Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA AG 23 026

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AG 23 026

The Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional) funding opportunity (RFA-AG-23-026) is a National Institutes of Health grant program designed to support institutions that want to establish or renew an RCMAR focused on behavioral and social science research tied to aging and/or health disparities affecting older adults. The central aim is to build strong, collaborative research centers that not only produce high-quality science in a clearly defined priority area, but also create a durable mentoring and career development environment that brings more researchers from diverse backgrounds into the aging research workforce.

A major emphasis of this program is the two-part mission of RCMARs. First, the center must actively diversify the scientific workforce in priority domains of aging research, particularly social, behavioral, psychological, and economic research. This is typically accomplished through structured mentorship, career development support, and a research environment that helps promising investigators from underrepresented or otherwise diverse backgrounds develop competitive, independent research trajectories. Second, the center must build and maintain an infrastructure that supports rigorous behavioral and social science research in a selected high-priority area related to aging, with the expectation that this research will help drive discoveries that matter for real people, reduce or eliminate health disparities and inequities, and improve health and well-being outcomes for older adults.

The FOA expects applicants to propose multipronged, collaborative approaches rather than isolated projects. In practice, that means an RCMAR should function as a resource hub: it coordinates expertise, provides shared supports, encourages interdisciplinary teamwork, and creates an institutional culture where research, mentorship, and professional development reinforce each other. A key requirement is that the center environment meaningfully embraces and strengthens diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). DEIA is not treated as a side objective; it is woven into how the center recruits and supports scholars, structures mentorship, engages communities, sets research priorities, and builds accessible pathways to success for investigators and the populations the research is meant to benefit.

The program is tightly aligned with the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Health Disparities Research Framework and NIA priority populations, meaning applicants should be prepared to focus on older adults experiencing disproportionate burdens of disease, barriers to care, or structural inequities that shape health outcomes across the life course. The intended payoff is both scientific and practical: stronger behavioral and social science evidence that can inform interventions, policies, and systems-level changes that measurably improve aging-related outcomes and close disparity gaps.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governments. Eligible applicants listed include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The FOA also highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible; however, foreign components may be included when they meet NIH’s definition and requirements under the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant under the NIH, in the health funding activity category, with CFDA number 93.866. The award ceiling is listed as $500,000. The opportunity was created on 2022-08-05, with an original closing date of 2022-10-21. The “Clinical Trial Optional” designation means applicants may propose research activities that include clinical trials if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive.

Overall, the opportunity funds institutions that can serve as engines for both workforce development and impactful behavioral and social science on aging, especially research that addresses the mechanisms and real-world consequences of health disparities among older adults. The strongest proposals are expected to show a clear research focus area, a credible and well-supported mentoring pipeline, strong collaboration and shared resources, and a center-wide commitment to DEIA that is evident in both the structure and day-to-day operation of the RCMAR.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2022-08-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-10-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for RFA AG 23 026

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