Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 032

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 032

The Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (PAR-20-032) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed to support small, focused research projects that build evidence around how interactions with animals affect human health and functioning. Using the NIH R03 mechanism, it is geared toward early-stage or narrowly scoped studies that can generate preliminary data, test feasibility, refine measures, or answer targeted questions that help move the broader HAI field forward. Clinical trials are allowed but not required, which means applicants can propose either observational/basic behavioral studies or intervention research depending on the question and design.

The FOA prioritizes three broad research areas. First, it invites work on how human-animal interaction influences typical and atypical child development and health. This includes studies that look at developmental trajectories, socio-emotional functioning, stress physiology, mental health, physical activity, learning-related outcomes, or family systems in children who have routine contact with animals. It also encompasses research relevant to atypical development, such as children at risk for or living with developmental, behavioral, or mental health conditions, where animal presence or animal relationships might influence outcomes positively, negatively, or differently across subgroups.

Second, the announcement seeks rigorous evaluation of animal-assisted interventions for both children and adults who have disabilities or who need rehabilitative services. The emphasis here is on testing whether structured programs that incorporate animals meaningfully improve outcomes in rehabilitation, functioning, or quality of life. Depending on the population, this could involve physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech-language goals, social skills, emotional regulation, PTSD-related symptoms, or other disability-related functional endpoints. Because the mechanism is an R03 with a relatively small budget, many projects in this category are likely to focus on pilot testing, intervention refinement, feasibility and acceptability, implementation considerations, and selection of appropriate outcome measures, though smaller clinical evaluations can also fit.

Third, the FOA supports research on the effects of animals on public health, including the cost effectiveness of involving animals in reducing and preventing disease. This area expands beyond individual-level outcomes to consider population-level impact and health systems questions. Proposed studies may examine whether animal involvement can reduce risk factors, support prevention strategies, improve engagement with care, or reduce healthcare utilization, and it explicitly welcomes economic and cost-effectiveness analyses that assess value relative to standard approaches. In practice, this encourages applicants to think about measurable public health endpoints, scalable models, and whether animal-involved approaches provide benefits that justify the resources, training, safety protocols, and program infrastructure required.

In terms of award parameters, the listed award ceiling is $50,000, consistent with the R03 small grant format, which generally supports limited-scope projects rather than large multi-site trials. The opportunity category is discretionary, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category falls under health, income security, and social services. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 93.865. The source information notes an original closing date of December 20, 2021, and a creation date of October 17, 2019, which is important for applicants to verify current availability or any reissued or related announcements if they are planning to apply now.

Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive to encourage multidisciplinary and community-relevant research. Eligible applicants include a wide range of government entities (state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education. Tribal participation is supported through eligibility for federally recognized Native American tribal governments as well as Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, with additional mention of Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. Housing-related public entities such as public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are also eligible. On the nonprofit side, both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education) may apply. For-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses themselves, and other applicant types are included as well.

The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories that reflect NIH interest in reaching diverse institutions and settings, 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also allows eligible agencies of the federal government, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Notably, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are listed among the other eligible applicants, indicating that international applicants may be able to participate when aligned with NIH policies and the specific FOA requirements.

Overall, this opportunity is aimed at strengthening the evidence base for human-animal interaction by supporting well-defined, hypothesis-driven studies or careful early-stage testing of interventions, with attention to developmental health, disability and rehabilitation contexts, and broader public health impact, including whether animal-involved approaches are cost effective.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Research (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-10-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-12-20. (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 $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.

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