Administrative Supplements for Complementary Health Practitioner Research Experience (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 19 031

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NIH NCCIH Administrative Supplement (PA 19-031)

What is PA 19-031?

PA 19-031 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) that supports administrative supplements to existing NCCIH-funded grants. It is not a standalone grant program for brand-new projects; it adds funds to an active NCCIH-supported "parent" award.

What is the main purpose of this administrative supplement?

The purpose is to provide added funding so a complementary health practitioner can participate in an intensive, closely supervised research experience within an ongoing NCCIH-funded research project. The emphasis is on practical research immersion and building real research capability in complementary and integrative health research methods.

Who is the supplement intended to support?

The supplement is designed for complementary health practitioners. Examples mentioned include licensed acupuncturists, massage therapists, music therapists, chiropractic doctors, and naturopathic or osteopathic physicians, among others.

What kinds of research activities can the practitioner take part in?

The supported experience is meant to be hands-on and embedded in a functioning research project. Examples of activities include exposure to research design, data collection, data management, analysis, intervention or protocol fidelity procedures (when relevant), and research ethics and compliance.

Does the research have to be basic, translational, or clinical?

The experience can span basic, translational, or clinical research, as long as it is clearly tied to and conducted in association with the scope of the existing NCCIH-supported parent grant.

Is a clinical trial required under this opportunity?

No. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement. The research experience may involve a clinical trial component if it aligns with the parent project and meets NIH requirements, but a clinical trial is not required.

What does it mean that this is an "administrative supplement" rather than a new grant?

It means the request must be anchored to an existing active NCCIH-funded parent award. The supplement must fit within the scientific scope of that parent grant and comply with NIH/NCCIH supplement policies and budgetary constraints. It is intended to add a time-limited research experience to the funded project, not to create a separate, independent project.

How long is the funding period?

Funding is provided for one year, with an option to seek a second year of support through renewal.

What is the program specifically NOT meant to fund?

NCCIH states this initiative is not meant to fund clinical residency training or other forms of clinical practitioner training. It is aimed at research immersion and research skill development, not expanding clinical service hours or supporting training programs whose primary purpose is clinical credentialing.

What is a "parent" award in this context?

A "parent" award is an existing, active NCCIH-funded grant. The supplement request adds funds onto that active award so the complementary health practitioner can take part in the defined research experience within the ongoing project.

Who can apply for this opportunity?

Eligible applicants are U.S.-based organizations that hold (or would be submitting on behalf of) an existing NCCIH-supported parent award and fall into eligible organization categories described in the opportunity. Examples 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; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations (including federally recognized tribal governments and other than federally recognized tribal organizations).

Are there specific institution types that are explicitly highlighted as eligible?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly highlights additional applicant categories 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, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Are non-U.S. (foreign) organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply under this program.

Can a U.S. organization apply if the work includes a non-U.S. component?

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

What do the foreign component restrictions mean in practice?

Practically, the research experience and the supplement-supported activities must be based within eligible U.S. organizations and cannot rely on foreign sites or otherwise include a foreign component as part of the supplement-funded effort.

Which NIH center is sponsoring this opportunity?

The sponsoring NIH component identified is the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under Health and lists CFDA 93.213.

When was this opportunity posted, and what is the listed closing date?

The opportunity was originally posted on 2018-10-18, and the source information lists an original closing date of 2021-10-01.

Does the listed closing date mean applications cannot be submitted now?

The information provided indicates a historical closing date (2021-10-01). Based on the description, it is relevant for historical reference and for checking whether NIH/NCCIH has reissued, extended, or replaced the announcement for current submissions.

What is the overall structure of the supported experience?

The supplement supports a time-limited research experience embedded within the funded project, typically involving mentorship, research skill development, and direct participation in study activities, rather than primarily clinical training.

Does the practitioner have to work only on activities already within the parent grant's scope?

Yes. The supplement-supported work must be clearly tied to and conducted in association with the scope of the existing NCCIH-supported parent grant and must fit within supplement policy and the parent grant's approved scope.