Research on the Mechanisms and/or Behavioral Outcomes of Multisensory Processing (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 18 545

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 18 545

The NIH funding opportunity titled "Research on the Mechanisms and/or Behavioral Outcomes of Multisensory Processing (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (FOA number PA-18-545) supports R01 research projects focused on how the brain and body combine information from more than one sense and what that combined processing means for perception, behavior, and real-world functioning. The central theme is multisensory processing, defined here as the integration or coordinated processing of at least two distinct types of sensory input that originate from different receptor systems and travel through distinct neural pathways, producing different perceptual qualities. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for studies that go beyond a single sensory channel and instead examine how multiple senses work together, how that interaction is implemented in neural systems, and how it shapes outcomes in everyday behavior and social interaction.

The announcement makes clear that multisensory inputs can involve the classic sensory modalities such as hearing, vision, taste, smell, balance (vestibular sensation), and touch. It also explicitly includes a broad set of body-related submodalities that are sometimes treated separately from the traditional senses, including thermosensation (temperature), proprioception and body position, pain, itch, and visceral sensations tied to internal organ states. This broad definition signals that proposed projects do not have to be limited to audiovisual integration, for example, and can instead address combinations like vestibular-visual coordination in balance and navigation, touch-proprioception coupling in skilled movement, or pain-itch interactions and their behavioral consequences, as long as at least two distinct sensory streams are being studied.

In terms of scientific scope, the FOA is designed to attract basic, behavioral, and clinical research that clarifies either (1) mechanisms of multisensory processing, (2) behavioral outcomes of multisensory processing, or (3) both. Mechanisms can include neural, computational, physiological, or systems-level explanations for how multisensory signals are represented, combined, weighted, gated, or reconfigured depending on context. Behavioral outcomes can include perceptual performance, decision-making, communication, learning, and other observable changes in action or social behavior that result from multisensory interactions. A key emphasis is that multisensory processing does not happen in isolation, so the FOA encourages proposals that also examine interactions between sensory integration and other neural systems and functions, including cognitive processes (such as attention, memory, and executive control), affective processes (such as emotion, stress, reward, and motivation), and motor processes (such as movement planning, coordination, and adaptation). This creates room for research that connects multisensory integration to broader brain function and behavior rather than treating it as a narrow perceptual phenomenon.

From an administrative and programmatic standpoint, this is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity using the R01 funding mechanism, with clinical trials listed as optional. That means applicants can propose studies that are non-clinical, human-subjects research without a clinical trial, or work that does meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial, provided it fits the goals and the participating NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) interests described in the full FOA. The announcement also notes an important routing guideline: multisensory applications that do not align with the specific research interest areas of the participating NIH ICOs should be submitted instead to the appropriate parent R01 announcement. In other words, this FOA is intended for multisensory projects that match the participating NIH components priorities, while projects outside those priorities are still potentially fundable through broader parent R01 pathways.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations and several special categories. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations). This range indicates NIH is open to proposals from many institutional settings, including organizations serving underrepresented populations and international research entities, as long as the proposed work fits the scientific goals and NIH requirements.

Key identifiers in the source information include the agency (National Institutes of Health), funding instrument type (grant), and activity areas spanning education and health. The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.279, 93.313, 93.399, 93.853, 93.866, 93.867), reflecting participation across different NIH components and program areas. The record shows an original closing date of 2019-01-07 and a creation date of 2017-12-21; in practice, applicants would need to check NIH systems for the current status or any reissued/updated versions of the announcement, but the summarized purpose and scope are centered on advancing rigorous, mechanistic and/or outcome-focused science on how multiple senses jointly shape perception, behavior, and related cognitive, affective, and motor functions.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on the Mechanisms and/or Behavioral Outcomes of Multisensory Processing (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121, 93.173, 93.213, 93.279, 93.313, 93.399, 93.853, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-01-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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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