Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 24 001
The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54 - Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-MD-24-001) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen and expand the nations overall capacity to do high-quality health sciences research by investing in institutions that have a strong, documented commitment to educating underrepresented students and/or that provide clinical services to medically underserved communities. The program is aimed at building durable, institution-wide research infrastructure and support systems, rather than funding a single, narrow research project. As a U54 specialized center mechanism, it supports coordinated, center-style activities that can elevate an institutions ability to compete nationally in biomedical, behavioral, population, and clinical research, with an emphasis on issues connected to minority health and health disparities.
The core purpose of RCMI is capacity-building with a clear outcomes focus. The opportunity prioritizes five interconnected goals: first, improving institutional research capability so the recipient can conduct world-class research across basic biomedical, behavioral, population, and/or clinical domains; second, helping investigators at all career stages become more competitive for external research funding, particularly NIH awards, by strengthening the local environment, mentorship, resources, and scientific support needed to win rigorous peer-reviewed grants; third, creating an institutional culture and set of supports that actively develop research careers for postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and other early-stage investigators, recognizing that sustainable research excellence depends on building and retaining a strong pipeline; fourth, enhancing research tools, shared resources, and operational supports that improve research broadly while also sharpening the institutions ability to address minority health and reduce health disparities; and fifth, building and sustaining meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations so research questions, recruitment, implementation, and dissemination are grounded in community needs and so findings are shared back in ways that improve real-world impact.
Administratively, this is a discretionary NIH funding opportunity using the cooperative agreement instrument, which generally means NIH expects substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. It falls under the health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.307. The notice specifies that clinical trials are optional, meaning applicants may propose clinical trial activities if they are appropriate to the centers goals, but a clinical trial is not required. The maximum award amount listed is $3,500,000 (award ceiling), indicating a substantial level of support intended to underwrite center-level infrastructure, cores, and coordinated research capacity enhancements. The original closing date shown in the source information is December 18, 2023, and the opportunity record was created October 17, 2023.
Eligibility is broad in terms of organization type, reflecting the goal of reaching institutions and entities positioned to serve underrepresented populations and medically underserved communities. Eligible applicants include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The opportunity also allows nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), along with small businesses and other categories, provided they meet program-specific requirements. In addition, the opportunity highlights a set of institution types and community-connected entities commonly aligned with RCMI goals, 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). Faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions are also explicitly mentioned among other eligible applicants.
At the same time, the opportunity is explicit about restrictions related to foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed. In practice, that means the applicant organization and its proposed components must be U.S.-based and compliant with NIH rules that limit or prohibit foreign components under this announcement.
Overall, the RCMI U54 opportunity is best understood as an NIH investment in building long-term, sustainable research excellence at institutions that educate and serve populations historically underrepresented in biomedical research and/or that provide care in medically underserved settings. It supports a coordinated center approach that strengthens people (career development and mentorship), platforms (tools, shared resources, and research infrastructure), competitiveness (improved ability to secure external funding), and community connection (partnerships and dissemination), all with the larger goal of advancing minority health and reducing persistent health disparities.Apply for RFA MD 24 001
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.307.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-10-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-18. (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 $3,500,000.00 in funding.
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) U54 (Clinical Trial Optional) - RFA-MD-24-001
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) U54 (Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity, identified as RFA-MD-24-001. It is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement intended to strengthen and expand the nation's capacity to conduct high-quality health sciences research by investing in institutions with a strong commitment to educating underrepresented students and/or providing clinical services to medically underserved communities.
What type of NIH award is RCMI (U54)?
It uses the U54 specialized center mechanism. This is designed to support coordinated, center-style activities that build durable, institution-wide research infrastructure and support systems, rather than supporting a single narrow research project.
Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
It is a cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, NIH generally expects substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant.
What is the main purpose of the RCMI program?
The core purpose is capacity-building with a clear outcomes focus. The program is aimed at building long-term, sustainable research excellence and the institutional systems needed to conduct world-class research, compete successfully for external funding, and advance minority health and reduce health disparities.
Is this opportunity meant to fund a single research project?
No. The opportunity is focused on institution-wide capacity building and coordinated center activities, not on funding a single narrow research project.
What research areas does the program aim to strengthen?
The program is designed to elevate institutional capability across basic biomedical, behavioral, population, and clinical research, with emphasis on issues connected to minority health and health disparities.
What are the five priority goals of this RCMI opportunity?
The opportunity prioritizes five interconnected goals:
- Improve institutional research capability to conduct world-class research across basic biomedical, behavioral, population, and/or clinical domains.
- Increase investigator competitiveness for external research funding (particularly NIH awards) by strengthening mentorship, resources, scientific support, and the overall research environment.
- Develop and support research careers for postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and other early-stage investigators by building a sustainable pipeline and retention-focused culture.
- Enhance research tools, shared resources, and operational supports that strengthen research broadly while improving the institution's ability to address minority health and reduce health disparities.
- Build and sustain meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations so research is grounded in community needs and findings are shared back to improve real-world impact.
Are clinical trials required under this opportunity?
No. Clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose clinical trial activities if appropriate to the center's goals, but a clinical trial is not required.
What is the maximum award amount for this funding opportunity?
The maximum award amount listed is $3,500,000 (the award ceiling).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.307.
When was the opportunity record created, and what is the closing date listed?
The opportunity record was created on October 17, 2023. The original closing date shown is December 18, 2023.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include a wide range of organization types, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
- Regional organizations
- Faith-based or community-based organizations
- Eligible federal agencies
- U.S. territories or possessions
Does the opportunity specifically mention minority-serving institutions?
Yes. The opportunity highlights institution types and community-connected entities commonly aligned with RCMI goals, including 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).
Can foreign (non-U.S.) organizations apply?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. (foreign) component in its application?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed under this announcement.
What does NIH "substantial involvement" mean in this context?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement instrument, which generally indicates NIH expects substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. The specific form of involvement is not detailed in the provided description, but the cooperative agreement structure is explicitly noted.
What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
Based on the goals described, the intended outcomes include improved institutional research capability, stronger competitiveness for peer-reviewed external funding (especially NIH awards), better-supported and more sustainable research career pathways for early-stage investigators, enhanced shared resources and operational supports, and deeper, sustained community partnerships that improve research relevance and dissemination for real-world impact on minority health and health disparities.
What is the role of community partnerships in this opportunity?
Community partnership is a core priority. The opportunity emphasizes building and sustaining meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations so that research questions, recruitment, implementation, and dissemination are grounded in community needs, and so findings are shared back in ways that improve real-world impact.
Is this opportunity focused on minority health and health disparities?
Yes. The center approach and capacity-building activities are emphasized alongside an explicit focus on issues connected to minority health and health disparities, with the broader goal of advancing minority health and reducing persistent health disparities.
What is meant by "institution-wide research infrastructure" in this announcement?
In this context, it refers to durable research tools, shared resources, operational supports, mentorship structures, and coordinated center activities that strengthen the overall research environment and elevate the institution's long-term ability to conduct competitive research and secure external funding.
Is this opportunity considered a health-related funding program?
Yes. It falls under a health funding activity category and is administered through NIH.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Headquarters (HQ) Recreation and Visitor Services Program
Previous opportunity: Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA MD 24 001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA MD 24 001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Microphysiological Systems to Advance Precision Medicine for AD/ADRD Treatment and Prevention (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 24 040 Funding Number: RFA AG 24 040 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Efficacy and Safety of Amyloid-Beta Directed Antibody Therapy in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia with Evidence of Both Amyloid-Beta and Vascular Pathology (U01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA NS 24 013 Funding Number: RFA NS 24 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $6,700,000 |
| NIDCD Cooperative Agreement for Clinical Trials in Communication Disorders (U01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 050 Funding Number: PAR 24 050 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIDCD Low Risk Clinical Trials in Communication Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 051 Funding Number: PAR 24 051 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Development of Candidate Radiation/Nuclear Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 23 059 Funding Number: RFA AI 23 059 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Engineering and Preclinical Development of Biological Products that Eliminate HIV-infected Cells (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 23 060 Funding Number: RFA AI 23 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Advancing Hearing and Balance Research Using Auditory and Vestibular Organoids (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAS 24 058 Funding Number: PAS 24 058 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Advancing Hearing and Balance Research Using Auditory and Vestibular Organoids (R21-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAS 24 057 Funding Number: PAS 24 057 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Sustaining Impact for Youth Activity Apply for 72052124RFA00001 Funding Number: 72052124RFA00001 Agency: Haiti USAID-Port Au Prince Category: Health Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| USAID/Kenya and East Africa Social Behavior Change Activity Apply for 72061524RFI00001 Funding Number: 72061524RFI00001 Agency: Kenya USAID-Nairobi Category: Health Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| USAID/Cambodia Community Mobilization Initiatives to End Tuberculosis 2 (COMMIT 2) Apply for RFI 442 24 001 Funding Number: RFI 442 24 001 Agency: Cambodia USAID-Phnom Penh Category: Health Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| IND-enabling Studies for Platform Clinical Trials of Genome Editing in Multiple Diseases (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA RM 24 001 Funding Number: RFA RM 24 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Bidirectional Influences Between Adolescent Social Media Use and Mental Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 24 181 Funding Number: RFA MH 24 181 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Bidirectional Influences Between Adolescent Social Media Use and Mental Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 24 180 Funding Number: RFA MH 24 180 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAID Research Education Program Advancing the Careers of a Diverse Research Workforce (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 282 Funding Number: PAR 23 282 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $351,000 |
| NHLBI Clinical Trial Pilot Studies (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 049 Funding Number: PAR 24 049 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Genomic Medicine Research (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HG 23 048 Funding Number: RFA HG 23 048 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Exploratory Clinical Trial Grants in Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R61 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 24 035 Funding Number: PAR 24 035 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Clinical Observational (CO) Studies in Musculoskeletal, Rheumatic, and Skin Diseases (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 24 036 Funding Number: PAR 24 036 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: High Impact Specialized Innovation Programs in Clinical and Translational Science for UM1 CTSA Hub Awards (RC2 Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for PAR 24 054 Funding Number: PAR 24 054 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA MD 24 001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.