Clinical and Translational Science Award (UM1 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 21 293

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 293

The Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program hub opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-21-293) is a National Institutes of Health cooperative agreement (UM1, clinical trial optional) that supports major institutional hubs within a nationwide CTSA consortium. The central aim is to speed the path from scientific discovery to real-world health impact by strengthening the science and day-to-day operations of clinical and translational research. In practical terms, the FOA is looking for institutions (or multi-institution partnerships led by an eligible applicant) that can function as regional and national engines for moving new diagnostics, devices, therapeutics, and care practices from early identification through first-in-human work, into clinical practice, and ultimately into broader community dissemination.

The FOA lays out several core expectations for CTSA hubs. First, hubs are expected to develop, test, and spread scientific and operational innovations that make translation more efficient and effective across the full pipeline, including early clinical studies and implementation in routine care. Second, hubs must actively promote partnerships and collaborations that accelerate translational projects at the local, regional, and national levels, reflecting the CTSA model of shared methods, shared infrastructure, and cross-institutional teamwork. Third, the program emphasizes equity: hubs are expected to build and distribute innovative programs and partnerships that address health disparities and ensure that the benefits of translational science reach all populations, including communities that have historically been underserved or underrepresented in research. Fourth, applicants are expected to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, effectiveness, and overall informativeness of clinical research by creating and implementing better approaches to study design and conduct, research operations, and participant engagement. Fifth, CTSA hubs are intended to serve as a national resource during urgent public health needs, meaning they should have the capacity and coordination structures to support rapid research response when emergencies arise. Sixth, the hubs are expected to provide and disseminate clinical and translational science training for clinical research professionals across disciplines, recognizing that modern research depends on teams that include many roles beyond principal investigators.

A key structural requirement is that applicants must submit two linked applications: the UM1 CTSA hub application and a required companion K12 Clinical Scientist Institutional Career Development Program application (referenced in the FOA as a separate companion announcement). The UM1 application will not be reviewed if the companion K12 application is not submitted. The FOA also notes an important contingency: if the UM1 hub application is funded but the K12 is not funded, the program will allow a resubmitted K12 application to be accepted, underscoring how central workforce development and mentored career pathways are to the overall CTSA hub model. In addition to the mandatory K12 companion, NIH also indicates that there are other companion FOAs that may be optional for additional training, career, or research-related components, depending on an institution's goals and capacity.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and various governmental entities (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations. The FOA also highlights a range of institutions and organizations often central to community-engaged and equity-focused research, including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions, and faith-based or community-based organizations, among others. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply; however, foreign components, as defined by NIH policy, are allowed, which generally means specific parts of a project can occur outside the U.S. when well-justified and compliant with NIH rules.

Administratively, this is a discretionary health funding opportunity (CFDA 93.350) administered by NIH, with an original closing date listed as 2024-09-13. Because the mechanism is a cooperative agreement (UM1), awardees should expect substantial NIH involvement compared with a standard research grant, typically reflecting a collaborative model where NIH and the funded hubs coordinate closely on consortium-wide goals, shared deliverables, and national CTSA priorities.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Clinical and Translational Science Award (UM1 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.350.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-07-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-13. (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 PAR 21 293

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