Sex Hormone Induced Thromboembolism in Pre-Menopausal Women (R61/R33) | RFA HL 18 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 18 003

Sex Hormone Induced Thromboembolism in Pre-Menopausal Women (R61/R33), RFA-HL-18-003, is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity in the health area (CFDA 93.839) focused on explaining why and how female sex hormones and hormone-based therapies can raise the risk of blood clots in pre-menopausal women. The core scientific goal is mechanistic: the program is looking for studies that move beyond describing associations and instead clarify the underlying pathophysiology that links endogenous hormones and exogenous hormone exposures to both venous thromboembolism (such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism (such as clot-related arterial events). By pinning down the biological steps that lead from hormone exposure to thrombosis, the research is intended to sharpen understanding of thrombus formation in real-world clinical contexts where pre-menopausal women experience meaningful hormonal shifts or receive hormonal treatments.

A major emphasis is on hormonally relevant clinical situations in which clot risk is known to change, including the peripartum period, use of hormonal contraceptives, and assisted reproduction settings such as in vitro fertilization. The opportunity is framed around the idea that sex hormones may either initiate thrombotic pathways directly or amplify an existing baseline risk due to other factors, and that a better map of these pathways could improve clinical care. In practical terms, NIH signals interest in work that could help identify which women are at higher thrombotic risk when exposed to certain hormonal states or therapies, potentially informing screening, risk stratification, counseling, and prevention strategies. Another explicit downstream outcome is the possibility that mechanistic insights could point to new therapeutic targets or preventive interventions to reduce or block thrombus formation related to hormone exposure.

The scope is also defined by what it does not cover. This funding opportunity is not intended to support research centered on thromboembolism-related comorbidities in post-menopausal women, keeping the focus tightly on pre-menopausal populations and the hormone dynamics most relevant to them. Administratively, the mechanism is an R61/R33, which is commonly used as a phased innovation and development structure: an initial, milestone-driven phase (R61) supports early proof-of-concept or feasibility work, and a subsequent phase (R33) supports expansion or more comprehensive development if milestones are met. The listed award ceiling is $475,000, and the original closing date for the opportunity was 2017-06-20.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizational types, including 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/Indian housing authorities; and a wide range of nonprofit and for-profit entities (including small businesses, and for-profits other than small businesses). The announcement also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, along with faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. While foreign components of U.S. organizations are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-U.S. foreign institutions are not eligible to apply directly.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sex Hormone Induced Thromboembolism in Pre-Menopausal Women (R61/R33)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.839.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-06-20. (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 $475,000.00 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 HL 18 003

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