U.S.-China Program for Biomedical Collaborative Research (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the U.S.-China Program for Biomedical Collaborative Research (R01)?

It is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-AI-16-006) administered under HHS-NIH11. Its purpose is to promote substantive, joint biomedical research projects led collaboratively by investigators based in the United States and investigators based in China.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The central aim is to stimulate meaningful international partnerships that go beyond simple data sharing. The program is intended to support coordinated, complementary research efforts between U.S. and Chinese teams to advance scientific understanding and improve health outcomes in areas where U.S.-China collaboration can be especially valuable.

3) What type of grant mechanism is used?

The funding mechanism is an R01 research project grant, which typically supports discrete, hypothesis-driven projects proposed by the applicants.

4) What kinds of research does this opportunity support?

The opportunity supports research across the full spectrum of biomedical investigation, explicitly including basic research, translational research, and clinical research.

5) What scientific areas are specifically mentioned as areas of interest?

The scientific areas of interest include allergy and immunology; infectious diseases (with specific mention of HIV/AIDS as well as HIV/AIDS-related co-morbidities and co-infections); mental health; and selected neurological disorders.

6) Does the program require collaboration between U.S. and China-based investigators?

Yes. The program is designed for projects led collaboratively by investigators based in the United States and investigators based in China, emphasizing joint scientific leadership and integrated teamwork.

7) What does "substantive collaboration" mean in the context of this program?

Based on the description provided, the program is meant to go beyond simple data sharing. It emphasizes coordinated and complementary research activities that leverage strengths across both countries, such as combining expertise, access to patients or populations, specialized methods, and research infrastructure.

8) What kinds of advantages or resources are teams encouraged to combine?

The program encourages teams to combine expertise, patient or population access, specialized methods, and research infrastructure across the United States and China to tackle complex biomedical problems that benefit from international scope and joint scientific leadership.

9) What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The listed award ceiling is $200,000, indicating an upper limit on the amount expected per award under the terms of this announcement.

10) How many awards are expected to be made?

The source data lists "ExpectedAwards:" without a number. Based on the information provided, the intent is to make one or more awards depending on application quality, program priorities, and available funds.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based organizational applicants, including: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with and without 501(c)(3) status); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities as permitted under the additional eligibility guidance referenced in the announcement.

12) Are higher education institutions eligible?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

13) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible, including those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status.

14) Are for-profit organizations and small businesses eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are both listed among the eligible applicant types.

15) Are government entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments, special district governments, and independent school districts. The list also includes public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities.

16) Are Native American tribal governments and organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations are included in the eligibility list.

17) When was this opportunity created and posted?

The opportunity was created and posted on December 11, 2015.

18) What was the application closing date?

The application closing date was March 17, 2016. The information provided indicates the original and current closing dates are the same.

19) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-AI-16-006.

20) Which agency administers this grant opportunity?

It is an NIH grant opportunity administered under HHS-NIH11.

21) What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.242, 93.853, 93.855, and 93.856. These reflect different NIH program authorities and the cross-cutting scope spanning immunology, infectious disease, and related biomedical research areas.

22) Why are multiple CFDA numbers listed?

Multiple CFDA numbers are listed to reflect the cross-cutting scientific scope of the program, spanning immunology, infectious disease, and related biomedical research areas under different NIH program authorities.

23) What kinds of health impacts is the program trying to achieve?

The program emphasizes integrated teamwork between U.S. and Chinese researchers to accelerate discoveries and their translation toward improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, with the broader intent of improving health outcomes.