Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1) | PAR 17 340

FAQs: NIH NIGMS Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1) - PAR-17-340

What is the RM1 Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams?

The RM1 Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams is an NIH funding opportunity from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) designed to support highly integrated, tightly coordinated research teams working together on a single ambitious scientific problem aligned with the NIGMS mission.

What kind of projects is this program designed to fund?

This program is intended for genuinely team-science-driven projects that tackle major, difficult biological or biomedical research questions that are not realistically solvable by one laboratory or by loosely connected labs working in parallel.

How many PDs/PIs are required on an RM1 application?

Each application must be built around a group of three to six Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PDs/PIs) working together on a single, ambitious scientific problem.

What does NIGMS mean by a "highly integrated" and "tightly coordinated" team?

The FOA emphasizes that outcomes should depend on synergy, shared strategy, and deliberate coordination. The project is expected to function as one coherent program with interdependent aims, rather than a collection of independent or loosely related work packages.

What are reviewers looking for in an RM1 team-science proposal?

Reviewers are looking for strong evidence that the project requires deep scientific and managerial integration, and that the collaboration is essential to success. The proposal should clearly show why the combined expertise across the PD/PI group creates capabilities that no single investigator could assemble alone.

How should the scientific vision be presented in an RM1 application?

The proposal should articulate a compelling overarching vision, explain why the problem is both important and hard, and demonstrate how the integrated team approach enables far-reaching objectives capable of producing major advances in the field.

What are "managed team interactions," and why do they matter?

"Managed team interactions" signals that a credible plan for how the team will operate is expected. This includes leadership structure, decision-making processes, communication approaches, conflict resolution, and coordination of milestones across the team to ensure the work proceeds as a unified program.

Does the RM1 program support multiple separate subprojects under one umbrella?

The program is not intended for a bundle of separate subprojects that could be funded as individual grants. The aims should be tightly linked and interdependent, with ongoing integration across the PD/PI team.

What is considered out of scope for this RM1 opportunity?

Applications that are primarily about building, expanding, or maintaining community resources are considered out of scope. Proposals centered mainly on creating new technologies, constructing infrastructure, or general platform development are also not appropriate if those activities are the main thrust.

Can a proposal focus mainly on developing a tool, database, resource center, or facility?

No. While tools, platforms, and resources can be valuable, this announcement emphasizes answering a major biological or biomedical research question through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach rather than delivering a tool, database, resource center, or facility as the primary output.

What is the primary emphasis of the RM1 program?

The emphasis is on achieving transformative advances by addressing a major, mission-relevant scientific challenge through an integrated team approach, rather than producing incremental progress or primarily resource/technology outputs.

Who is eligible to apply as the applicant organization?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special district), as well as independent school districts.

Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligibility includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and tribal organizations, including those other than federally recognized tribal governments.

Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?

Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicant organizations.

Are minority-serving institutions explicitly included in the eligible applicant categories?

Yes. The announcement explicitly highlights eligibility for organizations 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).

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are explicitly highlighted among additional eligible applicant categories.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. The announcement includes U.S. territories or possessions among eligible applicant categories.

Can a foreign (non-U.S.) institution apply as the applicant organization?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions/organizations) are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization for this opportunity.

Can a non-domestic component of a U.S. organization apply?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.

Are international collaborations allowed at all under this opportunity?

Yes, in a limited way. "Foreign components" (as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. A U.S.-based eligible applicant may include certain foreign activities or collaborations if they meet NIH's definition and requirements for a foreign component.

What does it mean that the application must be led by a U.S.-based applicant?

It means the applicant organization submitting the proposal must be an eligible U.S. entity. International elements may be included only as allowable foreign components when justified and compliant with NIH policy.

What is the opportunity number and administering institute for this RM1 program?

The opportunity number is PAR-17-340. The funding opportunity is from NIH and is associated with the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).

What is the funding category and assistance listing information provided?

The excerpt describes this as a discretionary grant opportunity in the health funding category under CFDA 93.859.

When was this opportunity created, and what closing date is listed in the excerpt?

The opportunity was created on September 22, 2017. The excerpt lists an original closing date of January 29, 2020.

Does the provided information specify the award ceiling or number of expected awards?

No. The excerpted source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Those details would typically be confirmed in the full FOA text and any related NIH notices.

What are the core "fit" signals for a strong RM1 application based on the excerpt?

The strongest fit is described as a proposal that demonstrates: (1) a major scientific challenge aligned with NIGMS priorities, (2) a three-to-six PD/PI team whose combined expertise is necessary, (3) tightly linked aims requiring ongoing integration, and (4) a realistic management plan showing unified operations and the potential for transformative advances.