Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA OD 20 016
The funding opportunity titled "Emergency Awards: RADx-RAD Multimodal COVID-19 surveillance methods for high risk clustered populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-OD-20-016) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) emergency grant announcement released under the federal public health emergency declaration for COVID-19. It sits within the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics - Radical (RADx-rad) initiative and is designed to move quickly, using an expedited funding pathway to support research that strengthens COVID-19 surveillance approaches in populations that are both high-risk and clustered, meaning groups that live, work, or receive services in settings where transmission can spread rapidly and where traditional surveillance can miss outbreaks or detect them too late.
At its core, the FOA is focused on "multimodal" surveillance methods, which implies the use and integration of more than one data source or testing approach to monitor SARS-CoV-2 spread. In practice, that could include combining diagnostic testing strategies with other monitoring signals to improve early detection, situational awareness, and response in settings such as congregate living environments, institutional facilities, workplaces with dense contact networks, or communities facing elevated exposure risk and limited access to timely testing. The activity mechanism is an R01, and the notice specifies "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if it is scientifically necessary for the surveillance method being evaluated, but a clinical trial is not required for every project.
This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant with a health-focused activity area (FundingActivityCategory: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health) and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.121, 93.273, 93.307, 93.310, 93.361, 93.847, 93.859, 93.879), reflecting NIH program areas that can support different components of COVID-19 research and public health response. The announcement was created on 2020-08-06, with an original closing date of 2020-09-30, reinforcing that it was structured for rapid deployment during an urgent phase of the pandemic. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or the number of expected awards in the provided source data, which suggests those details either varied by application scope or were specified in the full FOA text outside the excerpt.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive, spanning most major applicant types that could realistically implement or study surveillance in real-world settings. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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); tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. In addition, the FOA explicitly calls out other 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); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; U.S. territories or possessions; and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). That eligibility language signals NIH interest in reaching settings and communities that are often under-resourced, disproportionately impacted, or uniquely positioned to run surveillance programs in high-risk clustered environments.
Overall, the grant is best understood as a fast-track NIH R01 mechanism intended to accelerate practical, implementable COVID-19 surveillance solutions that use multiple complementary methods, are tailored to high-risk clustered populations, and can be deployed or evaluated quickly to inform outbreak detection and response.Apply for RFA OD 20 016
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Emergency Awards: RADx-RAD Multimodal COVID-19 surveillance methods for high risk clustered populations (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): 93.121, 93.273, 93.307, 93.310, 93.361, 93.847, 93.859, 93.879.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-08-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-30. (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 official title of this funding opportunity?
The official title is "Emergency Awards: RADx-RAD Multimodal COVID-19 surveillance methods for high risk clustered populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-OD-20-016.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered through the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Why is this described as an "Emergency Award"?
It was released under the federal public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 and was designed to move quickly using an expedited funding pathway.
What initiative is this funding opportunity associated with?
It sits within the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics - Radical (RADx-rad) initiative.
What is the main purpose of the FOA?
The FOA is intended to support research that strengthens COVID-19 surveillance approaches in populations that are both high-risk and clustered, where transmission can spread rapidly and where traditional surveillance may miss outbreaks or detect them too late.
What does "high-risk clustered populations" mean in this context?
It refers to groups that live, work, or receive services in settings where transmission can spread quickly due to close contact or shared environments, and where standard surveillance approaches may be delayed or incomplete.
What kinds of settings are implied by "clustered" environments?
The description points to settings such as congregate living environments, institutional facilities, workplaces with dense contact networks, or communities with elevated exposure risk and limited access to timely testing.
What does "multimodal" COVID-19 surveillance mean?
"Multimodal" implies using and integrating more than one data source or testing approach to monitor SARS-CoV-2 spread, with the goal of improving early detection, situational awareness, and response.
Does the FOA require a specific type of surveillance method?
The emphasis is on multimodal surveillance, meaning approaches that combine multiple complementary methods or signals rather than relying on a single surveillance stream.
What is the activity mechanism for this funding opportunity?
The activity mechanism is an R01.
What does "Clinical Trial Optional" mean for this R01?
Applicants may propose a clinical trial if it is scientifically necessary for the surveillance method being evaluated, but a clinical trial is not required for every project.
What type of grant is this categorized as?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant.
What is the funding activity area associated with this opportunity?
The listing associates it with a health-focused activity area and includes the FundingActivityCategory values: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this announcement?
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.121, 93.273, 93.307, 93.310, 93.361, 93.847, 93.859, and 93.879.
Why are multiple CFDA numbers listed?
The multiple CFDA numbers reflect NIH program areas that can support different components of COVID-19 research and public health response.
When was the announcement created?
The announcement was created on 2020-08-06.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was 2020-09-30.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling?
No. The provided source data does not list an award ceiling.
Does the provided information include the expected number of awards?
No. The provided source data does not list the number of expected awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types capable of implementing or studying surveillance in real-world settings, including government entities, higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profits (other than small businesses), and small businesses, as well as additional categories explicitly listed in the announcement.
Are state, county, and local governments eligible?
Yes. State, county, and local governments are included as eligible applicants.
Are special district governments eligible?
Yes. Special district governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are independent school districts eligible?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.
Are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are private institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are federally recognized Native American tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are public housing authorities eligible?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with the listing noting exclusions for institutions of higher education within those nonprofit categories.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are small businesses eligible?
Yes. Small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
Are minority-serving institutions explicitly included as eligible applicants?
Yes. The FOA explicitly calls out 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); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible federal agencies are included among the eligible applicant types.
Are regional organizations eligible?
Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are explicitly included in the eligibility language.
What kinds of projects is NIH trying to accelerate through this FOA?
The FOA is best understood as a fast-track NIH R01 mechanism intended to accelerate practical, implementable COVID-19 surveillance solutions that use multiple complementary methods, are tailored to high-risk clustered populations, and can be deployed or evaluated quickly to inform outbreak detection and response.
What is the key takeaway about timing and speed for this opportunity?
It was structured for rapid deployment during an urgent phase of the pandemic, using an expedited funding pathway to move quickly from proposal to supported work.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA OD 20 016) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Limited Competition: Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Transition Award (R00 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 20 315 Funding Number: PAR 20 315 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 068 Funding Number: PAR 21 068 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 069 Funding Number: PAR 21 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA TW 21 004 Funding Number: RFA TW 21 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 246 Funding Number: PAR 21 246 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA NS 22 002 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MD 22 004 Funding Number: RFA MD 22 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Education Program on Translational Devices (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 146 Funding Number: PAR 22 146 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities - (U01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DK 22 014 Funding Number: RFA DK 22 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities Research Coordinating Center (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 22 015 Funding Number: RFA DK 22 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities Research Coordinating Center (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 23 003 Funding Number: RFA DK 23 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers for AIDS Research (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 116 Funding Number: PAR 23 116 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 117 Funding Number: PAR 23 117 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 191 Funding Number: PAR 23 191 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Interventions for Stigma Reduction to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 190 Funding Number: PAR 23 190 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 091 Funding Number: PAR 24 091 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 092 Funding Number: PAR 24 092 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MD 24 006 Funding Number: RFA MD 24 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAID, NIDDK, NIDA, and NIAAA Research Opportunities for New and "At-Risk" Investigators (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 25 249 Funding Number: PA 25 249 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 354 Funding Number: PAR 25 354 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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