Women's Mental Health and Sex/Gender Differences Research (R21)

About This Grant

- This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits exploratory/developmental (R21) research grant applications on women's mental health and sex/gender differences in mental health across the lifespan. The epidemiology and disability burden of mental disorders provide clear evidence of the value of a focus on sex differences research. There are differences in both the prevalence and clinical course of mental disorders between men and women. Starting in childhood, girls have higher rates of anxiety disorders than boys. Boys have higher rates of autism and attention deficit disorder. After puberty, women have higher rates than men of depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Men are more likely to suffer from substance abuse disorders. For other serious mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, gender disparities in incidence are not found. However, significant differences in clinical course have been demonstrated across the lifespan. This pattern of disparities in the epidemiology of mental disorders in males and females provides indirect evidence of genetic, hormonal, biological, social, cultural and developmental factors in etiology and course. An increasing body of basic and clinical research also provides evidence of neurobiological sex differences that may predispose to clinical differences in mental disorders. The finding of sex/gender differences in epidemiological, basic, and clinical studies has also increased interest in the application of that knowledge to improving interventions and services for males and females. In recognition of the importance of studying sex/gender differences in health outcomes, NIH has provided guidelines to researchers for inclusion of women and men in clinical research and for gender analysis of clinical trials outcomes. Through research such as that called for in this FOA, NIMH seeks to increase the understanding of the significance of sex/gender differences in mental health outcomes and to assess their significance for mental health prevention, treatment and services.-This funding opportunity will utilize the R21 mechanism, but will be run in parallel with a program announcement of identical scientific scope that will utilize the traditional research project grant (R01) (PA-06-333).-Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.-The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may not exceed two years. Direct costs are limited to $275,000 over an R21 two-year period, with no more than $200,000 in direct costs allowed in any single year.-Eligible organizations: For profit organizations; Non-profit organizations; Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories; Units of State government; Units of local government; Eligible institutions of the Federal government; Domestic institutions; Foreign institutions; Faith-based or community-based organizations; Units of State Tribal government; and Units of Local Tribal government. -Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs): Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH programs.-Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct.