Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) (U54 - Clinical Trial Optional)
Funding Agency:
- National Institutes of Health
NIH established the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program in 1985 in response to Congressional interest in expanding the national capability for research in the health sciences by providing support to institutions that offer doctoral degrees in the health professions or health-related sciences and have a documented historical mission or historical commitment to educating underrepresented students or have a record of providing health care services to medically underserved communities. NIMHD recognizes the important role these institutions have played in supporting scientific research, particularly on diseases or conditions that disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minority populations and other U.S. populations that experience health disparities.
NIH Interest in Diversity
Every facet of the United States scientific research enterprise from basic laboratory research to clinical and translational research to policy formation requires superior intellect, creativity and a wide range of skill sets and viewpoints. NIH’s ability to help ensure that the nation remains a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation is dependent upon a pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds who will help to further NIH's mission (see NOT-OD-20-031). This funding opportunity provides support for participating RCMI institutions to facilitate the development of research capacity, research education of students, and the ability of faculty to pursue basic biomedical, behavioral, population and/or clinical/health services research, including but not limited to research related to minority health and health disparities.
Programmatic Approach
The primary goals of RCMI specialized center awards are to: (1) enhance institutional research capacity to conduct world-class basic biomedical, behavioral, population and/or clinical patient-centered or health services research; (2) enable all levels of investigators at the recipient institution to compete successfully for extramural support, especially from NIH, for research on diseases and conditions that disproportionately impact populations that experience health disparities; (3) foster institutional environments conducive to research career development and enhancement for post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty members, and other early-stage investigators; (4) enhance the tools for and conduct of research and specifically for improving minority health and reducing health disparities; and (5) establish sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations to promote research efforts and the dissemination of research findings.
Minority health refers to distinctive health characteristics and attributes of racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S. Minority health research is the scientific investigation of these distinctive health characteristics and attributes. Research may focus on risk or protective factors for conditions where outcomes may be worse or better, respectively, compared to an appropriate reference population, including projects that evaluate mechanisms and interventions to sustain or improve a health advantage. Research may also examine mechanisms and develop and evaluate interventions to reduce health and/or health care disparities within a particular group (or health care setting), defined as a preventable or avoidable health difference that adversely affects populations who experience greater obstacles to optimal health largely due to social, environmental, and/or economic disadvantage. Health disparities may be observed in the risks or prevalence for specific behaviors, as well as the incidence, prevalence, and mortality from conditions, diseases, and/or disorders. Health disparities also can be observed in healthcare access, quality, and utilization, and within the delivery of clinical care. More information is available at the following link: NIMHD Research Framework, https://nimhd.nih.gov/about/overview/research-framework/nimhd-framework.html
Center budgets are limited to $3,500,000 in annual direct costs, excluding alterations and renovation (A&R) costs in year 1 (see below) and recruitment costs in two designated years (see below). Applications with Research Projects in all three focus areas (basic biomedical research, behavioral research and/or population science, and clinical/health services research) may request the full $3,500,000. Applications with Research Projects in two focus areas may request up to $2,500,000 in annual direct costs. Applications with Research Projects in one focus area may request up to $1,500,000 in annual direct costs.
November 19, 2024
Nathan Stinson, Jr., PhD, MD, MPH
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Telephone: 301-594-8704
Email: stinsonn@mail.nih.gov
Rina Das, PhD.
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Telephone: 301-496-3996
Email: dasr2@mail.nih.gov