NIH Grant Trends

Explore funding patterns and discover how research areas have evolved over time

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Enter a research keyword to analyze NIH funding trends over time

Search Term

R34

Total Projects

843

Total Funding

$378,940,244

Time Period

2021-2026

Trend Interpretation

Use this summary to decide whether the keyword looks promising, stable, or too narrow to act on without broader terms.

Cooling

Current momentum

2024

Peak funding year

-70%

Funding change across range

$532,064

Latest average award

Recent activity looks softer than the earlier window. Check adjacent keywords and institute fit before ruling the area out.

Project Count by Year

Number of grants awarded annually

Funding by Year

Total funding amount annually

Funding Distribution by Year

Average funding per project by year (bubble size represents total funding)

New Awards vs Renewals

New applications (Type 1) vs continuations/renewals (Types 2, 3, 5, 7) by year. Early-career researchers primarily compete for new (Type 1) awards.

By Project Count

By Funding Amount

Weekly Updates

Latest funding activity (Week ending 2026-05-10)

New Projects This Week

4

Total funding: $3,877,005

Trending Keywords

pneumonia40 projects
health36 projects
efficacy36 projects
alcohol34 projects
intervention33 projects

Recent Opportunity Signals

A short read on whether the latest projects in this topic look useful for job searches, mentor scouting, or lab outreach.

2

High-opportunity leads

2

Likely hiring signals

0

Training-friendly awards

67

Average opportunity score

This result set has several strong leads. Start with the highest-scoring labs before broadening your search.

Opportunity Landscape

Plotly bubble chart for recent awards. Bubble size and color highlight which grants may be more actionable for outreach, jobs, or closer review.

Recently Approved Grants

4 grants approved in the last 7 days

Total Funding

$3,877,005

Average Award

$969,251

Top Agency

NIH

Latest Approved Projects

1/2 Self-directed mobile mindfulness to address ICU survivors' psychological distress: the Lift RCT

DUKE UNIVERSITY, DURHAM, NC

$988,827

UG3

Grant Number: 1UG3AT013109-01

Agency: NIH

Mechanism: Non-SBIR/STTR

PI: Christopher Ethan Cox

Start Date: 2026-04-23T00:00:00

Terms: <ARDS><Active Follow-up><Acute Respiratory Distress><Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome><Address><Adherence><Adult ARDS><Adult RDS><Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome><Affect><Age><Anxiety><Behavioral><Bryophyta><Bryophyte><COVID associated pneumonia><COVID induced pneumonia><COVID pneumonia><COVID related pneumonia><COVID-19><COVID-19 associated pneumonia><COVID-19 induced pneumonia><COVID-19 pneumonia><COVID-19 related pneumonia><COVID-19 viral pneumonia><CV-19><Cardiac Failure Congestive><Characteristics><Clinical><Clinical Trials><Collaborations><Congestive Heart Failure><Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019><Da Nang Lung><Data><Demographic Factors><Disease><Disorder><Dose><Education><Education for Intervention><Educational Intervention><Educational aspects><Elements><Emotional Depression><Enrollment><Ensure><Failure><Financial Hardship><Goals><Health><Heart Decompensation><Heterogeneity><History><Hospital Admission><Hospitalization><Hybrids><Instruction Intervention><Intensive Care Units><Intervention><Lead><Lifting><Measures><Mental Depression><Mental Health><Mental Health Services><Mental Hygiene><Mental Hygiene Services><Methods><Mindfulness Approach><Mindfulness Therapy><Mindfulness Training><Mindfulness Treatment><Mindfulness-based Approach><Mindfulness-based Therapy><Mindfulness-based Training><Mindfulness-based Treatment><Morbidity><Mosses><Multi-center trial><Multicenter Trials><Outcome><PTSD><Participant><Patients><Pb element><Persons><Pneumonia><Population><Post-Traumatic Neuroses><Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders><Posttraumatic Neuroses><Preparedness><Psychological Health><QOL><QOL improvement><Quality of life><Questionnaires><RE-AIM><Randomized><Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance><Readiness><Recording of previous events><Research><Research Priority><Role><SARS-CoV-2 associated pneumonia><SARS-CoV-2 induced pneumonia><SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia><SARS-CoV-2 related pneumonia><SARS-CoV-2 viral pneumonia><Sampling><Self Direction><Self Efficacy><Sepsis><Severity of illness><Shock Lung><Site><Social support><Socio-economic status><Socioeconomic Factors><Socioeconomic Status><Spanish/English><Stiff lung><Structure><Subgroup><Survivors><Symptoms><Testing><Training><Training Intervention><Training Programs><Treatment Efficacy><Work><active followup><ages><chronic heart failure><clinical implementation><clinical trial participant><cohort><community engagement><compare to control><comparison control><coronavirus disease 2019><coronavirus disease 2019 associated pneumonia><coronavirus disease 2019 induced pneumonia><coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia><coronavirus disease 2019 related pneumonia><coronavirus disease associated pneumonia><coronavirus disease induced pneumonia><coronavirus disease pneumonia><coronavirus disease related pneumonia><coronavirus disease-19><coronavirus disease-19 pneumonia><coronavirus infectious disease-19><depression><depression symptom><depressive><depressive symptoms><design><designing><disease severity><economic hardship><economic strain><effectiveness/implementation design><effectiveness/implementation hybrid design><efficacy testing><emotion regulation><emotional regulation><engagement with communities><enroll><enthusiastic atmosphere><enthusiastic environment><experience><financial adversity><financial burden><financial distress><financial insecurity><financial instability><financial strain><financial stress><financial worry><follow up><follow-up><followed up><followup><future implementation><health and care delivery><health care delivery><health delivery systems><health services delivery><heavy metal Pb><heavy metal lead><histories><implementation framework><implementation intervention><implementation research framework><implementation science framework><improved><improvements in QOL><improvements in quality of life><innovate><innovation><innovative><instructional intervention><intervention design><intervention efficacy><m-Health><mHealth><manage symptom><mental health care><mindfulness><mindfulness intervention><mindfulness-based intervention><mindfulness-based stress reduction><mobile app><mobile application><mobile device application><mobile health><mortality><multiphase optimization strategy><novel><participant interview><physical symptom><pneumonia due to COVID><pneumonia due to COVID-19><pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2><pneumonia due to coronavirus disease><pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019><pneumonia due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2><pneumonia in COVID><pneumonia in COVID-19><pneumonia in SARS-CoV-2><pneumonia in coronavirus disease><pneumonia in coronavirus disease 2019><pneumonia in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2><post-trauma stress disorder><posttrauma stress disorder><primary outcome><programs><psychological distress><psychological symptom><quality of life improvement><randomisation><randomization><randomized, clinical trials><randomly assigned><reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance><response><response to therapy><response to treatment><rurality><screening><screenings><severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 associated pneumonia><severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 induced pneumonia><severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pneumonia><severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 related pneumonia><sex><skills><social role><social support network><socio-economic factors><socio-economic position><socioeconomic position><success><supportive atmosphere><supportive environment><symptom management><therapeutic efficacy><therapeutic response><therapy design><therapy efficacy><therapy response><traumatic neurosis><treatment design><treatment effect><treatment response><treatment responsiveness><wet lung>

Abstract: Cardiorespiratory conditions such as the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), congestive heart failure, COVID pneumonia, and sepsis are among the most common causes of mortality and morbidity. They are also notable for high rates of persistent psychological distress symptoms including depression, anxiety, and PTSD that worsen quality of life and outcomes of the underlying conditions. Yet there are few effective strategies able to overcome barriers of limited access to mental health care. To address this gap, we developed Lift, a completely automated and self-directed mindfulness training intervention, from the ground up with patient input. First, Lift reduced depression symptoms and improved quality of life compared to an education program control in a multicenter pilot RCT (R34 AT008819) among those recently hospitalized with serious cardiorespiratory conditions. Next, a 247-person multicenter 2x2x2 factorial optimization trial (U01 AT00974) compared 8 intervention versions differing by program introduction (app vs. therapist), dose (standard vs. high), and approach to in-the-moment symptom management (app vs. therapist). This trial demonstrated that while all versions had a strong effect on depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, the high dose, app-only version was optimized for effect, adherence, and retention. Given these promising findings, a formal test of the optimized Lift mobile mindfulness intervention’s efficacy is needed. Therefore, we propose a 4-site multicenter RCT with 6-month follow up among 450 cardiorespiratory failure survivors with elevated post-discharge symptoms of psychological distress. Our specific aims will: (1) Test Lift vs. an education program control delivered by similar platforms on symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and quality of life; (2a) Determine patient-level characteristics associated with a greater treatment response among a priori-defined subgroups using a heterogeneity of treatment effects analysis; (2b) Explore novel adherence metrics and outcomes; and (3) Ensure off-the-shelf intervention readiness with an exploratory mixed-methods hybrid type 1 implementation framework analysis that integrates quantitative trial implementation data with semi-structured trial participant interviews. Innovative and unique elements include a fully automated mobile health delivery system that personalizes content in response to changes in symptom trajectories, a focus on enrolling a population representative of the US, and strong community engagement with formalized roles. This project addresses national research priorities and could advance the field with a personalizable yet population-scalable therapy that has the potential to broadly improve mental health access.

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Efficacy of a Smartphone-based Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention to ReduceDrinking among Adults Experiencing Homelessness

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

$651,006

R01

Grant Number: 5R01AA031280-03

Agency: NIH

Mechanism: Non-SBIR/STTR

PI: Michael S. Businelle

Start Date: 2024-08-20T00:00:00

Terms: <21+ years old><Abstinence><Active Follow-up><Address><Adult><Adult Human><Alcohol Chemical Class><Alcohol Drinking><Alcohol abuse><Alcohol consumption><Alcohol dependence><Alcohols><Algorithms><Android App><Android Application><Area><Behavioral><Case Management><Cell Phone><Cell Phone Application><Cell phone App><Cellular Phone><Cellular Phone App><Cellular Phone Application><Cellular Telephone><Cessation of life><Chronic><Cities><Cognitive><Data><Death><Disease><Disorder><Disparity population><Ecological momentary assessment><Effectiveness><Employment><Enrollment><Ensure><Environment><EtOH abuse><EtOH drinking><EtOH use><Evidence based intervention><Exhibits><Funding><Future><General Population><General Public><Goals><Government Subsidy><Health><Health Care Utilization><Heavy Drinking><High Prevalence><Homelessness><Hour><Individual><Interpersonal Violence><Intervention><Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention><Life Expectancy><Machine Learning><Mediating><Mediation><Mental Health><Mental Hygiene><Mobile Phones><Monitor><Moods><Morbidity><Motivation><NIAAA><National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism><Nature><Negotiating><Negotiation><Oklahoma><Outcome><Ownership><Participant><Persons><Play><Population><Population Intervention><Psychological Health><Public Health><QOL><Quality of life><Randomized><Randomized, Controlled Trials><Reporting><Research><Risk><Risk Factors><Role><Sampling><Self-Help Groups><Sensitivity Training Groups><Services><Shelter facility><Smart Phone App><Smart Phone Application><Smartphone App><Societies><Support Groups><Survey Instrument><Surveys><T-Groups><Techniques><Technology><Testing><Training><Treatment Efficacy><Treatment outcome><Visit><Woman><Work><acceptability and feasibility><access to alcohol><active followup><adult youth><adulthood><alcohol abuse therapy><alcohol abuse treatment><alcohol access><alcohol accessibility><alcohol addiction><alcohol availability><alcohol co-abuse><alcohol dependency><alcohol dependent><alcohol ingestion><alcohol intake><alcohol intervention><alcohol problem><alcohol product use><alcohol related problem><alcohol treatment><alcohol use><alcohol use disorder><alcoholic beverage consumption><alcoholic drink intake><app on a smartphone><application on a smartphone><arm><care as usual><care costs><cell phone based app><co-morbid><co-morbidity><common treatment><comorbidity><compare cost><cost><cost comparison><cost effective><design><designing><determine efficacy><disadvantaged group><disadvantaged individual><disadvantaged people><disadvantaged population><disadvantaged subgroup><disparities across groups><disparity across subgroups><disparity among groups><disparity among subgroups><disparity between groups><disparity between subgroups><drink heavily><drinking><efficacy analysis><efficacy assessment><efficacy determination><efficacy evaluation><efficacy examination><efficacy testing><enroll><ethanol abuse><ethanol accessibility><ethanol availability><ethanol consumption><ethanol drinking><ethanol ingestion><ethanol intake><ethanol product use><ethanol use><ethanol use disorder><ethnic minority><evaluate efficacy><examine efficacy><excessive alcohol consumption><excessive alcohol ingestion><excessive alcohol intake><excessive drinking><excessive ethanol ingestion><experience><extreme drinking><flexibility><flexible><follow up><follow up assessment><follow-up><followed up><followup><followup assessment><group disparity><group inequality><group inequity><hazardous alcohol use><health care service use><health care service utilization><heavy alcohol use><homeless><houselessness><housing instability><iOS app><iOS application><iPhone><iPhone App><iPhone Application><implementation efforts><improved><indexing><inequalities among populations><inequalities between populations><inequalities in populations><inequality across populations><inequality among groups><inequality between groups><inequality in groups><inequities among populations><inequities between populations><inequities in populations><inequity across groups><inequity across populations><inequity between groups><inequity in groups><insight><instably housed><interest><intervention effect><intervention efficacy><lack of stable housing><literacy><mHealth therapeutic><mHealth therapy><mHealth treatment><machine based learning><metropolitan><mhealth interventions><mobile assessment><mobile based assessment><mobile health intervention><mobile health therapeutic><mobile health therapy><mobile health treatment><mobile phone app><mortality><negative mood><novel><phone app><phone application><pilot trial><population based intervention><population inequality><population inequity><population specific intervention><prediction algorithm><problem alcohol use><problem drinking><problematic alcohol consumption><problematic alcohol use><programs><racial minority><randomisation><randomization><randomized control trial><randomly assigned><recruit><reduced alcohol use><response><screening><screenings><self help organization><shelter><shelter housing><shelters><smart phone><smart phone based assessment><smartphone><smartphone application><smartphone based app><smartphone based application><smartphone based assessment><social role><subgroup disparity><substance use><substance using><tailored messaging><technology intervention><technology-based interventions><technology-enabled interventions><technology-focused interventions><therapeutic efficacy><therapy efficacy><treatment as usual><treatment effect><unequal group><unequal population><unhoused><unstable housing><unstably housed><usual care><young adult><young adult age><young adulthood>

Abstract: PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Approximately 1 out of every 3 adults experiencing homelessness has a current alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol use plays a central role in increased morbidity and mortality in this population, with some studies suggesting it plays a direct role in as many of 17% of deaths. Alcohol is also the leading cause of homelessness and contributes to its chronicity by inhibiting progress towards obtaining employment and a stable living environment. Shelter-based treatments are common, but compliance is often poor. There are many documented challenges to effectively implementing traditional evidence-based interventions in shelter settings. Smartphone ownership and use are now widespread even among unhoused adults, with a 2017 estimate indicating that the majority own a smartphone. This number is likely to continue increasing with the availability of government subsidized smartphones and service (i.e., Lifeline program). Technical literacy and interest in technology-based interventions are similarly high. Smartphone-based treatments may offer unique benefits for this population, given the many barriers to seeking and accessing traditional treatments. The proposed project will build upon preliminary data that were collected in our recently completed NIAAA R34 study. This study identified environmental, cognitive, and behavioral antecedents to alcohol use, used this information to develop an algorithm for delivering tailored messages based on imminent drinking risk, and then conducted a pilot trial in 41 adults experiencing homelessness. Results indicated intervention feasibility and acceptability and the intervention corresponded with a 50% decrease in alcohol use from baseline. In the proposed project, we seek to scale this preliminary work by conducting a randomized controlled trial. Adults currently experiencing homelessness who report hazardous alcohol use (N = 600) will be recruited from five shelters across the Dallas, TX and Oklahoma City, OK metropolitan areas. Individuals will attend screening and training visits, then complete one week of self-monitoring (via smartphone app) before being randomized to receive either standard shelter-based treatment (Usual Care; UC), or the Smart-T Alcohol intervention + UC. The Smart-T Alcohol intervention offers on-demand content and automated contextually tailored messages to reduce alcohol consumption. The intervention period will span eight-weeks (i.e., weeks 2-9), with follow-up assessments occurring at weeks 9, 13, and 26. All participants will complete brief daily smartphone-based surveys for 13 weeks. Aims of the project will be to assess the effects of the Smart-T Alcohol intervention on alcohol use and alcohol-related problems (Aim 1), intervention effects on key drinking risk indicators and their mediation of use outcomes (Aim 2), and identify specific subpopulations (e.g., women, racial/ethnic minorities, younger adults; Exploratory Aim 3) for which the intervention is most effective. Findings will provide a rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of the Smart-T Alcohol intervention and guide future smartphone-based interventions for this population.

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Our Family, Our Voices: An Efficacy Trial Of An Intervention Utilizing Family-Based Assets To Optimize HIV Prevention And Care Outcomes For Black Sexual and Gender Minorities In House Ball Communities

SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY

$1,250,162

R01

Grant Number: 1R01MD021145-01

Agency: NIH

Mechanism: Non-SBIR/STTR

PI: Marlon Murtha Bailey

Start Date: 2026-05-06T00:00:00

Terms: <AAMSM><AIDS Virus><AIDS care><AIDS prevention><AIDS test><AIDS/HIV test><Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus><Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus><Active Follow-up><Active Learning><Address><Adoption><Advocacy><Advocate><Affect><African American MSM><African-American men who have sex with men><Application Context><Area><Attitude><BMSM><Behavior><Biometrics><Biometry><Biostatistics><Black><Black race><Caring><Cities><Clinical><Cluster randomization trial><Cluster randomized trial><Cognitive Discrimination><Collaborations><Communicable Diseases><Communities><Community Networks><Cooperative Learning><Data Analyses><Data Analysis><Development><Discrimination><Effectiveness of Interventions><Elements><Ensure><Epidemic><Epidemiology><Ethnography><Evaluation><Experiential Learning><Face><Family><Fathers><Focus Groups><Gays><Gender><Gender and Sexual Minorities><Gender expansive><Generalized Growth><Geographic Area><Geographic Locations><Geographic Region><Geographical Location><Geography><Growth><HIV><HIV Care><HIV Prevention><HIV disease status><HIV infection status><HIV intervention><HIV medical care><HIV patient care><HIV related care><HIV related patient care><HIV serostatus><HIV status><HIV test><HIV therapeutic><HIV therapy><HIV treatment><HIV-1 care><HIV-1 intervention><HIV-1 prevention><HIV-1 test><HIV-1 therapeutic><HIV-1 therapy><HIV-1 treatment><HIV-2 test><HIV/AIDS prevention><HIV1 infection status><HIV1 status><Health><Health Care><Human Immunodeficiency Virus therapy><Human Immunodeficiency Virus treatment><Human Immunodeficiency Viruses><Human immunodeficiency virus test><Indigenous><Individual><Infectious Diseases><Infectious Disorder><Intervention><Intervention Trial><Interventional trial><Interview><Investigators><Knowledge><LAV-HTLV-III><Latine><Latinx><Leadership><Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus><MSM><Maintenance><Male Homosexuality><Man who have sex with Man><Measures><Mentorship><Methods><Mothers><NCMHD><NIH><NIMHD><National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities><National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities><National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities><National Institutes of Health><New York City><Outcome><Outcome Assessment><PRISM framework><PRISM model><Phase><Population><Position><Positioning Attribute><PrEP><Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model><Pragmatic, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model><Prevent HIV><Prevention><Randomized><Research><Research Personnel><Researchers><Role><Self Efficacy><Services><Sexual and Gender Minorities><Sexuality><Site><Structure><Testing><Theology><Tissue Growth><Training><United States National Institutes of Health><Viral><Virus-HIV><Voice><Work><active followup><antiretroviral therapy><antiretroviral treatment><barrier to testing><black MSM><black men who have sex with men><care of HIV-1><care outcomes><combat><community barrier><community based organizations><community organizations><community-level barrier><contextual factors><data interpretation><design><designing><determine efficacy><developmental><efficacy analysis><efficacy assessment><efficacy determination><efficacy evaluation><efficacy examination><efficacy trial><empowerment><epidemiologic><epidemiological><ethnographic><evaluate efficacy><examine efficacy><experience><faces><facial><family structure><follow up><follow-up><followed up><followup><gay male><gay man><gay men><geographic site><health care outcomes><homosexual men><human immunodeficiency virus care><hurdle to testing><implementation science><improved><marginalization><meeting><meetings><member><men><men having sex with men><men who have sex with men><men who have sex with other men><multidisciplinary><obstacle to testing><ontogeny><post intervention><pre-exposure prophylaxis><prevent AIDS><prevent human immunodeficiency virus><primary outcome><randomisation><randomization><randomly assigned><recruit><sexual minority community><sexual minority group><sexual minority individual><sexual minority people><sexual minority population><shared decision making><skills><social role><social stigma><social structural><social structure><socio-structural><sociostructural><stigma><success><systemic barrier><systemic hurdle><systemic obstacle><testing barrier><testing hurdle><testing obstacle><trans-women><transgender women><transwoman><transwomen><treat HIV><treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus><uptake>

Abstract: Originating within urban Black and Latinx communities, the House Ball Community (HBC) is a gender- and sexuality expansive population facing overlapping hardships such as stigma and family rejection that contribute to their overrepresentation in the HIV epidemic. The HBC population, estimated at 8,000 nationwide, is concentrated in New York City (NYC) with growth in the US South and includes a large proportion of Black Gender and Sexual Minority (BGSM) individuals, primarily Black and Latinx gay men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen and men. BGSM remain deeply impacted by the US HIV epidemic, with low uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and limited HIV care engagement due to stigma and systemic barriers, particularly in the US South. Despite the HBC’s longstanding role as a site for advocacy and normative change within the broader BGSM community, the HBC has received minimal targeted HIV treatment/prevention efforts and remains severely understudied. Our Family, Our Voices (OFOV) addresses these gaps through a community-driven, HIV status-neutral, gender-expansive, group-level intervention developed in collaboration with the HBC. Leveraging the HBC’s hierarchical family structure (e.g., house mother, house father), OFOV’s intervention format includes a family-based retreat for HBC members to empower them to advocate for their own health, cultivate leadership skills, and improve clinical outcomes. OFOV builds on core elements of Many Men, Many Voices (3MV), the only CDC “best evidence” intervention for Black gay MSM that has demonstrated increased HIV testing rates. Previously adapted in NYC (R34 MH124082), OFOV has shown feasibility, but further research in a powered study is needed to evaluate efficacy and scalability across 3 areas, including NYC: Aim 1 (pre-intervention phase): Tailor OFOV materials to local contexts through collaborations with indigenous Black gay CBOs in Atlanta and Dallas. Aim 1 (intervention phase): Conduct a cluster-randomized stepped wedge trial with 27 HBC houses (≥ 20 members each) to evaluate OFOV’s efficacy. Primary outcomes include engagement and retention in HIV prevention (testing, PrEP) and care (antiretroviral therapy (ART), viral suppression) at baseline, 3, 6, and 12-months post-intervention, with 24- and 36- month maintenance periods. Hypotheses include increased leadership skills and HIV-related self-efficacy. Aim 2 (post-intervention phase): Use a mixed-methods approach to identify contextual factors influencing OFOV adoption and implementation. Aim 2 (post-intervention phase): Explore how leadership training impacts community norms and behaviors, hypothesizing high acceptability and adaptability across geographic and cultural settings. The NIMHD framework will guide qualitative work (in Aims 1 and 2) with HBC members and house leaders (directly exposed and unexposed to OFOV) to assess individual, interpersonal, and community-level barriers and facilitators to sustainability. Collaborations with HBC leaders, CBOs, and a multidisciplinary team will ensure cultural relevance, sustainability, and implementation feasibility across jurisdictions.

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Sensory Adapted Dental Environments to Enhance Oral Care for Children with and without Dental Fear and Anxiety

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles, CA

$987,010

UH3

Grant Number: 5UH3DE031222-05

Agency: NIH

Mechanism: Non-SBIR/STTR

PI: Leah I. Stein Duker

Start Date: 2022-04-01T00:00:00

Terms: <0-11 years old><6 year old><6 years of age><Anxiety><Appointment><Auditory><Behavior><Behavioral><Buccal Cavity><Buccal Cavity Head and Neck><Caring><Cavitas Oris><Child><Child Behavior><Child Care><Child Youth><Childhood><Children (0-21)><Children's Hospital><Clinic><Clinical Trials><Consumer Satisfaction><Cooperative Agreements><Dental><Dental Anxiety><Dental Care><Dental Clinics><Dental Fear><Dental Phobia><Dental Procedure><Dentists><Distress><Electrodermal Response><Elements><Emotional well being><Environment><Exhibits><Fear><Feels well><Fluorides><Fright><Funding><Galvanic Skin Response><General Anesthesia><Goals><Gustation><Intervention><Los Angeles><Mediating><Mediator><Methodology><Modeling><Modification><Mouth><NIDCR><NIDR><National Institute of Dental Research><National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research><Noise><Normal mental condition><Normal mental state><Normal psyche><Odontophobia><Olfaction><Oral><Oral Examination><Oral cavity><Oral health><Outcome><Pain><Painful><Participant><Pediatric Hospitals><Phase><Physiologic><Physiological><Pilot Projects><Population><Procedures><Prophylactic treatment><Prophylaxis><Protocol><Protocols documentation><Psychogalvanic Reflex><Psychological Well Being><Puericulture><QOC><Quality of Care><Randomized><Reaction><Research><Research Design><Risk Factors><Role><Root Canal Therapy><Sedation procedure><Sense of well-being><Sensory><Services><Site><Skin Electric Conductance><Smell><Smell Perception><Study Type><Tactile><Taste><Taste Perception><Techniques><Testing><Touch><Touch sensation><Treatment Efficacy><U-Series Cooperative Agreements><Visual><Well in self><Work><acceptability and feasibility><age 6><age 6 years><anxiety reduction><anxious><arm><autistic children><children on the autism spectrum><children with ASD><children with autism><children with autism spectrum disorder><dental health><dental service><effectiveness trial><emotional wellbeing><emotional wellness><ethnic diversity><ethnically diverse><experience><gustatory perception><gustatory processing><gustatory response><health related quality of life><improved><innovate><innovation><innovative><intervention cost><intervention effect><intervention efficacy><kids><mental well-being><mental wellbeing><mental wellness><novel><odor perception><olfactory perception><oral care><pediatric><perceptual stimulus><physicochemical phenomena related to the senses><pilot study><primary outcome><procedural costs><procedure cost><psychological wellbeing><psychological wellness><randomisation><randomization><randomized, clinical trials><randomly assigned><recruit><response><root canal surgery><satisfaction><secondary analysis><secondary outcome><sedation><self wellness><sense of wellbeing><sensory stimulus><six year old><six years of age><skin conductance><social observations><social role><sound><study design><tactile sensation><taste processing><taste response><therapeutic efficacy><therapy efficacy><trial planning><video delivered><video delivery><youngster>

Abstract: PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) characterizes up to 42% of the pediatric population and predicts negative behaviors in the dental clinic, irregular appointment attendance, need for general anesthesia, and poor oral health. Sensory over-responsivity (SOR), which occurs in up to 33% of the pediatric population, is a likely contributor to DFA and may also occur independently from DFA. In the dental clinic, children with SOR may exhibit behavioral overreactions to lights, sounds, touch, and other sensory stimuli, leading to disruptive behaviors akin to those associated with DFA. This project will test the Sensory Adapted Dental Environment (SADE), a novel intervention which provides soothing visual, auditory, and tactile input to reduce children’s anxiety or fear during dental treatment. In our previous NIDCR-funded R34 study, SADE reduced physiological anxiety and behavioral distress in both children with autism and typically developing children. Because SADE utilizes sensory modifications as its key active ingredient, it complements – and could be combined with – anxiety-reducing strategies such as modeling, a strategy based on social observation and imitation. Research participants will be 312 ethnically diverse children aged 6-12 years, 156 with DFA and 156 without. Using a randomized counterbalanced study design, each child will undergo two dental cleanings 4-6 months apart in two of four conditions: SADE in conjunction with video-based modeling (SADE-VBM), SADE alone (SADE), video-based modeling alone (VBM), and a regular dental environment (RDE). As acceptability and feasibility of the SADE intervention and procedures have been established in our pilot work, in our UG3 planning phase we will assess only the three new elements of the proposed study – content and delivery of VBM videos, use of a weighted blanket, and recruitment techniques in new settings. In the UH3 phase, the specific aims are to conduct a randomized clinical trial to: test SADE-VBM, SADE, VBM, and RDE’s relative effects on physiological anxiety and behavioral distress during dental cleaning, as well as on secondary outcomes (Aim 1); assess whether physiological anxiety mediates each interventions’ effect on behavioral distress, and if DFA and SOR moderate intervention effects on physiological anxiety and behavioral distress (Aim 2); and conduct exploratory analyses to examine DFA and SOR’s unique and interactive contributions to overall levels of in-clinic physiological anxiety and behavioral distress, the intervention’s cost implications, and other methodological issues such as treatment sequencing effects (Aim 3). This project is significant because it is the first full-scale RCT of a sensory adapted intervention to modify the dental environment for typically developing children. Completion of the study aims will enable refinement of the SADE-based approach to provide a simple, inexpensive, and highly scalable treatment model that we will later test in a multi-site effectiveness trial. Long-term project outcomes will have excellent potential to benefit countless children in the US who manifest disruptive anxiety reactions in the dental clinic.

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How to Read NIH Funding Trends

NIH funding trends show how many grants were awarded and how much money was allocated to a research area over time. A rising project count usually means growing interest from both applicants and review panels, while a flat or declining count may reflect shifting priorities, terminology changes, or consolidation into larger awards.

When you search a keyword on this page, the tool queries NIH RePORTER for all projects matching that term across the years you select. The results are grouped by fiscal year and displayed as line charts (project count), bar charts (total funding), and scatter plots (average award size). Together, these views help you understand whether a field is expanding, contracting, or holding steady.

It is important to compare at least five years of data before drawing conclusions. A single-year spike or dip can reflect reporting delays, one-time initiatives such as ARRA or COVID supplemental funding, or changes in how NIH categorizes projects. The trend interpretation panel above the charts provides an automated summary to help you contextualize the numbers.

What Affects NIH Funding Patterns

Several factors drive year-to-year changes in NIH funding for any given topic. Congressional appropriations set the overall NIH budget, which then gets distributed across 27 institutes and centers. Each institute publishes funding opportunity announcements that signal which research areas they want to support. When an institute increases its emphasis on a topic, more investigators apply and more awards are made.

Terminology evolution also plays a role. A field that was once called "gene therapy" may now appear under "cell and gene therapy" or "genetic medicine." If you search only one term, you may miss related projects that use updated nomenclature. Try searching multiple related terms and comparing the results to get a fuller picture.

External events such as public health emergencies can cause rapid shifts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, NIH redirected significant resources toward infectious disease research, which temporarily reduced funding in other areas. Understanding these context-dependent shifts prevents misreading a short-term dip as a permanent decline in interest.

Using Trend Data in Grant Applications

Trend data can strengthen the significance section of your grant application. If you can show that NIH investment in your research area has grown steadily over the past five years, reviewers are more likely to see your project as aligned with current priorities. Conversely, if funding is declining, you may need to frame your proposal in a way that connects to a growing adjacent area.

Use the opportunity landscape plot on this page to identify which institutions and agencies are most active in your area. This information helps you target the right NIH institute for your application and identify potential collaborators or letter-of-support writers at well-funded institutions.

Remember that trends are one input among many. A growing field also means more competition, while a niche area with stable funding may offer better odds for a well-positioned application. Pair trend analysis with study section preferences, recent RFA/PA announcements, and conversations with program officers for the most complete picture.

Frequently Asked Questions About NIH Trends

How often is the trend data updated?

The data comes from NIH RePORTER, which updates as new awards are processed. There can be a lag of several weeks between an award decision and its appearance in public records. Our tool queries the API in real time, so you always see the latest available data.

Why does the project count differ from what I see on NIH RePORTER?

Differences can arise from search scope, keyword matching, and fiscal year boundaries. Our tool searches project titles, abstracts, and terms fields. Direct NIH RePORTER searches may use different default fields or include subprojects that we filter out for clarity.

Can I compare multiple keywords at once?

This page supports one keyword per search. To compare topics side by side, use the Compare Topics tool, which shows overlay charts for 2-3 keywords with the same year range.

What do the bubble sizes mean in the scatter plot?

Bubble size represents total funding for that year. Larger bubbles indicate years with higher overall investment. The vertical position shows average award size, so a large bubble high on the chart means both high total funding and high per-project awards.

What these charts are for

Trend charts help you see whether a topic has sustained NIH activity, not whether a single future application will definitely be funded.

Use them to understand direction, institute attention, and mechanism mix before you make a strategic decision.

Avoid common misreads

A single-year drop can reflect terminology changes, reporting lag, or normal cycle variation. Compare multiple years and recent awards together.

For a deeper explanation, read Understanding NIH Grant Trends.

Recommended next step

After reviewing a trend, open the weekly award feed or PI search for the same keyword. That confirms whether the same signal appears in current project data.

Methodology details are documented in Data & Methodology.

Related guides

Read these guides to interpret what the trend lines actually mean before acting on them.

Data Analysis11 min read

Understanding NIH Grant Trends: What the Data Tells You and What It Does Not

A methodological guide to reading NIH funding trends responsibly, comparing years, and avoiding false conclusions from noisy data.

Read guide
Data Analysis11 min read

How to Use NIH Trend Data to Scout Emerging Research Opportunities

Learn how to read NIH funding trend data without overreacting to noise, and use it to scout stronger research, collaboration, and job opportunities.

Read guide
Data Analysis12 min read

How to Use Recent NIH Award Data to Time Your Application

A practical workflow for reading recent NIH awards, funding trends, and institute behavior to pick a stronger submission cycle — without overreacting to noise.

Read guide
Funding Strategy24 min read

Understanding NIH Funding Trends: How to Position Your Research for Success 2025

How to use NIH funding patterns to position a project, choose institutes, and avoid overreading noisy trend shifts.

Read guide

Featured Research Topics — Last 12 Months

A snapshot of NIH activity across high-interest research areas, drawn from the public RePORTER feed. Counts and example awards refresh daily. Click any topic to open a full trend analysis.

Alzheimer's disease

Neurodegeneration, biomarkers, and disease-modifying therapies.

4,060 NIH awards in the last 12 months

Recent example awards

  • CONGAS: "Caribbean Omics 'N' Genomics for Alzheimer Study"
    Carlos Cruchaga · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, MO · $101,153 · Feb 25, 2026
  • CONGAS: "Caribbean Omics 'N' Genomics for Alzheimer Study"
    Carlos Cruchaga · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, MO · $3,086,339 · Feb 19, 2026
  • Alzheimer Disease Genetic Analysis to Identify Potential Therapeutic Targets (ADAPTT)
    Jonathan Haines · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, OH · $1,256,627 · Feb 4, 2026
See full trend for Alzheimer's disease →

CRISPR & gene editing

Therapeutic gene editing, base editing, and prime editing.

3,777 NIH awards in the last 12 months

Recent example awards

  • CRISPR for tauopathy
    Claire Clelland · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA · $680,792 · Jan 30, 2026
  • Orthogonal CRISPR GEMMs
    MICHAEL MCMANUS · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, CA · $629,170 · Jan 26, 2026
  • Asymmetric CRISPR Approach for Nucleic Acid Quantification
    Changchun Liu · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT SCH OF MED/DNT, CT · $643,849 · Mar 30, 2026
See full trend for CRISPR & gene editing →

Cancer immunotherapy

Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T, TIL therapy, and beyond.

621 NIH awards in the last 12 months

Recent example awards

  • Cancer Immunotherapy: Basic Mechanisms Informing Clinical Applications & Combinations
    TERRY SHEPPARD · KEYSTONE SYMPOSIA, CO · $5,000 · Mar 3, 2026
  • Gut Microbiome and Cancer Immunotherapy Outcomes in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
    Veronika Fedirko · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR, TX · $927,329 · Mar 3, 2026
  • The GPR171 pathway in cancer immunotherapy
    Yuwen Zhu · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER, CO · $355,706 · Apr 2, 2026
See full trend for Cancer immunotherapy →

GLP-1 & metabolic disease

Diabetes, obesity, and weight-loss therapeutic mechanisms.

248 NIH awards in the last 12 months

Recent example awards

  • Synaptic and circuit mechanisms of central GLP-1 signaling in energy balance
    ZHIPING PANG · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES, NJ · $479,051 · Apr 23, 2026
  • Bone metabolism in adolescents undergoing GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy
    Madhusmita Misra · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, VA · $471,776 · Apr 24, 2026
  • Remote Loading of Melanocortin and GLP-1 Peptides in Polymers for Treatment of Obesity
    STEVEN SCHWENDEMAN · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR, MI · $231,000 · Apr 17, 2026
See full trend for GLP-1 & metabolic disease →

Long COVID

Post-acute sequelae and chronic infection-driven illness.

123 NIH awards in the last 12 months

Recent example awards

  • Lymphotoxin-dependent control of long COVID
    Alexei Tumanov · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER, TX · $234,715 · Feb 13, 2026
  • REVERSE-Long COVID: A Multicenter Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Immunomodulation (with Baricitinib) for Long COVID Related ADRD
    E ELY · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, TN · $6,778,156 · Feb 6, 2026
  • The neuroimmune mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 on synaptic transmission and plasticity
    Jianyang Du · UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCI CTR, TN · $385,080 · Dec 10, 2025
See full trend for Long COVID →