Understanding the Intersection of Social Inequities to Optimize Health and Reduce Health Disparities: The Axes Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA NR 24 006

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NR 24 006

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering the Understanding the Intersection of Social Inequities to Optimize Health and Reduce Health Disparities: The Axes Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-NR-24-006). This is a discretionary grant using the R01 research project mechanism, with clinical trials allowed but not required. The central purpose is to fund research that explains how health outcomes are shaped by overlapping social positions and the systems of advantage and disadvantage tied to those positions. The opportunity is grounded in the idea that health disparities are not produced by a single factor like race or income alone, but by intersecting systems of privilege and oppression that operate together and can compound risk, reduce access to resources, and influence exposure to harmful environments and stressors.

The Axes Initiative specifically encourages studies that focus on health at the intersections of social statuses such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and ability (among other related statuses), and that examine how social and other determinants of health contribute to unequal outcomes. In practical terms, the research supported under this announcement should move beyond one-variable explanations and instead investigate how multiple axes of identity and stratification combine to influence health, health behaviors, access to care, quality of care, and downstream outcomes. Projects may look at mechanisms and pathways that link structural and social conditions to health, including factors like discrimination, stigma, policy environments, neighborhood and housing conditions, employment and education opportunities, environmental exposures, social support, and access to culturally and structurally responsive health services.

This opportunity sits within NIH health disparities and social determinants priorities and is meant to support rigorous, theory-informed, and methodologically strong work that can clarify why disparities persist and what leverage points exist for improvement. Because the FOA is labeled “Clinical Trial Optional,” applicants can propose either observational, measurement, or intervention research. That flexibility allows applicants to develop projects ranging from analyses of population-level patterns and causal pathways to the design and testing of interventions intended to reduce inequities, as long as the work is aligned with the initiative’s emphasis on intersectionality and the interaction of social systems.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and government 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; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); and both nonprofit organizations with and 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 are also eligible, and the announcement also lists “Other” eligible entities. The FOA further highlights additional eligible applicants such as 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), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, tribal governments that are not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. This emphasis signals a clear interest in participation from institutions and organizations that are closely connected to communities experiencing health disparities and that may bring strong community engagement capacity, place-based expertise, and culturally grounded approaches.

At the same time, the geographic eligibility rules are explicit. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In practice, this means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and eligible, but certain parts of the research may be conducted with foreign collaborations or foreign elements if they meet NIH’s definition and are appropriately justified and structured.

Key administrative details included in the listing are the original closing date of March 10, 2025, and an award ceiling of $500,000. The catalog numbers associated with this opportunity are CFDA 93.242, 93.313, and 93.361, and the funding opportunity was created on April 25, 2024. The announcement does not specify an expected number of awards in the provided text, indicating that applicants should not assume a set award count and should focus on presenting a highly competitive scientific and public health case for their proposed project within the R01 framework and the initiative’s intersectional focus.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Understanding the Intersection of Social Inequities to Optimize Health and Reduce Health Disparities: The Axes Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.313, 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-10. (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 $500,000.00 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 RFA NR 24 006

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