NINR Exploratory Center (P20) | RFA NR 17 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NR 17 002

The NINR Exploratory Center (P20) funding opportunity (RFA-NR-17-002) is a discretionary NIH grant program from the National Institute of Nursing Research designed to help organizations launch or strengthen center-based, interdisciplinary efforts that align with NIH and NINR priorities in health and nursing-related science. The P20 mechanism is specifically meant for early-stage center development rather than fully mature centers. In practical terms, it supports the planning and groundwork needed to build a sustainable research or programmatic “center” structure, including testing different models for interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding or reshaping existing institutional resources, and conducting developmental studies that help clarify the best approach to addressing important health problems within the NIH mission. The expectation is that a successful P20 Exploratory Center can become self-sustaining over time and/or evolve into a stronger platform that is competitive for larger, more specialized, or more comprehensive center-level funding in the future.

This announcement falls under the Education and Health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.361. The source information lists an award ceiling of $250,000, indicating the maximum amount available per award under the announcement’s terms. The opportunity was created on August 2, 2017, and the original closing date was November 30, 2017. While the posting details do not specify the number of expected awards, the overall intent is clear: build capacity for interdisciplinary, center-based initiatives that can generate solutions to high-priority health challenges and position the institution for continued growth and external support.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based public and private 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; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (so long as they are not institutions of higher education in that category); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other types of organizations that fit NIH eligibility rules. The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized. This emphasis signals an intent to encourage applications from a wide range of institutions, including those that serve diverse and historically underrepresented communities, and organizations that can connect research planning with real-world community and health system contexts.

At the same time, the opportunity places firm restrictions on foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are not allowed. Taken together, these rules mean the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and the proposed center activities must be carried out without foreign components as part of the project structure.

Overall, this P20 Exploratory Center announcement is best understood as seed funding for center formation and strategic growth. It is meant to help applicants organize leadership and shared resources, refine a coherent interdisciplinary direction, and test approaches that could later support larger-scale programs. The program’s value is in enabling an institution or coalition to move from an idea or emerging capability to a credible, structured center with a clearer roadmap, stronger collaborative infrastructure, and better readiness for sustained funding and impact.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NINR Exploratory Center (P20)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-08-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-11-30. (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 $250,000.00 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 NR 17 002

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