Moving Beyond Standard Assessments: Applying Novel Tools to Assess Human Placental Structure and Function in Real Time (R01) | RFA HD 18 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 18 003

Moving Beyond Standard Assessments: Applying Novel Tools to Assess Human Placental Structure and Function in Real Time (R01) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-HD-18-003; CFDA 93.865) focused on improving how researchers and clinicians evaluate the human placenta during pregnancy. The central purpose of the announcement is to support research that develops and applies new, safe technologies capable of measuring placental structure and function in real time while the pregnancy is ongoing. The emphasis is on approaches that work in vivo and are non-invasive or, if necessary, only minimally invasive, with the broader goal of moving beyond conventional or indirect assessments that may not capture placental performance as it changes across gestation.

The scientific and technical scope is framed around creating or adapting novel tools that can monitor placental development and function across pregnancy rather than relying solely on standard check-ins or end-point evaluations. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for methods that can repeatedly and safely assess the placenta while the fetus is developing, enabling a more dynamic and accurate picture of placental health. Although the announcement text does not list specific technologies, the intent clearly supports innovative measurement strategies that could provide real-time physiological, structural, or functional readouts of the placenta in a way that is feasible during routine pregnancy timelines and appropriate for human use.

This opportunity is offered as an R01 research project grant, which typically supports substantial, hypothesis-driven or technology-development research programs. It is categorized as a discretionary grant within the Health, Income Security and Social Services funding activity area. The stated award ceiling is $499,000, indicating the maximum amount expected per award under the terms of this specific announcement. The source data notes an expected awards field but does not provide a number, so the exact count of anticipated funded projects is not specified in the information provided.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and 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; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. In addition, the FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; U.S. territories or possessions; and certain non-U.S. participants, including non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) and regional organizations. This wide eligibility suggests NIH intended to attract interdisciplinary teams and diverse institutional participants, including those with specialized community ties or unique clinical/research infrastructures.

Key administrative details from the source data include an original closing date of 2017-03-31 and a creation date of 2016-12-15. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted NIH R01 call for innovation in placental assessment, prioritizing safe, real-time, in vivo measurement capabilities that can track placental structure and function throughout pregnancy and potentially improve understanding, monitoring, and outcomes related to placental health.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Moving Beyond Standard Assessments: Applying Novel Tools to Assess Human Placental Structure and Function in Real Time (R01)" 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 2016-12-15.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-03-31. (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 $499,000.00 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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