Addressing Chronic Wound Trajectories Through Social Genomics Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 17 492

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 492

The NIH grant opportunity "Addressing Chronic Wound Trajectories Through Social Genomics Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number PA-17-492; CFDA 93.361) supports clinical research that connects a person s social environment to gene expression patterns and, ultimately, to chronic wound outcomes. The core idea is to move beyond a purely local view of wounds (for example, focusing only on skin repair techniques, dressings, or debridement) and instead study chronic wounds as a multidimensional condition shaped by biology interacting with lived experience. In this program, social genomics is used to examine how factors like stress, isolation, social support, neighborhood conditions, socioeconomic strain, discrimination, caregiving burden, and access to resources may become biologically embedded through changes in gene expression and related molecular pathways that influence inflammation, immune function, tissue repair, and healing.

The FOA is centered on chronic wound trajectories, meaning it encourages research that looks at risk for developing chronic wounds, the presence and burden of wounds once they occur, how wounds progress or worsen over time, and what predicts healing versus non-healing. Chronic wounds highlighted include diabetic foot ulcers and venous or arterial ulcers, but the broader emphasis is on persistent or slow-healing wounds that cause significant morbidity, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life. By focusing on trajectories, the opportunity implicitly supports designs that can capture change over time, identify turning points in deterioration or recovery, and link those clinical patterns to social exposures and molecular signatures.

A distinguishing feature of this announcement is the expectation that studies will integrate social environmental measures with molecular mechanisms. In practice, that typically means pairing robust assessment of social conditions (both harmful and protective) with biologic sampling and analytic approaches that quantify gene expression and related biomarkers relevant to wound biology. The aim is not just to show that social adversity correlates with worse healing, but to clarify the pathways through which social context "gets under the skin" and affects processes such as inflammatory signaling, immune cell activity, stress response systems, and tissue regeneration. The long-term payoff envisioned by the FOA is a stronger foundation for therapeutic strategies that reduce chronic wound risk, improve healing outcomes, and enhance quality of life by addressing both biomedical and social drivers.

The mechanism is an NIH R01 research project grant, and clinical trials are optional. That wording signals that applicants may propose a clinical trial if it is scientifically justified, but observational, mechanistic, and other types of clinical research are also appropriate. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided source text, and the number of expected awards is not listed there either. The opportunity was created on 2017-09-27, with an original closing date shown as 2021-01-07 in the source data, indicating it was announced earlier and had at least one defined due date in that period.

Eligibility is broad, consistent with many NIH FOAs. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities. The FOA also explicitly notes additional eligible applicant types 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, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and even non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility aligns with the topic s real-world relevance, since chronic wounds disproportionately affect diverse and often underserved populations, and the social conditions being studied can vary widely across communities and care settings.

Overall, this FOA is aimed at accelerating a more holistic, person-centered science of chronic wounds by bringing together clinical wound research, social and behavioral measurement, and genomics or gene expression biology. It encourages investigators to treat social conditions not as background noise but as measurable exposures that can shape molecular processes tied to wound development and healing, with the ultimate goal of informing interventions that improve outcomes in both the clinic and the community.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Addressing Chronic Wound Trajectories Through Social Genomics Research (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): 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-09-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-07. (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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