The STrengthening Research Opportunities for NIH Grants (STRONG): Structured Institutional Needs Assessment and Action Plan Development for Resource Limited Institutions (RLIs) (UC2) is a funding opportunity issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Department of Health and Human Services. This grant program aims to support eligible Resource-Limited Institutions (RLIs) in assessing their research capacity and developing institutional action plans to address identified needs. This initiative is designed to enhance the competitiveness of RLIs in securing research funding and to support the development of environments that promote biomedical research and career advancement.

The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable RLIs to conduct rigorous institutional research capacity needs assessments and utilize the results to create actionable plans for improvement. These institutions are characterized by limited NIH research project grant support, receiving between $0 to $25 million annually over the past three fiscal years. The initiative distinguishes between Low Research Active (LRA) institutions, typically undergraduate or graduate institutions with under $6 million in NIH support and at least 35% of undergraduate students receiving Pell grants, and High Research Active (HRA) institutions, which offer doctoral degrees and fall within the $6 to $25 million funding range.

Eligible applicants must be higher education institutions that award degrees in health professions, STEM fields, or related areas. Foreign institutions and non-domestic components are not eligible. Each institution may submit only one application and must demonstrate eligibility through an Institutional Eligibility Letter and an Institutional Commitment Letter. These documents should be signed by institutional leadership and describe alignment with the broader institutional vision for biomedical research enhancement.

The grant provides funding for up to three years with a maximum of $250,000 in direct costs per year. It does not support clinical trials, infrastructure development, or pilot research projects. Instead, funds must be used to carry out assessments and develop strategic action plans. The application requires detailed descriptions of the proposed assessment methodologies, institutional environment, governance structure, and anticipated outcomes. It also includes specific requirements such as participation in a steering committee and engagement in program-wide coordination.

Applications are due annually on September 18, with the next cycles in 2024 and 2025. Applications must be submitted through NIH’s ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system. Applicants are encouraged to submit letters of intent by the posted due date and to adhere closely to all instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. A technical assistance webinar is offered by NIH to support applicants.

Evaluation of applications will be based on significance, investigator expertise, innovation, approach, and institutional environment. Additional review considerations include protections for human subjects, inclusion of diverse populations, and adherence to NIH policies and federal regulations. Awards will be made as cooperative agreements, which involve active NIH participation and oversight through an Executive Steering Committee.