Using Information Technology to Support Systematic Screening and Treatment of Depression in Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 492

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 492

This National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity, PA-18-492, supports exploratory research on how information technology can be used to make depression screening and depression care more systematic, reliable, and scalable for people receiving cancer care. The focus is on real-world oncology settings, recognizing that depression is common in cancer patients and often goes under-identified or undertreated when clinics lack consistent workflows, staffing, or follow-up systems. Projects are expected to look beyond general discussions of digital health and instead develop or refine concrete, IT-enabled approaches that help oncology practices routinely detect depression, connect patients to appropriate treatment, and monitor outcomes over time.

A central aim is to identify and shape new IT-enabled delivery models that improve how depression screening and treatment are integrated into cancer care. This can include technology that supports standardized screening processes (for example, electronic tools that prompt screening at key points in the treatment timeline), systems that track results and flag patients needing follow-up, and platforms that coordinate care across oncology and behavioral health. The FOA is also interested in technology-supported treatment pathways, which might involve stepped-care approaches, tele-mental health integration, digital symptom monitoring, decision support for clinicians, patient-facing self-management tools, or methods for improving referral completion and treatment adherence. Importantly, the emphasis is not just on building a tool, but on understanding how the tool changes care delivery and how it can be implemented in settings with different constraints.

The opportunity places strong weight on feasibility and implementation in varied oncology practice environments. Applicants are encouraged to test whether a proposed IT-supported model can realistically be put into place in different types of clinics, including community oncology practices, safety-net systems, rural or resource-limited sites, and other settings that may not have robust embedded mental health services. A notable priority is improving care in practices serving underserved populations, where barriers like limited access to behavioral health providers, transportation challenges, language differences, financial strain, and uneven digital access can reduce the likelihood that depression is identified and treated. Proposed studies should pay close attention to workflow fit, staffing demands, training needs, technology usability, patient acceptability, privacy considerations, and how clinics will sustain the approach once a study ends.

Beyond feasibility work, the FOA also encourages projects that test the effectiveness of these IT-enabled models and their individual components. That means research may examine whether the new approach measurably improves key outcomes such as screening rates, timely diagnosis, treatment initiation, engagement with therapy or medication management, symptom improvement, quality of life, and care coordination. The announcement also signals interest in disentangling which elements of a technology-supported model drive results, such as automated reminders, clinical decision support, remote symptom tracking, navigator outreach, or telehealth visits. While the mechanism is R21, which is typically used for early-stage, high-impact exploratory studies, the expectation is still that proposed methods will be rigorous enough to generate meaningful evidence and guide later larger trials or broader implementation.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant under the NIH, listed under CFDA 93.399, and categorized within education and health-related research activities. The funding instrument is a grant, and the listed award ceiling is $200,000. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose studies that include clinical trial elements, but a clinical trial is not required if the research question can be addressed without one. The original closing date shown in the source data is May 7, 2021, and the creation date is December 11, 2017, which suggests this specific posting reflects an earlier cycle; anyone planning to apply would need to confirm current submission windows and any reissued or updated versions of the announcement.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that could realistically partner with oncology practices or operate within health systems. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA explicitly highlights additional eligible applicants such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This wide eligibility reflects the FOA's practical, equity-oriented intent: reaching diverse care settings and patient populations, including those historically underrepresented or underserved in both cancer care and mental health services.

Overall, the grant opportunity is aimed at accelerating pragmatic, technology-supported ways to ensure depression is not missed in oncology care and that patients who screen positive can actually access and stay engaged in effective treatment. The strongest-fit projects are likely to be those that combine thoughtful technology design with implementation-aware research plans, partner closely with oncology clinics, and directly address real barriers faced by underserved communities while producing usable evidence about what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Using Information Technology to Support Systematic Screening and Treatment of Depression in Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-07. (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 $200,000.00 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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