Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54 - Clinical Trial Optional)

Background
The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program aims to expand the national capacity for research in the health sciences by providing cooperative agreement support to institutions that offer doctorate degrees in the health professions or in a health-related science and have a documented historical and current mission or historical commitment to educating underrepresented students, and for institutions that provide clinical services to medically underserved communities. The primary goals of RCMI specialized center awards are to enhance institutional research capacity, enable all levels of investigators at the recipient institution to become more successful in obtaining competitive extramural support, foster institutional environments conducive to research career development, enhance the tools for and conduct of research generally and specifically for improving minority health and reducing health disparities, and establish sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations to promote research efforts and the dissemination of research findings.

Grant Details
The RCMI specialized center awards aim to enhance institutional research capacity to conduct world-class basic biomedical, behavioral, population and/or clinical/health services research. The program also aims to enable all levels of investigators at the recipient institution to become more successful in obtaining competitive extramural support, foster institutional environments conducive to research career development, enhance the tools for and conduct of research generally and specifically for improving minority health and reducing health disparities, and establish sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations to promote research efforts and the dissemination of research findings.

The required components include Administrative Core, Research Capacity Core, Investigator Development Core, Community Engagement Core, and up to three Research Projects. Optional cores include Recruitment Core. The Center budgets are limited to $3,500,000 in annual direct costs. The maximum project period is 5 years.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include higher education institutions that have received an average of less than $50 million per year and less than $25 million per year of R01 total costs of NIH support for the past three fiscal years; award doctorate degrees in the health professions or the sciences related to health; have a documented historical mission or commitment to educating students from underrepresented populations in biomedical research or providing clinical services to medically underserved communities. Foreign institutions are not eligible. The program encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and women.

Period of Performance
The project period is determined by the scope of the proposed project with a maximum duration of 5 years. The earliest start date is December 18, 2023.

Grant Value
NIMHD intends to commit a minimum of $39 million in FY 2024 to fund 10-11 awards. Center budgets are limited to $3,500,000 in annual direct costs. Additionally, up to $500,000 in direct costs for alterations and renovation (A&R) is provided as a one-time cost expenditure for a Center in year one of the award period.

Place of Performance
The eligible applicant institution must be a domestic institution located in the United States and its territories.