IDeA Clinical and Translational Research Network (CTR-N) Award (P50 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 23 241

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 241

The IDeA Clinical and Translational Research Network (CTR-N) Award (P50, Clinical Trial Optional), Funding Opportunity Number PAR-23-241, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement designed to strengthen clinical and translational research capacity in IDeA-eligible states and jurisdictions. At its core, the program is meant to help places that have historically received lower levels of NIH funding build the people, systems, and partnerships needed to compete more effectively for extramural research support, while also producing research that directly responds to the health needs of the populations in those states and regions.

This opportunity supports the creation or expansion of statewide networks and/or interstate regional networks. The networks are expected to function as organized, coordinated platforms that make it easier to plan, launch, and sustain clinical and translational research activities. The FOA emphasizes three major goals: first, developing and/or enhancing infrastructure and human resources (for example, shared research services, workforce development, operational support, and other enabling capabilities) that are necessary to conduct high-quality clinical and translational research. Second, strengthening research efforts that address a wide range of health challenges relevant to communities in IDeA-eligible areas, which implies an interest in practical, locally meaningful research questions and improvements in health outcomes. Third, fostering and coordinating collaboration both within the IDeA-CTR network itself and with other institutions, encouraging multi-institution teamwork, shared standards, and efficient use of resources rather than isolated, duplicative efforts.

The award mechanism is listed as a grant but specifically operates as a cooperative agreement, meaning NIH is likely to have substantial programmatic involvement compared with a standard research project grant. The activity category is health, and the CFDA number provided is 93.859. The clinical trial designation is "optional," which signals that applicants may propose clinical trials if they are appropriate to the network goals, but a clinical trial is not required for a competitive application.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants 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; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. It also states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are eligible to apply; however, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. In practice, that combination signals that while a foreign institution could be the applicant organization, the award cannot include a foreign component under NIH policy, so applicants would need to read the NIH definitions carefully and structure collaborations accordingly.

Key administrative details in the source data include an original closing date of 2025-10-09 and an award ceiling listed as $1,300,000. The opportunity was created on 2023-08-29. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided listing. Overall, the program is best understood as a network-building and capacity-building investment aimed at upgrading clinical and translational research ecosystems in IDeA-eligible areas, developing a stronger and more competitive investigator base, and encouraging coordinated, collaborative research that is closely tied to the real health burdens experienced by local and regional populations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "IDeA Clinical and Translational Research Network (CTR-N) Award (P50 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.859.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-10-09. (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 $1,300,000.00 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 PAR 23 241

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