Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA DK 21 015

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DK 21 015

The Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (NORC) funding opportunity (RFA-DK-21-015) is an NIH P30 center grant designed to strengthen and coordinate institutional research capacity in nutrition and obesity. Rather than funding a single research project, this mechanism supports a centralized "core center" that sits within, and builds on, an already established and integrated program of nutrition and/or obesity research at an applicant institution. The main purpose is to boost the national research effort by making high-quality shared resources available, encouraging collaboration across disciplines, and improving the overall efficiency and impact of ongoing nutrition and obesity research programs. Clinical trials are optional under this FOA, meaning a center may support clinical trial-related activities where appropriate, but the core goal remains infrastructure and shared capability, not a standalone trial.

NORCs are organized around three primary, research-enabling activities. First, they provide Research Core services, which typically means shared scientific and technical resources that multiple investigators can use (for example, specialized assessment methods, laboratory or analytical capabilities, data management support, biostatistics, community engagement support, or other centralized services that reduce duplication and raise methodological consistency across projects). Second, each center runs a Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) program, which is meant to spark new ideas, help investigators generate preliminary data, and bring new researchers or new lines of investigation into the nutrition and obesity space. Third, the centers carry out an Enrichment program, which generally focuses on activities that build an intellectual and collaborative environment, such as seminars, workshops, visiting speakers, training events, and other initiatives that help connect researchers, spread best practices, and accelerate multidisciplinary work. Across these components, the emphasis is on improving productivity, effectiveness, and cross-cutting collaboration in nutrition and obesity research.

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations and can include many types of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations (including those other than federally recognized tribal governments), public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses, and other qualified organizations. The FOA explicitly notes additional eligible applicant categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly restricts foreign participation: non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement are not allowed.

Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary NIH grant in the Food and Nutrition/Health activity area (CFDA 93.847). The original closing date listed is October 20, 2021, and the FOA creation date is March 29, 2021. While an award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source fields, the key takeaway is that this program is intended to fund center-level infrastructure and programs that amplify the reach and quality of existing nutrition and obesity research, with shared cores, pilot funding, and enrichment activities serving as the central tools for achieving that mission.

• The National Institutes of Health in the food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Nutrition Obesity Research Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.847.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-20. (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.

Apply for RFA DK 21 015

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