The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has reissued the funding opportunity for the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) under Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number PAR-23-166. This initiative is led by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) in partnership with multiple other NIH institutes and centers, including the National Institute of Aging (NIA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and others. The NARCH program is designed to support federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes, Tribal colleges or universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations to promote health-related research, research career enhancement, and research infrastructure development.

The NARCH program was established in 2000 to strengthen Tribal health research capacity and improve Tribal health outcomes. A comprehensive evaluation in 2021 led to refinements in the program, ensuring greater alignment with Tribal priorities. The funding supports multiple types of projects, including Research Projects (RPs), Pilot Project Programs (PPPs), Career Enhancement Projects (CEPs), and Research Infrastructure Enhancement Projects (RIEPs). These components collectively aim to enhance health-related research, provide career development for researchers, and build sustainable research infrastructure in Tribal communities.

The funding opportunity allows for a budget of up to $1.3 million per year in direct costs for a period of up to five years. At least 60% of the requested funds must remain with eligible federally recognized Tribes and Tribal Entities. Projects funded under this announcement may include clinical trials, though participation in a clinical trial is optional. Applications are reviewed on the basis of scientific merit, significance, investigator qualifications, approach, and environment, among other criteria.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized AI/AN Tribes, Tribal colleges or universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, though collaborations with non-Tribal organizations are allowed, provided that no more than 40% of the requested funds are allocated to non-Tribal partners. Applications must conform to NIH submission guidelines, including required registrations in the System for Award Management (SAM), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov.

Applications for the 2024 cycle are due by July 8, 2024, with subsequent deadlines on July 8, 2025, and July 8, 2026. The earliest submission date is June 8, 2024, and Letters of Intent are encouraged but not required by the same date. The review process includes scientific merit review in August, advisory council review in January, and potential project start dates in April of each year. The funding opportunity expires on August 8, 2026.

For questions and assistance, applicants may contact Crystal Richards, Ph.D., at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences via email at crystal.richards@nih.gov. Additional contact points include NIH’s Grants Information Office (grantsinfo@nih.gov) and the Center for Scientific Review for peer review-related inquiries.