The National Institutes of Health (NIH), including the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), seeks applications for research under the funding opportunity "Interventions to Address Disparities in Liver Diseases and Liver Cancer (R01 Clinical Trials Optional)." This initiative supports multi-level, multi-domain intervention research to reduce disparities in liver diseases and liver cancer among populations experiencing health disparities in the United States.

Key goals of this initiative include developing innovative interventions to improve screening, prevention, treatment, management, and survivorship outcomes for liver diseases and liver cancer among racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with low socioeconomic status, those in underserved rural communities, sexual and gender minorities, and people with disabilities. Research may also address intersecting identities and social determinants of health (SDOH) contributing to health disparities. Interventions may include cultural and community-based approaches, leveraging diverse settings and multidisciplinary expertise.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, non-profits, small businesses, state and local governments, and tribal entities within the U.S. Foreign institutions and components are not eligible. Research proposals must comply with NIH data management and sharing requirements and address how interventions will advance health equity and reduce disparities. Applications proposing budgets exceeding $500,000 in direct costs must consult with NIH program staff at least six weeks before submission.

Application budgets are not capped but must reflect the needs of the project, with a maximum project period of five years. Proposals are accepted beginning January 5, 2025, with deadlines aligning with NIH standard due dates. Early submission is encouraged to ensure timely error correction.

Research proposals will be evaluated based on significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and the expertise and resources of the applicant team. Projects must demonstrate cultural competency, community engagement, and measurable impacts on liver health disparities. Collaboration with community organizations and stakeholders is strongly encouraged. Additional review criteria include the justification for human subjects research and protections for vertebrate animals, where applicable.

Award administration will comply with NIH and federal policies, including requirements for clinical trials and data sharing. Reporting requirements include annual progress reports, financial statements, and compliance with NIH data and safety monitoring plans. For questions, applicants can contact program staff in the participating NIH institutes.