Minority Health and Health Disparities Research

To support basic, clinical, social, and behavioral research; promote research infrastructure and training; foster emerging programs; disseminate information; and reach out to minority and other health disparity communities. The National Institute on

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) mission is to lead scientific research to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. To accomplish this, NIMHD plans, coordinates, reviews, and evaluates NIH minority health and health disparities research and activities, conducts and supports research in minority health and health disparities, promotes and supports the training of a diverse research workforce, translates and disseminates research information and fosters innovative collaborations and partnerships.

Individuals and public and private institutions, both non-profit and for-profit, who propose to establish, expand, and conduct research, promote or engage in research training, and outreach activities that contribute to improving minority health and/or eliminating health disparities. Endowment grants: Only NIMHD Centers of Excellence or Section 736 health professional schools (see 42 U.S.C. 293) with net endowment assets less than or equal to 50 percent of the national median of endowment funds at institutions that conduct similar biomedical research or training of health professionals are eligible for the research endowment awards. All applicants must have an NIMHD Center of Excellence Award or HRSA Centers of Excellence Award at the time of award of an NIMHD Research Endowment Grant. SBIR grants: Domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which the research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. Small business concerns must be at least 51 percent US owned by individuals and independently operated and/or at least 51 percent owned and controlled by another (one) for-profit business concern that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more individuals. The research must be performed in the U.S. or its possessions. STTR grants: Domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which the research is proposed, and have no more than 500 employees) that "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution.

Any non-profit or for-profit organization, company, or institution engaged in biomedical and behavioral research. Endowment grants: NIMHD Centers of Excellence or Section 736 institutions.

Applicants must present a research plan and furnish evidence required for research grant applications, PHS 398, (Rev. 05/01) as specified in the application form. Costs will be determined in accordance with HHS Regulation 45 CFR 75, as applicable, and the NIH Grants Policy Statement (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps/index.htm), which is a term and condition of all NIH grant awards. For-profit organizations' costs are determined in accordance with Subpart 31.2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Endowment grants: Requirements for the endowment application are specified in the application form (SF424 R & R). SBIR and STTR grants: Applicant organizations (small business concerns) must present a research plan that includes an idea that has the potential for commercialization, and furnish evidence that the scientific competence, experimental methods, facilities, equipment, and funds requested are appropriate to carry out the plan. To apply for SBIR Phase I and Phase II Grants, applicants must complete SF424 (R & R) Application for Electronic Submission. For general information on SF424 (R & R) Application and Electronic Submission, see these Web sites: SF424 (R & R) Application and Electronic Submission Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/forms-f/general/g.100-how-to-use-the-application-instructions.htm. General information on Electronic Submission of Grant Applications: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/ElectronicReceipt/.

Grants are intended to support the direct costs of a project in accordance with an approved budget, plus appropriate amount for indirect costs. Grantees must agree to administer the grant in accordance with the regulations and policies governing the research grants program of the Public Health Service. Endowment grants: Some qualifying institutions may use income earned from a research endowment corpus to support institutions in their effort to expand and add teaching programs in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and related areas, to improve facilities, to enhance student and faculty recruitment and retention, to develop instructional delivery systems and information technology in areas that will enhance minority health and other health disparities research activities, and to establish endowed chairs and programs. Other qualifying institutions must use income earned from a research endowment corpus to increase the institutions' investments in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students and students from other health disparity populations that matriculate at such institutions. This includes activities such as increasing student recruitment and retention, creating merit-based and need-based scholarships, establishing or enhancing tutoring, providing counseling, and designing student service programs to improve academic success, and faculty recruitment and retention. SBIR grants: SBIR Phase I grants are to establish the technical merit and feasibility of a proposed research effort that may lead to a commercial product or process. SBIR Phase II grants are for the continuation of the research initiated in Phase I and are likely to result in commercial products or processes. Only Phase I awardees are eligible to apply for Phase II support. STIR grants: STTR Phase I grants are to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed cooperative effort that has potential for commercial application. STTR Phase II grants are based on results of research initiated in Phase I and scientific and technical merit and commercial potential on Phase II application. See applicable funding opportunity announcements for specifics. (Grants.nih.gov)

All awards have a project period of one to five years. Non-competitive grant awards in successive years (year 2 up to year 5) are awarded based on the applicant's annual performance and the availability of funds. SBIR grants: Generally, Phase I awards are for six months, and Phase II awards are for two years. STTR grants: Generally, Phase I awards are for one year, and Phase II awards are for two years. All funds for any award must be obligated within five years from the date of the award. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released. See individual funding opportunity announcements as published in the NIH Guide: https://grants.nih.gov/funding/searchguide/index.html#/.

Applications for the various programs should be submitted to the NIH office that is responsible for the receipt of applications, and in such form and manner as the application prescribes. (All information pertaining to grants hereinafter, also apply to Endowment Grants unless otherwise noted). Research Grants: Applications must be prepared electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF 424 (Research and Research-Related). Visit the following link to obtain application information and instructions for all applications types including fellowships, SBIR/STTR (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html). Application must be made electronically through grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). For further assistance contact Grants Info, Telephone: (301) 435-0714, Email: Grantslnfo@nih.gov.

The major elements in evaluating all new grant and renewal grant applications include assessments of the scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; and the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project and the relevance and importance to the announced program objectives. SBIR and STTR grants: For Phase I grant applications, the criteria used are the soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; the technological innovation of the proposed research; the potential of the proposed suitability of the facilities and research environment; and where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for safeguarding human or animal subjects and/or protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. For Phase II grant applications, the criteria used are the degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff and consultants; the technological innovation, originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; the reasonableness of the budget requested for the work proposed; the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and, where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for safeguarding human or animal subjects and/or protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. All persons interested in any of the DHHS/NIH/NIMHD grant and/or contract program initiatives are strongly encouraged to carefully read the Request for Applications as they are announced annually in order to understand what is required for each unique program as well as meet each deadline in a timely manner.

Each eligible application will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate Scientific Review Group in accordance with NIH policies and procedures. The National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NACMHD) will conduct the second-level review of the applications.

Approximately 6 to 9 months. SBIR and STTR grants: Approximately 7 to 8 months.

Renewal of grant awards beyond the initial project period of support is contingent upon successful competition by the applicant and upon the appropriation of funds for this purpose.

A principal investigator or applicant may question the substantive or procedural aspects of the review of his/her application by communicating with NIMHD staff. A description of the NIH Peer Review Appeal procedures is available on the NIH home page http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-064.html.