Implementation Research for Multi-morbidity Management in the Context of Non-communicable Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and US Tribal Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

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Description

This opportunity, offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD), funds implementation research to improve the management of multiple long-term non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in World Bank-defined low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal Nation populations in the US. The goal is to generate evidence on effective, integrated, patient-centered care models for people living with NCD multimorbidity, addressing barriers to adoption, adaptation, scale-up, and sustainability of evidence-based interventions.

Projects must focus on implementation research (not basic efficacy studies), use validated frameworks, and address health disparities and social determinants of health. Capacity building for LMIC and/or AI/AN researchers and strong, equitable partnerships are required.

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Due Dates

• February 7, 2025: New, renewal, resubmission, and revision applications
• May 7, 2025: AIDS-related applications (new, renewal, resubmission, revision)
• November 5, 2025: New, renewal, resubmission, and revision applications
• January 7, 2026: AIDS-related applications (new, renewal, resubmission, revision)

All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Letters of intent are encouraged 30 days before the application due date.

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Funding Amount

• Budget: No explicit cap, but applications requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year require prior approval at least 6 weeks before submission.
• Project period: Up to 5 years.
• Award size: Budgets should reflect actual project needs; typical awards are up to $500,000/year in direct costs.
• Number of awards: Contingent on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications.

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Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

• Public and private higher education institutions (US and LMIC)
• Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
• For-profit organizations (including small businesses)
• State, county, city, township, and special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized)
• Faith-based and community-based organizations
• Regional organizations
• U.S. territories and possessions
• Non-domestic (non-US) entities (restricted to LMICs as defined by the World Bank)

Key requirements:

• US applicants must include LMIC researchers as key personnel.
• LMIC applicants are encouraged (but not required) to include US partners.
• All applications must demonstrate effective, equitable partnerships and capacity building for LMIC and/or AI/AN researchers.

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Application Process

• Application forms: Use NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution.
• Required registrations: SAM, eRA Commons, Grants.gov (can take 6+ weeks).
• Letter of intent: Strongly encouraged, due 30 days before the application deadline.
• Application guide: Follow the NIH SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the full funding announcement.
• Budget: R&R Budget Form required (no modular budgets for foreign/LMIC applicants).
• Milestone plan: Required as a separate PDF attachment.
• Letters of support: Required from all key partners and collaborators.
• Data Management and Sharing Plan: Required for all applications.
• Human subjects/clinical trials: Complete the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form as applicable.

Contact NIH program staff early if requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs in any year.

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Additional Information

• Scope: Projects must focus on implementation research for evidence-based interventions to improve integrated, patient-centered care for NCD multimorbidity.
• Responsive applications: Must address health disparities, social determinants, and capacity building; use validated implementation research frameworks; and demonstrate strong, equitable partnerships.
• Non-responsive applications: Those not focused on evidence-based interventions, lacking capacity building, or not demonstrating effective partnerships will be withdrawn.
• Clinical trials: Optional under this announcement; see companion R61/R33 for required clinical trials.
• Annual meetings: Budget for annual GACD network meetings (PI and one key team member required to attend).
• Review criteria: Significance, innovation, approach, investigator(s), and environment, with special attention to partnership, capacity building, and community engagement.

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External Links

• Full NIH Funding Announcement (PAR-25-213)
• NIH Application Guide (SF424 R&R)
• GACD Funding and Resources
• World Bank Country and Lending Groups
• Apply via Grants.gov

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Contact Information

For additional contacts and details, see the full announcement Section VII.

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