Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 13 005
Apply for RFA HD 13 005
- The National Institutes of Health in the health income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction and Infertility Research (U54)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 4, 2012 and posted on Jan 4, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 27, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education City or township governments Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Independent school districts Special district governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments County governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government Faith based or Community based Organizations Hispanic serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized) Regional Organizations Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) U.S. Territory or Possession Non domestic (non U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply. Non domestic (non U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction and Infertility Research (SCCPIR) (U54) is a National Institutes of Health funding opportunity led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to support a small, select set of research centers focused on reproductive health and infertility. The announcement (RFA-HD-13-005) is a re-competition, meaning NICHD is renewing the program through a new competitive round to fund centers that can demonstrate strong, coordinated, center-based research rather than isolated individual projects. The mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U54), which typically indicates substantial NIH programmatic involvement during the award period, with NIH staff working alongside awardees on coordination, oversight, and shared program goals.
At its core, the program is designed to create high-performing, multidisciplinary hubs where basic scientists and clinical investigators collaborate closely on translational research in reproduction and infertility. The emphasis is on moving discoveries between the laboratory and the clinic in both directions: using fundamental biology to inform diagnostics, prevention strategies, and treatments, while also letting clinical observations drive new basic research questions. By structuring support around a center model, the program aims to encourage shared infrastructure, integrated scientific planning, and sustained collaboration that can be difficult to achieve through single-project grants alone.
A second major pillar of the SCCPIR program is workforce development. These centers are expected to function as a national resource for training and career development, specifically for new or early-stage scientists who want to build careers in translational reproductive science. In practice, this means centers are expected to provide mentorship, research opportunities, and structured development activities that prepare trainees and junior investigators to become independent researchers in high-priority areas of reproduction and infertility. The FOA frames this as a deliberate investment in the next generation of leaders in the field, not just as an add-on benefit of the research.
Beyond research and training, the program also expects awardee centers to engage in community outreach and education. Center investigators are anticipated to communicate with the broader public to increase awareness of reproductive health and infertility issues and to explain why the centers research matters. This outreach component highlights a public-facing responsibility: translating complex scientific findings into understandable information, addressing misconceptions, and helping communities appreciate the implications of advances in reproductive and infertility research.
Administratively, this opportunity falls under the Health category (CFDA 93.865, Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research). It was posted on January 4, 2012, with an application deadline of June 27, 2012, and an archived date of July 28, 2012. The estimated total funding level listed for the competition is $3,500,000, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement noted, which generally means applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.
Eligibility is broad across many types of U.S.-based organizations, reflecting the center-based nature of the program and the desire to attract strong institutional environments. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and a wide range of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts, independent school districts, and public housing authorities). The eligibility list also explicitly includes organizations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and certain federal agencies. At the same time, non-U.S. (foreign) institutions and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, although foreign components as defined by NIH policy are allowed, which typically means specific, justified collaborations or project components occurring abroad may be permissible under NIH rules even though the applicant organization must be domestic.
Overall, the SCCPIR (U54) opportunity supports a comprehensive center model that ties together three expectations: strong translational research programs in reproduction and infertility, intentional training and career development pipelines, and meaningful outreach to the public. The cooperative agreement structure and the limited number of funded centers suggest NICHD is looking for well-organized, highly collaborative teams that can serve both as research engines and as national resources for building capacity and public understanding in reproductive and infertility science.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Specialized Cooperative Centers Program in Reproduction and Infertility Research (SCCPIR) (U54)?
The SCCPIR (U54) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to support a small, select set of research centers focused on reproductive health and infertility.
Which NIH institute leads this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is led by NICHD (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) within the NIH.
What is the FOA or announcement number for this opportunity?
The announcement number provided is RFA-HD-13-005.
What type of award mechanism is used?
The mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U54), which typically involves substantial NIH programmatic involvement during the award period.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (U54)?
Based on the information provided, a U54 cooperative agreement typically indicates that NIH staff will work alongside awardees during the project period on coordination, oversight, and shared program goals, rather than operating as a more hands-off funder.
Is this a new program or a re-competition?
This announcement is described as a re-competition, meaning NICHD is renewing the program through a new competitive round.
What is the main purpose of SCCPIR?
The core purpose is to create high-performing, multidisciplinary research hubs where basic scientists and clinical investigators collaborate closely on translational research in reproduction and infertility.
What kind of research approach does SCCPIR emphasize?
The program emphasizes translational research that moves discoveries between the laboratory and the clinic in both directions: using fundamental biology to inform diagnostics, prevention strategies, and treatments, while also using clinical observations to generate new basic research questions.
Why does the program focus on a center-based model rather than individual projects?
The center model is intended to encourage shared infrastructure, integrated scientific planning, and sustained collaboration, which can be difficult to achieve through single-project grants alone. The program also emphasizes coordinated, center-based research rather than isolated individual projects.
Does the program include workforce development expectations?
Yes. A major pillar of SCCPIR is workforce development. Centers are expected to function as a national resource for training and career development for new or early-stage scientists in translational reproductive science.
Who is the training and career development component intended for?
It is specifically aimed at new or early-stage scientists (including trainees and junior investigators) who want to build careers in translational reproductive science.
What kinds of training activities are centers expected to provide?
Centers are expected to provide mentorship, research opportunities, and structured development activities designed to prepare trainees and junior investigators to become independent researchers in high-priority areas of reproduction and infertility.
Is outreach to the public part of the program?
Yes. Awardee centers are expected to engage in community outreach and education, communicating with the broader public to increase awareness of reproductive health and infertility issues and to explain why the centers' research matters.
What is the goal of the outreach and education component?
The outreach component reflects a public-facing responsibility to translate complex scientific findings into understandable information, address misconceptions, and help communities understand the implications of advances in reproductive and infertility research.
What is the funding category and CFDA number listed?
The opportunity is listed under the Health category, with CFDA 93.865 (Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research).
What is the estimated total funding level for this competition?
The estimated total funding level listed is $3,500,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is noted. Based on the information provided, applicants are generally not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on January 4, 2012.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline listed is June 27, 2012.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The information provided indicates it was archived on July 28, 2012.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across many U.S.-based organization types, including public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and many government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts, independent school districts, and public housing authorities).
Are minority-serving institutions included in the eligibility list?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions.
Are faith-based, community-based, or regional organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included in the eligibility list.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
The eligibility list includes certain federal agencies.
Can non-U.S. (foreign) institutions apply as the main applicant?
No. Non-U.S. (foreign) institutions and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, based on the information provided.
Are any foreign activities allowed at all under this opportunity?
Yes, foreign components (as defined by NIH policy) are allowed. This typically means specific, justified collaborations or project components occurring abroad may be permissible under NIH rules, even though the applicant organization must be domestic.
How does NICHD describe what it is looking for in funded centers?
The program description suggests NICHD is looking for well-organized, highly collaborative teams that demonstrate strong, coordinated, center-based research, and that can serve as both research engines and national resources for training and public understanding in reproductive and infertility science.
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