Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA MD 23 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 23 001

The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-MD-23-001) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen the United States research enterprise in the health sciences by investing in institutions that have long-standing, demonstrated commitments to educating students who are underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research and, in many cases, to providing care in medically underserved communities. In practical terms, the program aims to grow sustainable research capacity at eligible institutions by supporting research infrastructure and center-based activities that can elevate competitiveness, productivity, and impact in health-related research. Because this is a U54 cooperative agreement, awardees should expect substantial NIH program involvement compared with a traditional grant, with the project carried out in collaboration with the funding institute or center.

This opportunity sits in the health funding category and is tied to CFDA number 93.307. It is labeled “Clinical Trial Optional,” meaning applicants may propose clinical trials if they are appropriate for the center’s goals, but a clinical trial is not required. The overall emphasis is on building and expanding institutional and center-level capability to conduct strong health sciences research, particularly in settings that train diverse talent and serve communities that experience health disparities.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations, while still being anchored in the RCMI program’s core purpose. The opportunity highlights institutions that award doctorate degrees in the health professions or in health-related sciences and that can show both historical and current commitments to educating underrepresented students. It also underscores institutions that deliver health care and provide clinical services to medically underserved communities, reflecting an expectation that supported research capacity can connect meaningfully to real-world health needs. In addition, the announcement explicitly calls out several categories often associated with minority-serving or community-centered missions, 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). It also includes eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions, provided they meet the detailed eligibility rules in the full Funding Opportunity Announcement.

At the same time, the solicitation is clear about restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (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 under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed. Applicants need to structure proposals so that the applicant organization and the work supported under the award remain within allowable domestic boundaries.

The eligible applicant types listed in the source data cover a wide range of domestic entities, including 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 tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as permitted. Even with this broad list, the RCMI program’s intent still matters: competitive applications generally need to align clearly with the program’s mission of building research capacity at institutions that serve and train underrepresented populations and/or provide clinical services in underserved areas.

From a funding standpoint, the award instrument is a cooperative agreement, and the listed award ceiling is $3,500,000. The source data does not specify an expected number of awards. The original closing date for applications was March 1, 2023, and the opportunity record indicates a creation date of January 3, 2023. Anyone planning to pursue the program now would need to verify whether a reissued announcement or new cycle is available, since the provided closing date reflects the original submission deadline.

Overall, RFA-MD-23-001 is best understood as a center-focused NIH investment intended to expand national health research capacity by building durable institutional strengths in research, workforce development, and potentially community- and clinic-connected research, with eligibility and project design tightly aligned to domestic, minority-serving, and underserved-community-serving missions described in the full announcement.

• 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 2023-01-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-03-01. (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.

Apply for RFA MD 23 001

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