Prevention of Perinatal Depression: Improving Intervention Delivery for At-Risk Individuals (R01 Clinical Trial Required) | RFA MH 21 240

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MH 21 240

The grant opportunity titled "Prevention of Perinatal Depression: Improving Intervention Delivery for At-Risk Individuals (R01 Clinical Trial Required)" (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MH-21-240) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary research grant in the health category (CFDA 93.242). It uses the R01 mechanism and specifically requires a clinical trial, meaning applicants are expected to test an intervention in a structured, rigorous way rather than only conducting observational or purely descriptive studies. The overarching purpose is to strengthen the evidence base around preventing perinatal depression by filling key research gaps highlighted by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), with a clear emphasis on improving real-world prevention for people most likely to benefit.

The FOA is built around two central research needs. First, it seeks better ways to identify who is at increased risk for perinatal depression and therefore most likely to benefit from preventive interventions. This can include refining risk prediction approaches, clarifying combinations of clinical and social risk factors, and improving how risk is identified in typical care settings. The underlying goal is practical: prevention programs work best when the right people are reached at the right time, so the FOA encourages studies that sharpen targeting strategies rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach.

Second, the FOA prioritizes research on how to improve the delivery of preventive interventions. That includes studying methods to increase reach, engagement, adherence, and sustained participation, as well as reducing barriers that keep eligible pregnant or postpartum individuals from accessing effective prevention. Delivery-focused research could involve testing different settings (for example, obstetric clinics, primary care, community organizations, home visiting programs), different provider models (such as nurses, midwives, community health workers, peer support specialists, behavioral health clinicians, or integrated care teams), and different formats (in-person, telehealth, hybrid, group-based, digital tools). The FOA is essentially asking not only "what works" but also "how do we make it work at scale in everyday systems where people actually receive care."

A major theme throughout the announcement is attention to underserved populations. The FOA encourages applicants to design studies that address inequities in access, quality, and outcomes, and to develop or adapt prevention strategies that fit the lived realities of communities that have historically been overlooked or face structural barriers to care. This emphasis implies that strong applications will likely show cultural and contextual fit, feasible delivery pathways, and thoughtful plans to recruit and retain participants who are often missing from clinical research, while also considering social determinants that shape risk and participation.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental units. 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; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional 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, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized), and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, the FOA states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, though foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning certain international elements can be included when they meaningfully support the U.S.-led project under NIH rules.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created on 2021-06-25 and had an original closing date of 2021-11-09. The notice lists an award ceiling field but does not provide a specific dollar cap in the provided text, and it does not specify an expected number of awards in the excerpt. Overall, the FOA is best understood as NIH seeking clinical trial-based research that improves prevention of perinatal depression by (1) more accurately finding those at highest risk who stand to benefit and (2) making preventive interventions easier to deliver, easier to access, and more effective in real-world settings, particularly for underserved communities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Prevention of Perinatal Depression: Improving Intervention Delivery for At-Risk Individuals (R01 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-06-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-11-09. (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.

Apply for RFA MH 21 240

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