Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 110
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Reducing Overscreening for Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancers among Older Adults (R01)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-17-110; CFDA: 93.394) supports research projects that aim to curb the unnecessary use of cancer screening tests in average-risk older adults. The core idea behind the announcement is that public health and clinical initiatives to increase screening have worked well overall, but as more people receive routine screening into older age, there is rising concern that some testing continues past the point where benefits outweigh harms. For many older adults, especially those with limited life expectancy, multiple chronic conditions, or higher vulnerability to complications, additional screening can lead to avoidable downstream procedures, anxiety, overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and medical complications without a meaningful improvement in longevity or quality of life.
This FOA specifically targets overscreening related to breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer. It prioritizes intervention research grounded in real-world healthcare settings, meaning projects should be designed to function within clinics, health systems, or other care delivery environments where screening decisions are actually made. The announcement recognizes that overscreening is not just the result of a single choice by a patient or clinician; it is often produced by a web of influences that can include patient expectations and fears, clinician habits and risk perceptions, workflow and time constraints, electronic health record prompts and quality metrics, institutional culture, and even community or organizational messaging that may unintentionally promote "more screening at any age" without emphasizing individualized decision-making.
A defining feature of this opportunity is its multi-level requirement. Proposed studies are expected to intervene at two or more levels (for example, patient and clinician; clinician and health system; health system and community organization), and they must measure outcomes at two or more levels as well. In other words, NIH is not looking for narrowly focused interventions that only change one piece of the system; it is looking for approaches that acknowledge interactions between people, care teams, and the larger healthcare infrastructure. Projects should explicitly account for how changes at one level can amplify or undermine changes at another level, such as how clinician education might fail without aligned EHR decision support, or how patient decision aids might be less effective if appointment workflows do not allow time for shared decision-making.
The research scope includes both understanding why overscreening happens and testing strategies to reduce it. Competitive applications would typically be expected to identify modifiable drivers of overuse, develop or adapt interventions that can be implemented in practice, and evaluate whether those interventions reduce inappropriate screening while maintaining patient-centered care. Outcomes could include screening rates among populations unlikely to benefit, changes in clinician ordering behavior, patient knowledge and decisional conflict, alignment of screening with evidence-based guidelines, referral patterns for follow-up testing, health system utilization, and broader patient-centered endpoints tied to functioning, independence, and quality of life. The FOA emphasizes the real-world consequences of overscreening, so proposals that consider harms (unnecessary procedures, complications, stress, and overdiagnosis) alongside benefits and system impacts are well aligned with the intent.
The funding mechanism is an R01 research project grant, and the opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category with an activity focus in education and health. The original closing date listed for this opportunity was January 24, 2018, and the sponsor agency is NIH. While an award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source text, applicants would generally be expected to propose budgets and timelines appropriate for an R01-scale intervention study conducted in healthcare delivery settings.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and some international entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), 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, non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth reflects NIH's interest in solutions that can be tested across diverse healthcare environments and populations, including settings that serve groups who may experience distinct barriers, communication needs, or patterns of healthcare use.
Overall, this FOA is aimed at shifting cancer screening practice for older adults toward more individualized, evidence-based decisions by reducing low-value testing and encouraging interventions that work across multiple layers of healthcare delivery. The ultimate goal is not simply lowering screening numbers, but improving care quality by avoiding preventable harms, supporting appropriate shared decision-making, and helping older adults maintain health, independence, and quality of life.Apply for PA 17 110
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Reducing Overscreening for Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancers among Older Adults (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NIH funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Reducing Overscreening for Breast, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancers among Older Adults (R01)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PA-17-110.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.394.
Which agency is sponsoring this grant opportunity?
The sponsor agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the main purpose of this FOA?
This FOA supports research projects aimed at reducing unnecessary (low-value) cancer screening in average-risk older adults, particularly when screening continues past the point where the benefits no longer outweigh the harms.
Which cancer screenings are the focus of this FOA?
The FOA specifically targets overscreening related to breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Who is the population of interest?
The opportunity focuses on average-risk older adults, including those for whom screening may be unlikely to provide meaningful benefit, such as people with limited life expectancy, multiple chronic conditions, or increased vulnerability to complications.
Why is NIH concerned about overscreening in older adults?
The FOA explains that while efforts to increase screening have been effective overall, routine screening can continue into older age even when harms may outweigh benefits. In these situations, additional screening can lead to avoidable downstream procedures, anxiety, overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and medical complications without meaningful improvements in longevity or quality of life.
What kinds of harms does this FOA associate with overscreening?
Examples described include unnecessary downstream procedures, complications, stress and anxiety, overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and other medical complications that may not improve longevity or quality of life.
What type of research does this FOA prioritize?
The FOA prioritizes intervention research grounded in real-world healthcare settings, such as clinics, health systems, or other care delivery environments where screening decisions are made.
Does this FOA support research on why overscreening happens, or only on interventions?
It includes both: understanding why overscreening occurs and testing strategies to reduce it.
What does "real-world healthcare settings" mean in the context of this FOA?
It means the work should be designed to function within actual care delivery environments (for example, clinics or health systems) where screening decisions, ordering behaviors, workflows, and follow-up practices occur.
What does the FOA say causes overscreening?
The FOA describes overscreening as multi-factorial, influenced by patient expectations and fears, clinician habits and risk perceptions, workflow and time constraints, electronic health record prompts and quality metrics, institutional culture, and community or organizational messaging that may unintentionally promote screening at any age without emphasizing individualized decisions.
What is the "multi-level" requirement?
Proposed studies are expected to intervene at two or more levels (for example, patient and clinician; clinician and health system; health system and community organization) and measure outcomes at two or more levels as well.
Can a project focus on only one level, such as patient education alone?
The FOA indicates NIH is not looking for narrowly focused interventions that change only one piece of the system. Projects are expected to intervene at two or more levels and measure outcomes at two or more levels.
What are examples of "levels" mentioned in the FOA?
Examples include the patient level, clinician level, health system level, and community or organizational level.
Why does NIH require multi-level interventions and outcomes?
The FOA emphasizes that screening decisions are shaped by interacting influences across patients, care teams, and healthcare infrastructure. It also notes that change at one level can amplify or undermine change at another level (for example, clinician education may not work without aligned EHR decision support, and patient decision aids may be less effective if workflows do not allow time for shared decision-making).
What kinds of study outcomes does NIH consider relevant?
The FOA lists possible outcomes such as screening rates among populations unlikely to benefit, changes in clinician ordering behavior, patient knowledge and decisional conflict, alignment of screening with evidence-based guidelines, referral patterns for follow-up testing, health system utilization, and patient-centered endpoints tied to functioning, independence, and quality of life.
Does the FOA emphasize patient-centered care?
Yes. It highlights reducing inappropriate screening while maintaining patient-centered care, including shared decision-making and outcomes related to quality of life, functioning, and independence.
Is the goal simply to reduce screening rates overall?
No. The FOA states the goal is not simply lowering screening numbers, but improving care quality by avoiding preventable harms and supporting individualized, evidence-based screening decisions for older adults.
What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?
The funding mechanism is an R01 research project grant.
What grant category and activity focus are listed?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant with an activity focus in education and health.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed is January 24, 2018.
Is an award ceiling provided?
No award ceiling is specified in the provided information.
Is the expected number of awards provided?
No expected number of awards is specified in the provided information.
What does the FOA suggest about budgets and timelines?
While specific limits are not provided in the source text, it indicates applicants would generally be expected to propose budgets and timelines appropriate for an R01-scale intervention study conducted in healthcare delivery settings.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. organization types and some international entities. Examples include various levels of government, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, tribal governments and tribal organizations (including those not federally recognized), public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (with the noted exclusion related to higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses.
Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible?
Yes, federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible.
Are tribal organizations that are not federally recognized eligible?
Yes, tribal organizations that are not federally recognized are listed as eligible.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The FOA includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and it also includes small businesses.
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible (with the noted exclusion in the provided text regarding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories).
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.
Are minority-serving institutions mentioned as eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, and TCCUs.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are specifically highlighted among eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are listed among additional eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are included among eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among eligible applicants.
What is the overall intended impact of projects funded under this FOA?
The FOA aims to shift cancer screening practice for older adults toward individualized, evidence-based decisions by reducing low-value testing, preventing avoidable harms, supporting appropriate shared decision-making, and promoting health, independence, and quality of life.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PA 17 110) also looked into and applied for these:
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| Discovering Novel Targets: The Molecular Genetics of Drug Addiction and Related Co-Morbidities (R01) Apply for PA 17 120 Funding Number: PA 17 120 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Basic Mechanisms of Brain Development Mediating Substance Use and Dependence (R01) Apply for PA 17 119 Funding Number: PA 17 119 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R21) Apply for PAR 17 124 Funding Number: PAR 17 124 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Perception and Cognition Research to Inform Cancer Image Interpretation (R01) Apply for PAR 17 125 Funding Number: PAR 17 125 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Therapy Response Assessment (UG3/UH3) Apply for PAR 17 128 Funding Number: PAR 17 128 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Quantitative Imaging Tools and Methods for Cancer Response Assessment (U01) Apply for PAR 17 129 Funding Number: PAR 17 129 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R21) Apply for PA 17 137 Funding Number: PA 17 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Innovations in Mechanisms and Interventions to Address Mental Health in HIV Prevention and Care Continuum (R01) Apply for PA 17 136 Funding Number: PA 17 136 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NINR Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34) Apply for PAR 17 133 Funding Number: PAR 17 133 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs) (U54) Apply for RFA NS 17 021 Funding Number: RFA NS 17 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Activities to Promote Technology Research Collaborations (APTRC) for Cancer Research (Admin Supp) Apply for PA 17 143 Funding Number: PA 17 143 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R21) Apply for PAR 17 150 Funding Number: PAR 17 150 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Mechanisms of Disparities in Chronic Liver Diseases and Cancer (R01) Apply for PAR 17 151 Funding Number: PAR 17 151 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptome (R21) Apply for PAR 17 152 Funding Number: PAR 17 152 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing our Understanding of the Brain Epitranscriptomics (R01) Apply for PAR 17 153 Funding Number: PAR 17 153 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R21) Apply for PA 17 157 Funding Number: PA 17 157 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Data Science Research: Personal Health Libraries for Consumers and Patients (R01) Apply for PAR 17 159 Funding Number: PAR 17 159 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Evaluating the NIDA Standardized Research E-Cigarette in Risk Reduction and Related Studies (U01) Apply for PAR 17 156 Funding Number: PAR 17 156 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Functional Genetics, Epigenetics, and Non-coding RNAs in Substance Use Disorders (R01) Apply for PA 17 155 Funding Number: PA 17 155 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Phase Clinical Trials in Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions (R01) Apply for PAR 17 167 Funding Number: PAR 17 167 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
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