Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 09 004

  • The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NCMHD Health Disparities Research on Minority and Underserved Populations (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.307 Minority Health and Health Disparities Research.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Feb 11, 2009 and posted on Feb 11, 2009.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 17, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,250,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
  • Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession.
Apply for RFA MD 09 004

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Opportunity Summary:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through its National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), offered the funding opportunity titled "NCMHD Health Disparities Research on Minority and Underserved Populations (R01)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MD-09-004. This discretionary grant opportunity was designed to support investigator-initiated research projects that focus on diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as other underserved populations, including rural communities and low-income populations. The overall intent was to expand the evidence base for understanding, preventing, and reducing health disparities by funding rigorous research that addresses both the medical conditions themselves and the broader factors that contribute to unequal health outcomes.

The scope of research supported by this announcement was broad and centered on health disparity-related conditions, particularly chronic and high-burden diseases. Examples specifically highlighted include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, asthma, obesity, and kidney disease, though the announcement made clear that proposals were not limited to these areas. Beyond disease-specific studies, the FOA emphasized research that examines the drivers of disparities across multiple levels. This includes biological mechanisms such as genetics, cellular processes, and organ system function, as well as lifestyle-related determinants. It also explicitly encouraged work on environmental influences (including physical surroundings and family environments), social factors (such as peer influences and social networks), economic conditions, institutional influences (for example, access to care and systemic barriers), and cultural and family factors that can shape risk, treatment, and outcomes. In practical terms, the opportunity was positioned to fund projects ranging from mechanistic and translational studies to community-informed and systems-oriented research, as long as the central focus remained on conditions and determinants tied to health disparities.

Funding was provided through the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism, meaning applicants were expected to propose a defined, hypothesis-driven or clearly justified research plan that could be carried out by an established research team with appropriate expertise and infrastructure. For this initial offering in fiscal year 2009, NIH anticipated a total of about $1.25 million in direct costs available for awards, with an expected 5 to 8 grants funded. The listed award ceiling was $250,000. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which reduces financial barriers for applicants and allows organizations to compete based primarily on scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with the program goals.

Eligibility was intentionally expansive to encourage participation from institutions and organizations that often serve or are embedded within the communities most affected by health disparities. Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding those that are institutions of higher education), and tribal entities, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations. The eligibility description also noted additional categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), tribal governments not federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions. This breadth signals a clear intent to support both traditional academic research settings and community-rooted organizations that may bring essential access, trust, and contextual expertise to disparity-focused research.

Key administrative details include a posted and created date of February 11, 2009, with an original and current closing date of April 17, 2009, and an archive date of May 18, 2009. The associated CFDA number was 93.307 (Minority Health and Health Disparities Research). The announcement provided an additional information link through the NIH Grants Guide and included contact support via the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster email for technical access or linking issues. Overall, this FOA was structured to fund a small portfolio of R01 projects aimed at advancing scientific understanding of why disparities persist and what interventions, mechanisms, or system changes could meaningfully reduce unequal health outcomes in minority and underserved populations.

FAQs: NCMHD Health Disparities Research on Minority and Underserved Populations (R01) (RFA-MD-09-004)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant funding opportunity offered through the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) titled "NCMHD Health Disparities Research on Minority and Underserved Populations (R01)." The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MD-09-004, and it uses the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism.

What is the purpose of RFA-MD-09-004?

The purpose is to support investigator-initiated research that strengthens the evidence base for understanding, preventing, and reducing health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations. The intent includes funding rigorous research on both the diseases/conditions themselves and the broader factors that contribute to unequal health outcomes.

What types of populations are the focus of this program?

The focus includes racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations. Examples explicitly mentioned include rural communities and low-income populations.

What kinds of health conditions or topic areas are within scope?

The scope is broad and centered on health disparity-related conditions, particularly chronic and high-burden diseases. Examples highlighted include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, asthma, obesity, and kidney disease. Proposals were not limited to these examples.

Does the program only support disease-specific research?

No. In addition to disease-specific studies, the announcement emphasized research that examines drivers of disparities across multiple levels, including biological, lifestyle, environmental, social, economic, institutional, cultural, and family factors that shape risk, treatment, and outcomes.

What types of determinants of health disparities are encouraged for study?

The FOA encouraged work that addresses determinants across multiple levels, including biological mechanisms (genetics, cellular processes, organ system function), lifestyle-related determinants, environmental influences (physical surroundings and family environments), social factors (peer influences and social networks), economic conditions, institutional influences (such as access to care and systemic barriers), and cultural and family factors.

What kinds of research approaches fit this opportunity?

The opportunity was positioned to support a range of projects, including mechanistic and translational studies as well as community-informed and systems-oriented research, as long as the central focus remains on conditions and determinants tied to health disparities in minority and underserved populations.

What grant mechanism is used?

Funding is provided through the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) mechanism. Applicants are expected to propose a defined, hypothesis-driven or clearly justified research plan suitable for an established research team with appropriate expertise and infrastructure.

How much funding was expected to be available?

For the initial offering in fiscal year 2009, NIH anticipated a total of about $1.25 million in direct costs available for awards.

How many awards were expected?

The FOA anticipated funding approximately 5 to 8 grants.

Is there an award ceiling?

Yes. The listed award ceiling was $250,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The FOA stated there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was intentionally broad. Eligible applicants included public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding those that are institutions of higher education), and tribal entities (including federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations).

Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations included in eligibility?

Yes. The eligibility description included categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, and tribal governments not federally recognized.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions were listed among the eligible applicant categories.

When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The posted/created date was February 11, 2009. The original and current closing date was April 17, 2009. The archive date was May 18, 2009.

What is the CFDA number associated with this funding opportunity?

The associated CFDA number was 93.307, titled "Minority Health and Health Disparities Research."

Where could applicants find additional official information?

The announcement indicated that additional information was available through the NIH Grants Guide, and it also referenced NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) support for technical access or linking issues.

Who could be contacted for technical access or linking issues?

The FOA included contact support via the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) Webmaster email for technical access or linking issues.

What is the overall emphasis of the funded portfolio?

This FOA was structured to fund a small portfolio of R01 projects intended to advance scientific understanding of why health disparities persist and to identify interventions, mechanisms, or system changes that could meaningfully reduce unequal health outcomes in minority and underserved populations.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institutes of Health

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health

Next opportunity: FY09 DOD Prostate Cancer Health Disparity Training Award

Previous opportunity: Alcohol, Decision Making, and Adolescent Brain Development (R01)

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for RFA MD 09 004

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA MD 09 004) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Surveillance and Response to Avian and Pandemic Influenza Apply for CDC RFA IP09 902

Funding Number: CDC RFA IP09 902
Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $300,000
Alcohol Pharmacotherapy and the Treatment and Prevention of HIV/AIDS (R01) Apply for RFA AA 09 007

Funding Number: RFA AA 09 007
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Alcohol Pharmacotherapy and the Treatment and Prevention of HIV/AIDS (R03) Apply for RFA AA 09 008

Funding Number: RFA AA 09 008
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) Apply for PAR 09 102

Funding Number: PAR 09 102
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Targeted Rural Health Research Grant Program Apply for HRSA 09 167

Funding Number: HRSA 09 167
Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Drug Free Communities Mentoring Program Apply for SP 09 003

Funding Number: SP 09 003
Agency: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Adminis.
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $75,000
National Center for Construction Safety and Health (U60) Apply for RFA OH 09 001

Funding Number: RFA OH 09 001
Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $5,000,000
Grants to States for Loan Repayment Apply for HRSA 09 205

Funding Number: HRSA 09 205
Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) (R25) Apply for PAR 09 104

Funding Number: PAR 09 104
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Tools Technologies for Assessing Manual Therapies (SBIR R43/R44) Apply for RFA AT 09 003

Funding Number: RFA AT 09 003
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Womens Mental Health and Sex/Gender Differences Research (R01) Apply for PA 09 108

Funding Number: PA 09 108
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Womens Mental Health and Sex/Gender Differences Research (R21) Apply for PA 09 109

Funding Number: PA 09 109
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $200,000
Translating Research to Protect Health through Health Promotion, Prevention, and Preparedness (R18) Apply for RFA CD 09 001

Funding Number: RFA CD 09 001
Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $450,000
AHRQ Research Infrastructure Program Phase II Limited Competition (R24) Apply for RFA HS 09 001

Funding Number: RFA HS 09 001
Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $500,000
Alzheimers Disease Core Centers (P30) Apply for RFA AG 10 001

Funding Number: RFA AG 10 001
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Alzheimers Disease Research Centers (P50) Apply for RFA AG 10 002

Funding Number: RFA AG 10 002
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $1,000,000
Services in Supportive Housing Apply for SM 09 007

Funding Number: SM 09 007
Agency: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Adminis.
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $400,000
Phase II Clinical Trials of Novel Therapies for Lung Diseases (U01) Apply for RFA HL 10 003

Funding Number: RFA HL 10 003
Agency: National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $800,000
Developing Integrated Child Health Information Systems Promoting the use of Health Information Technology Apply for HRSA 09 180

Funding Number: HRSA 09 180
Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Cooperative Agreements for State Sponsored Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Apply for SM 09 003

Funding Number: SM 09 003
Agency: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Adminis.
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $500,000

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

USGrants.org applicant portal membership

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA MD 09 004", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.