Centers of Research Translation (CORT) (P50) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Centers of Research Translation (CORT) (P50) opportunity?

The Centers of Research Translation (CORT) (P50) opportunity (RFA-AR-17-001) is an NIH funding announcement administered by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). It is designed to build center-level, team-based translational research programs that bring together a coordinated group of investigators.

Which agency and institute administer this funding announcement?

This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services funding announcement administered through NIAMS (the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases).

What is the main purpose of a CORT award?

The purpose is to support integrated, team-science translational research focused on a clearly defined, high-impact translational challenge. The program emphasizes coordinated efforts that accelerate movement from mechanistic insights toward practical, patient-relevant outputs such as therapeutic targets, diagnostics, preventive strategies, or other tangible deliverables.

What kinds of research topics are in scope for this opportunity?

The translational research challenge must focus on a single disease or a set of closely related diseases or conditions that fall within the NIAMS mission area, as described in the opportunity.

How is CORT different from funding isolated research projects?

Rather than supporting standalone projects, CORT is structured around integrated, synergistic components that work together toward a coherent translational goal. The emphasis is on coordination across disciplines and components so that the overall center delivers more impact than the individual parts would on their own.

What are the two main structural approaches allowed for a CORT center?

The opportunity allows two approaches:

• Approach 1: A disease-targeted translational theme pursued through multiple synergistic translational Research Projects, supported by Research Cores as needed.
• Approach 2: One critical disease-related translational research question pursued through a single, highly collaborative Research Project enabled by several highly interactive Research Cores.

In the single-project model, what role do the Research Cores play?

In the single-project model, the Research Cores are intended to be highly interactive and deeply integrated with the main project over time. They are not described as simple service units; instead, their work is meant to be coordinated as the primary project develops and is implemented.

What components must a compliant CORT application include?

A compliant application must include at least three strong research components in total. These components are made up of one or more translational Research Projects and one or more Research Cores.

Is an Administrative Core required?

Yes. An Administrative Core is mandatory for every CORT application. This reflects the expectation that these centers require formal governance, coordination, communication, and oversight to operate effectively as a team-science program.

How many Research Projects and Research Cores are required?

The opportunity states that an application must include at least three strong research components total, composed of one or more translational Research Projects and one or more Research Cores, plus a required Administrative Core. The exact breakdown between projects and cores can vary as long as the minimum component expectations are met.

What does NIAMS emphasize about synergy and integration?

NIAMS emphasizes that the center must present a coherent scientific plan with meaningful integration across projects and cores. The center should be designed so that collaboration and coordination create added value beyond what separate, independent efforts would achieve.

Are multi-disciplinary teams expected?

Yes. The announcement highlights leadership across research components coming from relevant, and when appropriate, different disciplines. This is meant to encourage cross-cutting expertise to overcome translational bottlenecks.

Can investigators be from different departments or institutions?

Yes. Investigators may be located in different departments, divisions, or even different institutions. This supports the multi-disciplinary and potentially multi-institutional structure encouraged by the program.

What types of expertise does the opportunity suggest could be combined?

The description gives examples such as combining clinical and basic science perspectives, or pairing disease biology with engineering, imaging, computational analysis, biostatistics, or other specialized capabilities to address translational barriers.

What kinds of outcomes or deliverables are expected from CORT centers?

Expected outputs include generating new knowledge about human pathophysiology while driving translation toward improved patient care. The opportunity specifically points to identifying new therapeutic or diagnostic targets and developing more effective treatments, diagnostics, or prevention strategies.

Is this opportunity focused on basic science, translational work, or both?

It is framed as translational and is intended to bridge gaps between discovery and clinical utility. While mechanistic insight is part of the pathway, the program emphasizes translation to practical outputs that matter for patients rather than advancing basic science in isolation.

What is the funding activity category and program type?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program under the Health activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The listing includes CFDA 93.846 (and references 93.846 alongside the source data).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations, including:

• State, county, and city or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Other tribal organizations
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories)
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses
• Other applicants as allowed by additional eligibility language referenced in the announcement

Does the opportunity allow for-profit organizations to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as small businesses.

When was the FOA posted?

The funding opportunity announcement was posted on May 11, 2016.

What is the application due date?

The application closing date is October 11, 2016. The listing indicates the original and current closing dates are the same.

What is the award ceiling?

The award ceiling is listed as $1,000,000.

How many awards did NIAMS expect to make?

NIAMS expected to make approximately 4 awards.

What does the expected number of awards suggest about competitiveness?

With an expectation of approximately 4 awards and a strong emphasis on integration and translational deliverables, the opportunity appears designed to fund a small number of highly coordinated, center-level programs.