The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), is offering the Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1 - Clinical Trial Optional). This funding opportunity is designed to support highly integrated research teams consisting of three to six Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) working together to address complex and ambitious biomedical research questions that align with the mission of NIGMS. The initiative encourages team-based approaches that require synergy and coordinated interaction rather than a collection of independent research efforts. Projects should focus on foundational biological research rather than organ-specific or disease-centered studies.

The grant supports research efforts that integrate multiple areas of expertise to resolve significant scientific challenges. Teams should propose well-defined, high-impact research goals that necessitate a collaborative approach. While the grant allows for some technology development and resource creation, applications primarily focused on infrastructure development, new technology creation, or community resource expansion are not eligible. Applications must demonstrate a clear need for a team approach, including a well-defined team management structure and interdependent research objectives.

The funding opportunity provides a total of $10 million annually, supporting between four to six new awards each year. Applicants may request up to $1.5 million in direct costs per year, with most awards expected to fall between $700,000 and $900,000 in direct costs. An additional $250,000 per year may be requested to support early-stage investigators (ESIs) during years two through five of the grant. The project period is up to five years, with the possibility of one five-year competitive renewal, for a maximum of ten years of funding. Applications must include a multiple PD/PI leadership plan and a team management plan.

Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, small businesses, for-profit entities, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and certain federal agencies. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) institutions are not eligible to apply, although foreign components may participate as collaborators. All applicants must complete required registrations, including those with the System for Award Management (SAM), Grants.gov, and eRA Commons.

Applications must follow the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and NIH-specific instructions. A letter of intent is encouraged but not required and should be submitted at least 30 days before the application deadline. The submission process includes multiple options, such as the NIH ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM local time on the due date. Deadlines for application submission occur on May 26, 2023; January 26, 2024; May 29, 2024; January 28, 2025; May 28, 2025; and January 27, 2026.

Applications are evaluated through NIH's peer review process, assessing significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and team management. Successful applications will demonstrate high levels of integration and synergy among team members, a clear rationale for a collaborative approach, and strong management strategies. Additional review considerations include protections for human subjects, inclusion of women and minorities, and data management plans. Final funding decisions will be based on scientific merit, available funds, and program priorities.

For further information, applicants are encouraged to contact the program’s administrative team via email at RM1mailbox@nigms.nih.gov. The scientific review contact is Dr. James W. Mack at mackj2@csr.nih.gov, and financial inquiries can be directed to Tiffany Walker at walkerti@mail.nih.gov.