The National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), invites applications for the R21 grant titled "Secondary Analysis of Existing Datasets in Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases and Sleep Disorders." This funding opportunity encourages researchers to conduct secondary analyses of existing human datasets relevant to NHLBI's mission areas. The primary goal is to foster the use of pre-existing datasets to address novel scientific questions, generate new tools, models, or methodologies, and produce insights that could significantly impact biomedical or biobehavioral research. The initiative strictly prohibits the generation of new primary data, including biospecimen analysis or additional participant data collection.

The FOA emphasizes the potential of secondary analysis as a cost-effective and efficient means to explore critical health questions, advance research methodologies, and address health disparities. Researchers are encouraged to leverage diverse datasets, including NHLBI BioData Catalyst, BioLINCC, dbGaP, and other NIH and non-NIH data-sharing platforms, as well as investigator datasets, administrative datasets, and electronic health records. Projects may involve merging datasets from different sources, performing meta-analyses, or developing statistical methodologies. Areas of focus include disease etiology, prevention strategies, health disparities, social determinants of health, behavioral health, and novel imaging technologies. Importantly, proposed projects must be distinct from the aims of the original datasets.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, government entities, tribal organizations, and foreign institutions. Participation from historically underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, and early-stage investigators, is strongly encouraged. The grant supports new, resubmission, and revision applications but does not allow clinical trials. Applicants must adhere strictly to NIH submission requirements and registration processes, including active accounts with eRA Commons, SAM, and Grants.gov.

Applicants may request up to $75,000 in direct costs annually, with a maximum project period of two years. The NHLBI plans to commit approximately $2,187,000 per year for up to eighteen new awards annually for Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026. Budgets should be well-justified and aligned with the project's scope and objectives. Projects must clearly describe the datasets being analyzed, including their origins, variables, completeness, and policies governing data use. Proposals must include a timeline outlining key milestones such as data procurement, analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Applications will be evaluated based on NIH's standard review criteria, including significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and environment. Additional criteria will assess the suitability of datasets, project feasibility, and alignment with NHLBI’s mission. Peer reviewers will provide an overall impact score, and funding decisions will consider scientific merit, relevance to NHLBI priorities, and available funds. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals early to address potential errors during the submission process.

Standard NIH application due dates apply, with multiple submission cycles annually. The FOA will expire on January 8, 2025, following its reissuance as PAR-25-056. Successful applicants will receive a formal Notice of Award (NoA) and must comply with NIH reporting requirements, including annual Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs). For assistance, applicants may contact NIH program staff, the eRA Service Desk, or Grants.gov support services.