Institutional Network Award for Promoting Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training (U2C - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 20 220

FAQs: Institutional Network Award for Promoting Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training (PAR-20-220)

What is PAR-20-220?

PAR-20-220 is an NIH funding opportunity called the Institutional Network Award for Promoting Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training. It supports the creation of an institutional training network intended to strengthen and accelerate research progress in kidney disease, urology, and hematology by building a connected training environment and trainee community.

What is the main purpose of this award?

The purpose is to build an integrated, high-impact institutional training network that brings trainees, mentors, and shared resources together under one coordinated strategy. The emphasis is on strengthening recruitment, training, career development, and long-term retention of researchers in kidney, urologic, and hematologic research.

What funding mechanism does this opportunity use?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism, described as U2C paired with TL1. A cooperative agreement generally indicates NIH expects to be actively involved as a partner in shaping the program and ensuring the network functions as a cohesive training environment.

What does it mean that NIH is "actively involved" under a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, NIH involvement means the agency is expected to partner with the awardee to help shape the program and to ensure the institutional network operates as an integrated, high-impact training environment, rather than functioning as separate, loosely connected efforts.

Are clinical trials allowed under this announcement?

No. Clinical trials are not allowed under this announcement. Training and supported research activities must remain within non-clinical-trial boundaries as defined by NIH policy.

What scientific areas does the training network need to cover?

The training network is focused on kidney disease, urology, and hematology, with an emphasis on developing researchers and accelerating progress across these related areas.

Is NIH encouraging one combined application or multiple separate applications?

NIH is explicitly encouraging institutions to submit a single, unified U2C/TL1 application that presents one coordinated strategy for engaging, recruiting, training, and retaining trainees across kidney, urologic, and hematologic research.

What does "integration" mean in the context of this program?

Integration refers to building a tightly connected community of trainees, mentors, and shared resources rather than creating separate training efforts that operate independently. The program emphasizes coordinated mentorship structures, shared educational programming, networking across departments and disciplines, and intentional career-development support.

What is meant by building a "trainee community"?

A trainee community implies participants are connected through coordinated mentorship, shared education and programming, networking opportunities across disciplines, and structures that support continued career development. The goal is to sustain trainees in the kidney, urologic, and hematologic research workforce over the long term.

Does the opportunity prefer any particular geographic structure for the network?

Yes. Geographic cohesion is a priority, and applications that cover a single metropolitan area are strongly encouraged. This reflects interest in networks where trainees can interact frequently, participate in shared programming, and access common facilities and resources with minimal coordination barriers.

What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant pool is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations, including public and private institutions of higher education; state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities.

Are certain institution types specifically encouraged or highlighted?

Yes. The listing explicitly calls out eligibility and/or encouragement for organizations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also references faith-based or community-based organizations and eligible federal agencies.

Can non-U.S. organizations apply as the main applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

Are any international activities allowed at all?

Yes, certain "foreign components" are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This means a U.S. applicant may incorporate well-justified international elements (for example, specific collaborations, resources, or experiences) as long as they comply with NIH rules and the overall award remains anchored in an eligible U.S. applicant organization.

What types of partners might be included in a single-metropolitan-area network?

The description suggests local or regional consortia can include universities, research institutes, hospitals, and community partners located within the same urban area, organized around a single training vision and governance structure.

What is the activity area and assistance listing information provided?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and is within NIH's health-related activity area. The listing references CFDA 93.847.

What is the closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed in the provided information is October 14, 2022.

Is the award ceiling listed?

No. The award ceiling is not specified in the provided listing.

Is the expected number of awards listed?

No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided listing.

In practical terms, what kind of program is NIH trying to build through this award?

NIH is supporting the development of a coordinated institutional training network that recruits and develops researchers in kidney, urology, and hematology through structured training, shared infrastructure, and an intentionally connected trainee cohort, without supporting clinical trial activities.