Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54)- Clinical Trials Optional | RFA MD 18 012

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 18 012

The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54) - Clinical Trials Optional funding opportunity (RFA-MD-18-012) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen the United States research enterprise by building and expanding health-science research capacity at institutions that have a long-standing, demonstrated commitment to educating underrepresented students and/or providing health care services to medically underserved communities. In practical terms, this program supports the creation or enhancement of specialized research centers that can compete more effectively on the national stage, especially in fields tied to minority health and health disparities. Because the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U54), recipients should expect substantial federal program involvement compared with a standard grant, typically meaning closer collaboration with NIH on program oversight, milestones, and center-level expectations.

The program emphasizes several interconnected goals. First, it aims to enhance institutional research capacity in basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research, which often involves upgrading shared resources, improving research infrastructure, strengthening administrative and regulatory capabilities, and supporting core facilities that multiple investigators can use. Second, it seeks to increase the competitiveness of investigators at all career stages so they are more successful in securing extramural funding, particularly from NIH. A key focus here is enabling investigators to build strong preliminary data, publish competitively, and develop fundable research programs, with special attention to conditions and diseases that disproportionately affect minority and other health disparity populations. Third, the program is structured to create an environment that supports career development and advancement, with particular emphasis on nurturing new and early-stage investigators through mentoring, training, and structured opportunities to transition toward independent funding.

In addition to capacity building and investigator development, the RCMI program is explicitly oriented toward improving the overall quality and impact of scientific inquiry related to minority health and health disparities. This includes encouraging rigorous study design, promoting high standards in data management and analysis, and aligning research priorities with the health needs of communities that experience unequal disease burden and barriers to care. Another central objective is to establish and sustain meaningful relationships with community-based organizations. Rather than treating communities as peripheral stakeholders, the program encourages genuine partnerships that can improve the relevance of research questions, strengthen recruitment and retention in studies, support dissemination of results, and help translate findings into real-world health improvements.

Eligibility is centered on U.S.-based institutions of higher education and related organizations, including public and state-controlled universities and private universities, along with other eligible entities described in the full announcement. The opportunity specifically calls out institutions that serve populations historically underrepresented in biomedical and health-related research, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and foreign components are not allowed under NIH policy for this opportunity; similarly, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible. Applicants are expected to consult the full funding announcement for detailed definitions, institutional requirements, and any additional eligibility conditions.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary federal funding opportunity in the health category, listed under CFDA 93.307. The original posting information indicates a creation date of September 20, 2018, and an original closing date of November 21, 2018. The title includes "Clinical Trials Optional," meaning proposed center activities and supported research may include clinical trials but are not required to do so, allowing applicants to tailor their center focus across basic, behavioral, clinical, or translational work as appropriate to their institutional strengths and community needs.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54)- Clinical Trials Optional" 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 2018-09-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-11-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for RFA MD 18 012

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