

No. While one theme focuses on child development and health, another theme includes animal-assisted interventions for both children and adults, and the public health theme is broader and can apply across populations and community settings.

Do projects need to be community-based or implemented in real-world settings?

The FOA notes interest in real-world service or community contexts, particularly where cost-effectiveness and value compared with standard approaches are relevant. The opportunity also supports observational and early-stage research designs, so projects may vary in setting as long as they fit the stated scope.