IDeA Program Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR)(U54 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 20 175

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 20 175

The IDeA Program Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR) (U54, clinical trial optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement opportunity designed to grow and strengthen clinical and translational research capacity in states and jurisdictions that qualify under the NIH Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program. At its core, the program is about closing research infrastructure gaps in historically under-resourced areas so investigators and institutions in IDeA-eligible locations can compete more successfully for external (extramural) clinical and translational research funding and can run higher-quality, more collaborative research programs that respond to local and regional health needs.

This funding supports the creation or expansion of statewide networks and/or multi-state regional networks that can provide shared infrastructure and coordinated services for clinical and translational research. The FOA emphasizes three main objectives. First, it funds the development and enhancement of infrastructure and skilled personnel needed to conduct clinical and translational research effectively in IDeA-eligible jurisdictions. In practice, this often means building or strengthening the systems that make research possible at scale, such as research administration capacity, clinical research operations, regulatory and compliance support, data management resources, and training programs for investigators and research staff. Second, it aims to strengthen the actual clinical and translational research conducted in these states by supporting work that addresses a broad range of health challenges affecting local populations. The expectation is that the network will not be narrowly focused on a single disease area, but instead will be positioned to respond to diverse health priorities that matter to the communities in the region. Third, it prioritizes collaboration by fostering and coordinating partnerships across institutions within the IDeA-CTR network and by linking the network to other organizations and research institutions, which can increase the quality of science, broaden access to expertise, and create clearer pathways for multi-site studies and future grant success.

The mechanism for this opportunity is a cooperative agreement (U54), which generally indicates that NIH will have substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. The activity category is health, and the program is associated with CFDA number 93.859. The listing indicates the original closing date was 2022-10-07 (PAR-20-175, created 2020-04-24), so it is important for applicants to verify the current status, reissue numbers, or active receipt dates if planning an application now.

Eligibility is broad in terms of organizational types, but it is constrained by the IDeA-eligibility requirement tied to the states and jurisdictions being served. Eligible applicant organizations include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. It also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other Native American tribal organizations. In addition, the FOA explicitly lists several categories of institutions and organizations that may apply, 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 (AANAPISISs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Foreign participation is clearly limited. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In other words, the program is built to fund U.S.-based infrastructure and networks serving IDeA-eligible U.S. states and jurisdictions, without foreign organizational components embedded in the funded project.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an infrastructure-and-network building award for clinical and translational research. Rather than funding a single standalone research project, it is meant to strengthen the foundational capabilities, staffing, coordination, and collaborative ecosystem that allow multiple investigators and institutions in IDeA-eligible areas to develop stronger studies, compete more effectively for NIH and other extramural awards, and address real-world health needs across a region through coordinated clinical and translational research efforts.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "IDeA Program Infrastructure for Clinical and Translational Research (IDeA-CTR)(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): 93.859.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-04-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

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