Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 135

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 135

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant opportunity titled "Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA 18-135) supports research projects that aim to improve health outcomes for women, infants, and children by advancing what is known about maternal nutrition and pre-pregnancy obesity. The central idea behind the announcement is that a woman s health and nutritional status before and during pregnancy can shape the intrauterine environment, influence fetal development, and ultimately affect the health of the newborn and the child later on. Because these links cut across biology, medicine, nutrition science, public health, and social and environmental factors, the FOA explicitly encourages interdisciplinary approaches that can connect multiple perspectives into a coherent research plan.

This is an R01 mechanism, meaning it is intended for substantial, hypothesis-driven research projects that can generate strong evidence and meaningful scientific advances. The "clinical trial optional" designation signals that applicants may propose either studies that include a clinical trial component or studies that do not, depending on what best fits the research question. In practice, this leaves room for a wide range of study designs, such as observational cohort studies examining maternal dietary patterns and pregnancy outcomes, mechanistic studies that explore metabolic or inflammatory pathways related to obesity, intervention studies testing nutrition counseling or weight management strategies before conception, and longer-term follow-up studies that track infant and child health outcomes associated with maternal factors. The emphasis is on generating knowledge that can improve health, whether through better prevention strategies, better clinical guidance, or clearer understanding of risk pathways.

The FOA sits within NIH s broader health and education research mission and is linked to CFDA numbers 93.321 and 93.361, indicating alignment with NIH program areas relevant to women s health, reproduction, and child health. While the opportunity category is listed as discretionary and the instrument type as a grant, the announcement does not specify an award ceiling or the number of expected awards in the provided source data, so applicants would typically look to NIH R01 budget norms and institute-specific guidance to estimate appropriate project scope and costs.

Eligibility is broad and designed to encourage participation from many sectors that can contribute to maternal and child health research. 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; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and both nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), as well as small businesses and other eligible entities. The FOA also calls out additional eligible applicant types to promote inclusive participation, including 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; U.S. territories or possessions; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; tribal governments other than federally recognized ones; and even non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations), reflecting an interest in research capacity across diverse communities and contexts.

From a public health standpoint, the opportunity is grounded in the well-established concern that maternal obesity and poor nutrition are associated with increased risks such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, delivery complications, and adverse infant outcomes, and that these early exposures may contribute to longer-term trajectories in child growth and metabolic health. By encouraging research that clarifies how maternal diet quality, nutrient status, and pre-pregnancy weight intersect with biological and social determinants of health, the FOA seeks findings that can be translated into better prevention efforts, improved prenatal and preconception care, and policies or programs that support healthier pregnancies and healthier children.

The source data indicates the opportunity was created on 2017-11-01, with an original closing date listed as 2018-05-07. That timeline suggests the FOA may have been part of a specific cycle or may have been reissued or replaced by subsequent NIH announcements over time, so anyone looking to apply would typically confirm the current active solicitation and due dates through NIH and Grants.gov listings.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.321, 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-05-07. (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.

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