Pilot Studies to Detect and Prevent Suicide Behavior, Ideation and Self-Harm in Youth in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System (R34 Clinical Trial Required) | PAR 18 228

FAQs: NIH PAR-18-228 (R34) Pilot Studies to Detect and Prevent Suicide Behavior, Ideation and Self-Harm in Justice-Involved Youth

What is PAR-18-228?

PAR-18-228 is an NIH funding opportunity titled "Pilot Studies to Detect and Prevent Suicide Behavior, Ideation and Self-Harm in Youth in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System (R34 Clinical Trial Required)." It supports early-stage, pilot clinical trial research focused on reducing suicide-related outcomes among youth who interact with the juvenile justice system.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is to pilot test practical, real-world strategies that combine (1) improved detection of suicide risk, suicidal thoughts, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and (2) interventions designed to prevent escalation to self-harm or suicide behavior among justice-involved youth.

What kind of research does this FOA fund?

This FOA funds early-stage pilot clinical trial research. It is designed to build evidence and an implementation pathway for larger follow-on studies, rather than supporting large, definitive trials.

Is a clinical trial required under this opportunity?

Yes. The funding opportunity is designated "R34 Clinical Trial Required," meaning the supported projects are expected to include a clinical trial component as part of the pilot study.

What does the R34 mechanism mean in this context?

The R34 mechanism is oriented toward pilot testing. Under this FOA, it is used to evaluate feasibility and early effectiveness of combined detection-and-intervention approaches and to generate actionable evidence that can support later, larger-scale studies.

What populations does the FOA focus on?

The focus is on youth who are in contact with the juvenile justice system, particularly those at risk for suicide behavior, suicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).

What outcomes is the FOA trying to reduce?

The FOA is aimed at reducing suicide-related outcomes, including suicide behavior, suicidal ideation (suicidal thoughts), and self-harm, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), among justice-involved youth.

What is meant by "combined detection-and-intervention strategies"?

It refers to approaches that do two things together: first, they improve detection (such as identifying risk, ideation, or NSSI through screening or triage), and second, they provide an intervention intended to prevent escalation to self-harm or suicide behavior.

Where in the juvenile justice system does NIH expect these strategies to be used?

The FOA emphasizes real-world juvenile justice touchpoints where prevention can realistically happen, including early points of contact and multiple decision points across the youth justice pathway.

What are examples of "touchpoints" mentioned in the FOA?

The FOA highlights touchpoints such as first contacts (including police interactions or intake interviews), pre-trial detention, juvenile or family court proceedings, court disposition, placement decisions, and ongoing care in residential facilities or community supervision and service settings.

Does the FOA encourage interventions at early points of contact?

Yes. The FOA explicitly notes that opportunities for risk detection and prevention begin very early, including first contacts like police interactions and intake interviews.

Does the FOA support projects designed for time-pressured or chaotic settings?

Yes. The FOA recognizes that many juvenile justice moments are chaotic or time-pressured and encourages strategies that can be embedded into routine workflows with usable tools and clear processes for staff.

How important is real-world feasibility and implementation?

Feasibility in typical service environments is a major emphasis. NIH is looking for strategies that can be delivered through existing personnel and routine operations, rather than approaches that require highly specialized clinicians or unusually high levels of funding.

What types of staff or resources should the intervention rely on?

The FOA encourages interventions that can be implemented with commonly available staff, resources, and infrastructure in juvenile justice agencies, courts, detention centers, and community programs.

Does this funding opportunity support "idealized" programs that require specialized staffing?

The FOA signals that the goal is not to create a program that only works in ideal conditions with highly specialized clinicians or exceptional funding. It prioritizes workable approaches suitable for routine service settings.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is $225,000.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.242.

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

Is this a discretionary grant program?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program within the NIH health research portfolio.

What are the key dates shown in the opportunity record?

The opportunity record indicates a creation date of 2017-11-17 and an original closing date of 2021-01-07.

What should applicants do given the closing date listed?

Because the record shows an original closing date of 2021-01-07, applicants planning to submit now should verify the current status of the opportunity and check whether NIH has reissued or updated the FOA.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, including multiple categories of government bodies, educational institutions, tribal entities, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations.

Which government entities are eligible applicants?

Eligible governmental applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; and eligible federal agencies.

Are U.S. higher education institutions eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, as well as several designated categories of serving institutions.

What types of designated higher education institutions are specifically called out as eligible?

The FOA explicitly calls out eligibility for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and the FOA also identifies Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized as eligible, as well as Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments.

Are nonprofits eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education within those nonprofit categories).

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as small businesses.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. The FOA explicitly lists faith-based or community-based organizations among the additional eligible applicant categories.

Are regional organizations eligible?

Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly included in the additional eligible applicant categories.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are included among the additional eligible applicant categories.

Are public housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included among the eligible applicants.

Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply under this opportunity.

Can a U.S. organization apply if the project has a non-U.S. component?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined by NIH in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed under this FOA.

Does the FOA allow any foreign components as NIH defines them?

No. The FOA states that foreign components, as NIH defines them in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

What does the FOA emphasize about scaling and broader adoption?

The FOA is implementation-oriented, emphasizing strategies that fit routine operations so that approaches proven effective in the pilot phase have a clearer path to adoption across diverse jurisdictions and settings.

What types of projects are likely to be the strongest fit?

The strongest-fit projects are likely to pair a workable detection approach (such as structured screening and risk triage processes) with an intervention that can be delivered using routine staffing and resources, while accounting for implementation realities across juvenile justice settings.