Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 21 006
The Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MD-21-006) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant solicitation designed specifically for eligible U.S. small business concerns. The overall purpose is to fund innovative, commercialization-oriented research and development that results in a tangible product or deliverable, such as a product, tool, technology, process, or service, with the clear public health goal of improving minority health and reducing or eliminating health disparities. The opportunity is structured under the SBIR mechanism using the R43/R44 activity codes, which typically align with the SBIR phased approach: Phase I (R43) for early feasibility and proof-of-concept work, and Phase II (R44) for continued R&D and further development toward commercialization. The “clinical trial optional” designation means applicants may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive.
The FOA emphasizes innovations that address persistent inequities affecting specific priority populations. These include socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, underserved rural populations, and sexual and gender minority populations, along with efforts aimed at improving health outcomes in racial and ethnic minority populations. In practice, the announcement is looking for solutions that can be translated into real-world use and scaled through commercialization, rather than purely descriptive or basic research. A competitive application would be expected to define a disparity-related health problem, explain why existing approaches are insufficient, and then present an innovation that can realistically be developed, validated, and brought to market in a way that benefits the populations named in the FOA. The commercialization focus is central: the proposed work should plausibly lead to adoption in healthcare, public health, community settings, or consumer markets, depending on the nature of the innovation.
Eligibility is limited to U.S. small businesses, consistent with SBIR rules. Foreign (non-U.S.) institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply under this announcement. At the same time, the FOA notes that “foreign components,” as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowable. This usually means a U.S.-based applicant may include certain elements of the work that occur outside the United States if they are well-justified, properly documented, and permitted under NIH policy, but the applicant organization itself must remain an eligible U.S. small business and the project must comply with NIH requirements governing any foreign component.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by NIH, with the funding activity category listed as Health and the CFDA number indicated as 93.307. The opportunity was created on March 11, 2021, with an original closing date of May 3, 2021. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling amount or the expected number of awards, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for details on allowable budgets, SBIR caps (if applicable), and project period expectations.
In short, this FOA is aimed at moving practical, innovation-driven solutions out of the lab or prototype stage and closer to market, specifically where those solutions can measurably improve health for minority populations and reduce disparities for groups that are routinely underserved or experience disproportionate burdens of disease. The ideal projects are those that combine technical novelty with a credible path to real-world implementation and commercialization, while staying tightly aligned with disparity reduction and minority health improvement outcomes.Apply for RFA MD 21 006
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.307.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)" opportunity?
This is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding opportunity focused on supporting innovative, commercialization-oriented research and development (R&D). The goal is to produce a tangible product or deliverable (such as a product, tool, technology, process, or service) that improves minority health and reduces or eliminates health disparities.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MD-21-006.
Which NIH program mechanism and activity codes are used in this opportunity?
This opportunity uses the SBIR mechanism under the R43/R44 activity codes, which generally align with the SBIR phased approach: Phase I (R43) and Phase II (R44).
What is the difference between SBIR Phase I (R43) and Phase II (R44) in this FOA?
Phase I (R43) typically supports early-stage feasibility and proof-of-concept work. Phase II (R44) typically supports continued R&D and further development toward commercialization after feasibility has been established.
Are clinical trials required to apply?
No. The FOA is designated "clinical trial optional", meaning an applicant may propose studies that include clinical trials if appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required to be considered responsive.
What kinds of outcomes or deliverables is NIH looking for under this opportunity?
The FOA emphasizes R&D that leads to a tangible product or deliverable, such as a product, tool, technology, process, or service. The intended outcome should be something that can be translated into real-world use and scaled through commercialization.
What is the overall purpose of the FOA?
The purpose is to fund innovation-driven, commercialization-oriented R&D with a clear public health goal: improving minority health and reducing or eliminating health disparities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to eligible U.S. small business concerns, consistent with SBIR rules.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply?
No. Foreign (non-U.S.) institutions are not eligible to apply under this announcement.
Are non-domestic components of U.S. organizations eligible to apply?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply under this announcement.
Can a U.S. small business include any work outside the United States?
The FOA notes that "foreign components" (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) may be allowable. In practice, this generally means a U.S.-based applicant may include certain elements of work occurring outside the U.S. if they are well-justified, properly documented, and permitted under NIH policy, while the applicant organization remains an eligible U.S. small business and the project complies with NIH requirements for foreign components.
What populations and disparity areas does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA highlights innovations that address persistent inequities affecting priority populations, including:
- socioeconomically disadvantaged populations
- underserved rural populations
- sexual and gender minority populations
- efforts aimed at improving health outcomes in racial and ethnic minority populations
What makes a project concept a strong fit for this FOA based on the description provided?
Based on the provided summary, a strong-fit project would be expected to: (1) define a disparity-related health problem, (2) explain why existing approaches are insufficient, and (3) present an innovation that can realistically be developed, validated, and brought to market to benefit the populations named in the FOA. A credible path to real-world implementation and commercialization is central.
Is this FOA intended for basic research or descriptive studies?
The FOA is described as seeking solutions that can be translated into real-world use and scaled through commercialization, rather than purely descriptive or basic research.
What is meant by "commercialization-oriented" in this FOA?
It means the proposed work should plausibly lead to adoption and use outside the research setting, such as in healthcare, public health, community settings, or consumer markets, depending on the innovation. The project should move toward market readiness, not just generate knowledge.
What types of settings could the resulting innovations be adopted in?
The FOA description indicates innovations may be positioned for adoption in healthcare, public health, community settings, or consumer markets, depending on the nature of the innovation and the commercialization plan.
What federal agency and institute are associated with this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What type of grant is this from an administrative standpoint?
It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity offered by NIH.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is listed as Health.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number indicated is 93.307.
When was this opportunity created and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on March 11, 2021, and the original closing date was May 3, 2021.
Does the provided information include the award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The source information provided does not specify an award ceiling amount or the expected number of awards.
Where would an applicant typically look for budget limits or project period expectations?
Because the summary does not include award ceilings, number of awards, or detailed budget limits, applicants would typically consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance for details on allowable budgets, SBIR caps (if applicable), and project period expectations.
What is the primary public health goal emphasized in this FOA?
The primary public health goal is to support innovations that measurably improve health for minority populations and reduce or eliminate health disparities affecting underserved or disproportionately burdened groups.
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