NIMHD Multiple Chronic Disease Disparities Research Coordinating Center (RCC) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA MD 21 008

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 21 008

The NIMHD Multiple Chronic Disease Disparities Research Coordinating Center (RCC) opportunity (RFA-MD-21-008) is a National Institutes of Health cooperative agreement (U24; clinical trial not allowed) funded through the Department of Health and Human Services. Its main purpose is to create a single, dedicated Research Coordinating Center that supports and connects a set of comprehensive research centers focused on health disparities tied to multiple, co-occurring chronic diseases. In practice, the RCC is meant to function as the central hub that helps these centers work as a coordinated network rather than as isolated projects, with an emphasis on improving how research on prevention, treatment, and long-term management of chronic disease clusters is organized, communicated, and shared.

A core expectation is that the RCC will coordinate cross-center activities and make it easier to run collaborative, network-wide efforts. This includes building and maintaining systems for data collection and related coordination so information can be gathered in consistent ways and used across the participating chronic disease centers. Just as important, the RCC is expected to actively promote collaboration and communication among investigators and with the broader research community, so that methods, findings, and lessons learned can circulate efficiently and support faster progress on reducing disparities. The RCC also plays a workforce development role by supporting skills development for early stage investigators, helping them gain experience and training opportunities connected to the network's work. In addition, the coordinating center is responsible for organizing and managing meetings, whether in-person or virtual, and for facilitating community engagement efforts so that the network maintains strong connections with communities affected by chronic disease disparities and can incorporate community perspectives into research coordination and dissemination.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, the opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, which usually means substantial involvement and partnership with NIH program staff compared with a standard grant. The funding opportunity listed an award ceiling of $3,000,000 and anticipated making one award. It falls under the Health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.307. The opportunity was created April 14, 2021, with an original closing date of June 11, 2021.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and governments. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education under those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other applicants as allowed under the additional eligibility guidance referenced in the announcement.

Overall, the grant is best understood as funding for the infrastructure and leadership needed to keep a larger chronic disease disparities research network running smoothly: standardizing and coordinating data-related activities, strengthening collaboration across research centers, building capacity among early career researchers, organizing network meetings and communications, and supporting community engagement so the research enterprise stays connected to the people and populations most affected by co-occurring chronic diseases and related inequities.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIMHD Multiple Chronic Disease Disparities Research Coordinating Center (RCC) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.307.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 14, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 11, 2021. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for RFA MD 21 008

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