Research Grants to Develop and Validate a Prognostic Tool of Mental Health Sequelae After Traumatic Brain Injury for Adolescent Patients (U01) | RFA CE 23 008

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA CE 23 008

This funding opportunity (RFA CE 23 008) comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). It supports investigator-initiated research to build and test a practical prognostic tool that helps clinicians identify which adolescents, ages 11 to 17, are most likely to develop mental health problems after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), or to experience a worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions. The CDC is looking for a well-designed longitudinal study conducted within one or more large pediatric health care systems that serve a diverse patient population, so the resulting tool is grounded in real-world clinical care and is relevant across different communities.

A central emphasis of the opportunity is health equity and representation. Proposals are especially encouraged when they focus on adolescent groups that either experience higher rates of TBI or are more likely to have poor outcomes after injury. The notice specifically highlights Black and Hispanic youth, adolescents living in rural areas, and youth who are uninsured, reflecting a priority to ensure the tool works for populations that are often underrepresented in research and may face barriers to follow-up care, mental health services, or consistent access to specialty evaluation.

The project has three main scientific objectives that build on each other. First, applicants are expected to identify risk and protective factors that can be captured in the acute care setting and that predict whether an adolescent will develop new mental health sequelae or see a worsening of existing mental health conditions within three months after the TBI. This means the research should focus on information that is realistically available at or soon after the injury visit (for example, clinical characteristics, injury context, patient history, and other measurable factors) and then follow patients over time to observe mental health outcomes. Second, using those empirically derived factors, the study must develop a new prognostic tool that can be used in clinical settings to flag higher-risk patients and support earlier intervention, monitoring, or referral. Third, the tool must be validated, meaning the research design needs to show that the tool can accurately predict which adolescents go on to experience mental health sequelae or worsening symptoms, rather than simply describing associations.

Beyond the core research aims, the CDC also lists several secondary outcomes that reflect implementation and impact. These include producing publications and conference presentations to share findings, and potentially informing new or revised recommendations connected to pediatric mild TBI (mTBI) guidelines. The opportunity also calls for practical recommendations to improve the feasibility of implementing the prognostic tool within a health care system, which can include workflow considerations, staffing implications, and how the tool would be used during clinical decision-making. In addition, applicants are encouraged to develop and promote communication products tied to the tool, which could include materials for clinicians, patients, and caregivers. Finally, there is interest in a potential software module or application based on the tool that is compatible with and interoperable across multiple electronic health record (EHR) vendors, signaling a preference for solutions that can be scaled and integrated into routine care rather than remaining a standalone research product.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant issued as a cooperative agreement (U01), which typically means the CDC expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as collaboration on technical direction, data considerations, dissemination, and alignment with public health priorities. The program sits under the health funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 93.136. Eligibility is broad and includes many entity types such as state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), school districts, special districts, and public housing authorities, among others.

The award information provided indicates an award ceiling of $550,000, with an expectation of making two awards. The posting notes a creation date of November 16, 2022, and an original application due date of January 24, 2023, with electronic submissions required by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the deadline. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at producing a clinically usable, validated risk prediction tool that helps pediatric systems identify adolescents at heightened risk for post-TBI mental health challenges early enough to improve follow-up, support timely care, and ultimately reduce longer-term harm.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Grants to Develop and Validate a Prognostic Tool of Mental Health Sequelae After Traumatic Brain Injury for Adolescent Patients (U01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.136.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 16, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 24, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 pm ET on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $550,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification), Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

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