DHHS/OASH Call for Applications: FY17National Lupus Outreach and Clinical Trial Education Program in the U.S.

Deadline: 31 March 2017

The U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) is currently accepting applications from eligible entities for its program titled “FY17 National Lupus Outreach and Clinical Trial Education Program” under “Minority Health Community Programs to Improve Minority Health”.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes a host of symptoms and poses significant disease management and treatment challenges for patients and health care providers. In autoimmune disorders such as lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates auto antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs. These auto antibodies cause inflammation which damages organs and tissue. Although science has made significant advances in the treatment and management of this disease, there is still no cure for lupus. In the United States, lupus disproportionately affects African Americans, Asians, and American Indians. People of African Caribbean or African descent may also be at higher risk. Lupus is two to three times more common in African American populations. The age range for individuals with lupus also varies widely. Lupus can occur in very young children or the elderly; however, the average age range for diagnosis of lupus is generally between 15 and 44. In this age group, women with lupus outnumber men 12 to 1. Because these are childbearing years, the impact of lupus on women is particularly problematic.

National efforts to increase minority participation in clinical trials have been underway for the past twenty-five years, and recent evidence suggests that progress has been made in all phases of clinical trial research. To foster participation, researchers have explored barriers to participation such as patient mistrust, access to care, and perceptions of providers. Patient mistrust of medical research among minority populations, especially among African Americans, has been well documented. Patient beliefs that physicians might not fully explain the details of participation or would allow participation in clinical trials even if serious harm were possible is evidence that providers play a pivotal role in clinical trial participation. Access to health care, especially lack of insurance coverage, has also been suggested as a reason for lack of participation in clinical trials.

Program Priorities

Program will accomplish the following goals:

Priority A: Increase awareness and screening for lupus in minority populations;
Priority B: Increase the number of tested models designed to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices (or behavioral intentions) among health care providers and paraprofessionals who recommend clinical trial participation to minority populations, particularly groups underrepresented in clinical research.

Award Information

The estimated total funding allotted to this program is $2,000,000, with award ceiling of up to $325,000 and award floor of up to $250,000.

Eligibility Criteria

The following entities are eligible to apply:

State governments
County Governments
Special district governments
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)
Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education)
Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS status (other than institution of higher education)
Private Institutions of higher education
For-profit organizations (other than small business)
Small, minority, and women-owned businesses