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Navigator Emergency Department Diversion Models for Non-Urgent Mental Health Concerns (R34 Clinical Trial Required)

US National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant open #PAR-25-288
Response due Jan 07, 2028 · 00:00 UTC

Summary

This NIH funding opportunity (PAR-25-288) solicits R34 clinical trial planning grant applications focused on developing and piloting Navigator-based Emergency Department (ED) diversion models for individuals presenting with non-urgent mental health concerns. The goal is to design, refine, and test models that redirect appropriate patients away from crowded EDs toward more suitable community mental health resources. As an R34 mechanism, awards support the planning and feasibility phase of a future full-scale clinical trial. The opportunity is open from November 2024 through January 2028, allowing multiple submission cycles.

What they want

Applicants must propose research planning activities for a clinical trial that evaluates navigator-based diversion interventions at emergency departments for patients with non-urgent mental health needs. This includes: (1) developing and refining the intervention model and protocol; (2) establishing partnerships with ED and community mental health settings; (3) conducting feasibility and pilot work to inform a future full-scale trial; and (4) producing the planning documents, manuals, and data necessary to support a subsequent R01 or equivalent large-scale clinical trial application. A clinical trial is required under this announcement.
Deliverables
  • Clinical trial planning documents and protocol
  • Feasibility/pilot study results
  • Intervention manual and model refinement documentation
  • Partnership agreements with ED and community mental health organizations
  • Data to support future full-scale clinical trial application
Technical requirements
  • Clinical trial is required (not optional)
  • R34 planning grant mechanism
  • Must address navigator-based ED diversion models
  • Must focus on non-urgent mental health presentations
  • Pilot/feasibility work must inform a future large-scale trial

How they evaluate

  • Scientific merit and innovation
  • Feasibility of the proposed approach
  • Qualifications and experience of the research team
  • Adequacy of the clinical trial planning design
  • Relevance to NIH program priorities
Submission: Electronic submission via Grants.gov federal grants portal

Risks & flags

  • No dollar value or award ceiling disclosed — applicants cannot assess competitiveness of budget requests
  • Extremely long open window (over 3 years) suggests rolling submissions but makes competitive landscape opaque
  • R34 mechanism is restrictive by design — only planning/feasibility work funded, not full implementation

Market context

inferred from NAICS
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
NAICS 541711
US market size
$2.0T
Typical award
$25K – $50M
Typical buyers
All federal civilianDoDStates
Commonly required
8(a)WOSBSDVOSBPE/PMP

Sector-level estimate — full code lookup not yet in catalog.

Navigator Emergency Department Diversion M…
Due Jan 07
Onboard ↗