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

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 18 649

The Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R03 - Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR-18-649) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support small, focused research projects on how interactions between humans and animals affect health and development. It uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is typically intended for pilot studies, feasibility work, secondary analyses, instrument development, or other early-stage projects that can generate preliminary data and help set up larger future studies. Clinical trials are allowed but not required, meaning applicants may propose either observational/basic behavioral research or intervention-based studies, as long as the project fits the stated scope and meets NIH requirements.

The FOA is centered on three broad research themes. First, it encourages studies that examine the impact of human-animal interactions on child development and health, covering both typical development and atypical trajectories. This can include questions about social-emotional development, stress regulation, attachment, behavioral outcomes, developmental disorders, and how the presence of animals in a child’s environment may relate to wellbeing over time. Second, it supports evaluation of animal-assisted interventions for people who have disabilities or who need rehabilitative services, including both children and adults. In practice, this could involve structured interventions where animals are incorporated into therapy or rehabilitation settings, with careful measurement of functional outcomes, mental health impacts, participation, and quality of life. Third, it invites research on animals and public health more broadly, including whether involving animals in prevention or disease-reduction strategies is effective and cost-effective. That cost-effectiveness emphasis signals interest not only in whether an HAI approach works, but also whether it provides measurable value compared with standard approaches, especially in real-world service or community contexts.

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $50,000, reflecting the smaller scale of the R03 mechanism. The original closing date provided in the source information is March 30, 2019, and the posting (creation) date is February 9, 2018. While those dates indicate the announcement was time-bounded in that cycle, the summary still describes the program’s intent, typical project size, and the kinds of research questions NIH was seeking under this specific FOA number.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply. Beyond standard domestic applicants such as state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; independent school districts; special district governments; and public housing authorities, the FOA also permits applications from federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, as well as nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status. For-profit entities (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also listed as eligible, along with an “Others” category that broadens potential applicant types. The announcement explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories, including 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), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This broad eligibility aligns with the interdisciplinary and community-facing nature of HAI research, which often spans healthcare, rehabilitation, education, psychology, veterinary/public health, and community-based service settings.

Administratively, the opportunity is classified under the Health, Income Security and Social Services funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.865. Overall, the FOA is aimed at building evidence on when, how, and for whom human-animal interactions and animal-assisted approaches influence health and development, with an emphasis on rigorous evaluation and, where relevant, practical considerations like scalability and cost effectiveness.

• 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 (R03 - 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 $50,000.00 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.

Apply for PAR 18 649

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