Collaborative Program Grant for Interdisciplinary Teams (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 27 003

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Collaborative Program Grant for Interdisciplinary Teams (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional), under funding opportunity number PAR-27-003. It is a discretionary grant in the health funding category and is intended to support large, highly integrated research efforts led by interdisciplinary teams.

2) What is the main goal of the RM1 Collaborative Program Grant for Interdisciplinary Teams?

The main goal is to fund ambitious research programs that require true interdisciplinary teamwork and tight scientific coordination. NIH is looking for projects where progress depends on real collaboration and synergy, not separate projects running in parallel under a shared title.

3) What kind of science is NIH looking for under this NOFO?

NIH is signaling a preference for proposals that are "greater than the sum of their parts." Projects should be structured around a single, focused, and difficult scientific objective that is complex enough to require shared planning, integrated frameworks, and continual cross-disciplinary feedback that can change the direction of the work as results emerge.

4) What does "interdisciplinary team" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this context, it means a team where investigators from different disciplines work in an integrated way toward one unified program goal. The expectation is meaningful interaction throughout the life of the project, with collaboration that is central to how the science is designed and executed, rather than divided into loosely connected parts.

5) What does NIH mean by a "unified program goal"?

A unified program goal is a single overarching scientific objective that anchors the entire project. The goal must be something that cannot realistically be achieved by one investigator working alone or by a loose collection of independent projects that simply share an umbrella theme.

6) Are incremental research advances appropriate for this program?

The opportunity encourages teams to think beyond incremental advances. The intent is to support far-reaching objectives that could drive major advances in the relevant scientific fields.

7) Are clinical trials required?

No. Clinical trials are optional under this mechanism. Applicants may propose studies that include a clinical trial component or studies that do not include a clinical trial component, depending on what fits the scientific goals.

8) How many leaders (PDs/PIs) are expected on an application?

The expected team composition is three to six Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs). This reflects the team-based leadership structure and the program emphasis on shared responsibility and interdisciplinary approaches.

9) Who is eligible to apply (at a high level)?

The NOFO describes a broad set of eligible U.S.-based applicant organizations. The provided information indicates eligibility includes state, county, city, township, and 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 and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions where applicable); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.

10) Where do applicants find the full eligibility requirements?

The NOFO points applicants to Section III (Eligibility Information) for the complete eligibility requirements and details.

11) Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply under this NOFO.

12) Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply as part of the application?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as applicant components under this NOFO.

13) What is the policy on foreign subawards or foreign subcontracts?

This NOFO includes a major restriction: NIH will no longer issue awards to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards or subcontracts unless the application is submitted under a funding opportunity specifically designated for funded international collaborations. Under this NOFO, a proposal that includes a paid foreign subaward/subcontract would be noncompliant and would not be reviewed for funding.

14) If foreign organizations cannot receive subawards/subcontracts, does that mean all international involvement is prohibited?

No. The information provided indicates that certain types of international involvement are still allowable, including unfunded international collaborations, allowable "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, paying foreign consultants in accordance with NIH policy, and purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors. The key restriction described is on sending NIH award funds to foreign organizations via subawards/subcontracts under this NOFO.

15) What is a "foreign component" in the context of this NOFO?

The NOFO allows "foreign components" as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement. Based on the description provided, this typically refers to elements of a project conducted outside the United States that do not involve a foreign organization receiving a subaward or subcontract.

16) What happens if an application includes a paid foreign subaward or subcontract?

The provided information states that such an application would be considered noncompliant under this NOFO and would not be reviewed for funding.

17) Can an applicant pay foreign consultants under this opportunity?

Yes, the description indicates that paying foreign consultants is still permitted, as long as it is done in accordance with NIH policy.

18) Can an applicant buy specialized equipment or supplies from a foreign vendor?

Yes. The information provided indicates that purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors is allowed.

19) What is the original closing date for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed is September 26, 2029.

20) What is the creation date for the listing?

The creation date provided for the listing is October 14, 2026.

21) What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing information associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under multiple CFDA/Assistance Listing numbers: 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.273, 93.279, 93.473, 93.846, 93.853, 93.855, 93.859, 93.866, 93.867, and 93.879.

22) Does the provided information include an award ceiling or expected number of awards?

No. The provided text does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for budget guidance, limits, review criteria, and institute-specific interests.

23) What kinds of applicants is this opportunity best suited for?

Based on the description provided, it is best suited for applicants who can justify why a tightly coordinated interdisciplinary team of three to six leaders is essential; who can show how the collaboration will function scientifically and operationally; and who can propose a bold program aimed at a major leap forward rather than a set of incremental studies.

24) What is NIH emphasizing about how collaboration should work during the project?

NIH is emphasizing continual interaction and coordination across disciplines, including integrated planning and shared frameworks. The description highlights that cross-disciplinary feedback should be meaningful throughout the project and should be capable of changing the direction of the work as results emerge.

25) What is the main international compliance risk highlighted in the opportunity description?

The main international compliance risk described is including foreign subawards or subcontracts. The text indicates that proposals involving paid foreign subawards/subcontracts under this NOFO would be noncompliant and not reviewed for funding, so international arrangements must be planned carefully.