Multidisciplinary Approaches for Developmental Research with Individuals with DSD (R03) | RFA HD 16 022

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 16 022

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity titled "Multidisciplinary Approaches for Developmental Research with Individuals with DSD (R03)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-HD-16-022) supports small, focused research projects aimed at improving the evidence base for care and developmental outcomes among individuals with disorders of sex development (DSD) and their families. DSD conditions are relatively rare and often involve complex medical, surgical, psychological, and social considerations across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. This announcement is designed to encourage multidisciplinary work that brings together relevant clinical and research expertise to address unanswered questions in diagnosis, treatment decisions, long-term outcomes, and day-to-day management. A major program goal is also to help establish a broader research consortium, meaning a network of investigators who can collaborate, harmonize measures, and share data to accelerate progress in a field where single-site studies often struggle with limited sample sizes.

The FOA specifically invites applications that fit into one of four primary research areas. The first area focuses on improving the diagnosis of DSD, which can include advancing diagnostic pathways, refining phenotyping, improving interpretation of genetic and endocrine testing, and reducing the time and uncertainty families experience while seeking answers. The second area targets outcomes related to genitosurgery and gender assignment, emphasizing careful evaluation of short- and long-term results, potential benefits and risks, and how early clinical decisions may shape physical health, sexual function, satisfaction, and well-being over time. The third area centers on psychosocial and functional impacts on development, encouraging studies that look beyond medical endpoints to consider mental health, identity development, family functioning, peer relationships, stigma, quality of life, school and social participation, and overall adaptive functioning. The fourth area addresses improving clinical management of DSD more broadly, which can include care models, multidisciplinary team approaches, communication strategies with patients and families, shared decision-making, transition from pediatric to adult services, and approaches that support both physical outcomes and psychosocial well-being.

This opportunity uses the NIH R03 mechanism, which is intended for pilot or feasibility studies and other small-scale projects that can generate preliminary data, test methods, or explore innovative approaches that may later justify larger grants. The posted award ceiling for this FOA is $50,000. It is categorized as a discretionary grant under funding activity areas that include education, health, income security, and social services, and it lists CFDA numbers 93.394, 93.395, 93.399, and 93.865. The original closing date provided is December 9, 2015, and the creation date is September 14, 2015.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicant organizations, reflecting an interest in supporting research capacity across clinical settings, universities, and community-linked institutions. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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 governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This breadth signals an intent to include diverse populations and perspectives, and to encourage research that can be responsive to different healthcare contexts and community needs.

In practical terms, the NIH is looking for projects that produce actionable knowledge about how to best support individuals with DSD across development, while also strengthening collaboration and data-sharing in the field. Because DSD conditions are uncommon and heterogeneous, the emphasis on building a consortium and shared research infrastructure is a central feature: it increases the likelihood that findings will be comparable across studies, that sample sizes can grow through multi-site coordination, and that lessons learned can translate into clearer clinical guidance and better-informed decision-making for patients, families, and care teams.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Multidisciplinary Approaches for Developmental Research with Individuals with DSD (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.394, 93.395, 93.399, 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2015-09-14.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2015-12-09. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• 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 HD 16 022

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