T4 Translation Research Capacity Building Initiative in Low Income Countries (TREIN) (U24) | Apply Online

FAQs: T4 Translation Research Capacity Building Initiative in Low Income Countries (TREIN) (U24)

What is the TREIN (U24) funding opportunity?

TREIN (U24) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from HHS-NIH called the T4 Translation Research Capacity Building Initiative in Low Income Countries. It supports building durable, in-country research capacity in low income countries to strengthen the ability to plan, run, and sustain late-stage translation research, specifically Translation Phase 4 (T4TR).

What does "Translation Phase 4 (T4TR)" mean in this program?

In this opportunity, T4 translation research focuses on real-world delivery and scale-up of proven health interventions in routine settings. The emphasis is on what it takes for those interventions to work effectively in the local health system, across communities, and over time.

What is the central goal of TREIN?

The central aim is to strengthen local (in-country) capacity to conduct late-stage translation research. The program is designed to leave behind stronger local infrastructure, partnerships, and expertise for implementation-focused research beyond the award period.

Who is the funder and what type of award is this?

The funder is the NIH (under HHS-NIH). The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U24), which means NIH expects to have substantial involvement with awardees rather than acting as a hands-off funder.

What does a "cooperative agreement (U24)" imply for applicants?

Because this is a U24 cooperative agreement, the NIH anticipates substantial involvement with recipients. Applicants should be prepared for an active partnership approach with NIH as part of the award.

What countries are the focus of this initiative?

The initiative is aimed at low income countries, as classified by the World Bank. The intent is to build durable, in-country research capacity within those settings.

Is TREIN meant to fund general health research capacity building?

No. TREIN is not a general capacity-building program for any health topic. It is specifically focused on strengthening the ability of local teams to conduct T4 translation research related to chronic conditions in the NIH heart, lung, blood, and sleep mission space.

What health and scientific areas must proposed work address?

The required scientific focus is on chronic non-communicable conditions within the NIH heart, lung, blood, and sleep mission space. Proposed studies must address these chronic diseases and disorders in low income country settings.

What kinds of research activities does this opportunity emphasize?

The emphasis is on implementation-focused, late-stage translation research: implementing, evaluating, and scaling evidence-based interventions under real-world conditions in routine settings, with attention to adoption, effectiveness, and sustainability within local health systems.

What is meant by "real-world delivery and scale-up" in routine settings?

It refers to delivering proven interventions in typical healthcare and community environments (not highly controlled conditions) and expanding their reach, while studying what is required for them to work well within the local system and remain effective over time.

What are the core required elements highlighted for a TREIN proposal?

The FOA highlights three core elements: (1) skills development programming (training and practical skill-building for investigators and partners), (2) a needs assessment (to identify gaps in local T4 research and implementation capacity), and (3) broader capacity-building activities (developing systems, processes, and collaborations that remain useful beyond the award period).

What is included in "skills development programming" for this initiative?

Skills development programming includes training and practical skill-building for investigators and partners to strengthen their ability to conduct and sustain T4 translation research activities.

Why is a needs assessment required?

The needs assessment is intended to identify gaps in local T4 research and implementation capacity, so capacity-building efforts can be structured and targeted to the specific needs of the local context.

What are "broader capacity-building activities" in the context of TREIN?

Broader capacity-building activities involve developing systems, processes, and collaborations that remain useful beyond the award period, helping ensure the initiative produces lasting improvements in in-country capability.

What is meant by a "trans-disciplinary investigative team"?

Applicants are expected to create a trans-disciplinary investigative team and use that team to lead and coordinate T4 translation research activities. This implies integrating expertise across multiple disciplines to address implementation and scale-up in real-world settings.

Is the program intended to fund only individual research projects?

No. The intent is not only to fund individual research projects, but to leave behind stronger local infrastructure and expertise for conducting implementation-focused research.

What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number) for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number provided is RFA-HL-17-003.

What is the application closing date listed for this opportunity?

The listing states an original/current closing date of June 15, 2016.

How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated up to 5 awards.

What is the award ceiling listed in the opportunity summary?

The award ceiling is listed as $138,000.

What is the funding activity category?

The opportunity is categorized under health as the funding activity category.

Which CFDA numbers are referenced for this opportunity?

The listing references CFDA numbers 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, and 93.840.

Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?

Eligibility is listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." Based on the summary alone, applicants would need to consult the full FOA to confirm eligible organization types and any required partnership arrangements.

What is the intended long-term outcome of TREIN-funded work?

The intended long-term outcome is stronger in-country capacity to implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for chronic heart, lung, blood, and sleep conditions under real-world conditions, enabling effective strategies to be adopted, improved, and sustained within local health systems.

How does TREIN connect implementation research to health systems?

TREIN emphasizes studying what it takes for proven interventions to work effectively within the local health system, across communities, and over time, with a focus on practical delivery, scale-up, and sustainability.