Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HD 20 003
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement RFA-HD-20-003 supports the creation of Centers for Collaborative Research in Fragile X and FMR1-Associated Conditions, referred to as "Fragile X Centers." This is a discretionary grant mechanism using the NIH P50 center format, and it is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," meaning applicants may propose clinical trials if they are scientifically appropriate, but a clinical trial is not required. The intent is to build coordinated, multidisciplinary research centers where multiple investigators work together in a structured way to tackle high-priority questions in Fragile X syndrome and other conditions linked to the FMR1 gene, aligned with research priorities laid out in an NIH strategic plan for this area.
A key feature of this program is the emphasis on collaboration and team science. Rather than funding isolated projects, the FOA is designed to support integrated centers that bring together complementary expertise (for example, basic science, translational research, clinical research, and potentially behavioral or health services research) to address targeted priorities. The center structure typically implies shared goals, coordinated leadership, and synergy across projects so that the overall impact is larger than what individual awards would produce separately. In practical terms, proposed centers are expected to function as hubs that accelerate discovery and translation for Fragile X and FMR1-associated conditions by aligning multiple research efforts under a unified strategy.
The opportunity falls under health-related funding activity categories and is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.242, 93.350, 93.853, 93.865), reflecting NIH program alignment across related institutes or program areas. The announcement lists an award ceiling of $1,300,000, indicating the maximum annual direct cost level or overall cap as specified in the FOA (applicants would still need to follow the detailed budget rules described in the full announcement). The original application due date listed for this announcement was July 3, 2020, and the FOA record shows it was created on January 16, 2020, which is useful context for understanding its timeline and whether it may have been superseded by newer opportunities.
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic organization types commonly eligible for NIH grants. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The FOA also notes eligibility for for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, as well as an "Other" category that NIH sometimes uses to capture additional allowable applicant types described in the full policy framework.
The announcement also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant categories that NIH aims to include and encourage, such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and 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; eligible federal agencies; regional organizations; and U.S. territories or possessions. These statements signal an intent to broaden participation and ensure institutions serving historically underrepresented communities are clearly included among eligible applicants.
At the same time, the FOA draws clear boundaries around foreign participation. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, the announcement allows "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. In NIH terms, that typically means a U.S.-based applicant may include certain well-justified collaborations or performance sites outside the U.S. when they are essential to the project, but the primary applicant organization must be domestic and must follow NIH rules governing foreign components.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as support for building a coordinated research center focused on Fragile X and related FMR1-associated conditions, with the expectation that investigators will work together across disciplines to address strategic priorities, potentially including (but not requiring) clinical trial activity. The program is structured to fund a center-level effort rather than a single study, and it is open to a wide range of U.S.-based institutions, including academic, nonprofit, governmental, and certain for-profit organizations, while restricting direct foreign applications but permitting appropriately justified foreign components within a U.S.-led project.Apply for RFA HD 20 003
- The National Institutes of Health in the health, income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers for Collaborative Research in Fragile X and FMR1-Associated Conditions (P50 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.350, 93.853, 93.865.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-01-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-07-03. (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 $1,300,000.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIH RFA-HD-20-003 Fragile X Centers (P50)
What is NIH RFA-HD-20-003 funding?
RFA-HD-20-003 is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity announcement (FOA) that supports the creation of Centers for Collaborative Research in Fragile X and FMR1-Associated Conditions, referred to as "Fragile X Centers." The FOA uses the NIH P50 center grant format, which is intended to support an integrated, multidisciplinary research center rather than a single, standalone project.
What is the main purpose of these "Fragile X Centers"?
The purpose is to build coordinated research centers where multiple investigators work together in a structured and collaborative way to address high-priority research questions in Fragile X syndrome and other conditions linked to the FMR1 gene. The centers are expected to function as hubs that accelerate discovery and translation by aligning multiple research efforts under a unified strategy.
What research areas or topics does the FOA focus on?
The FOA focuses on Fragile X syndrome and other FMR1-associated conditions. The work is expected to align with research priorities described in an NIH strategic plan for Fragile X and FMR1-associated conditions, as referenced in the opportunity description.
What does it mean that this FOA uses the NIH P50 center format?
The P50 center format is designed to support a center-level effort with coordinated leadership, shared goals, and synergy across multiple projects and investigators. The intent is that the center structure produces an overall impact greater than what separate, isolated awards would produce.
Is collaboration required under this opportunity?
Yes. A central feature of this FOA is an emphasis on collaboration and team science. The announcement is designed to support integrated centers that bring together complementary expertise and coordinate multiple research efforts under a unified strategy.
What kinds of expertise or disciplines are expected to be involved in a proposed center?
The FOA emphasizes multidisciplinary team science and gives examples of complementary expertise that may be brought together, such as basic science, translational research, clinical research, and potentially behavioral or health services research. The key expectation is coordinated, complementary contributions aligned to targeted priorities.
Does this funding opportunity require a clinical trial?
No. The FOA is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional." That means applicants may propose clinical trials if they are scientifically appropriate, but proposing a clinical trial is not required to apply under this opportunity.
Can applicants include a clinical trial as part of the center?
Yes. Because the FOA is "Clinical Trial Optional," clinical trials may be proposed when they make scientific sense for the proposed center strategy, but they are not mandatory.
Is this opportunity intended to fund a single research study or something larger?
It is intended to fund a center-level effort rather than a single study. The FOA emphasizes coordinated, multidisciplinary centers with multiple investigators working together, with synergy across projects and coordinated leadership.
What is the maximum award amount listed for this FOA?
The FOA lists an award ceiling of $1,300,000. This reflects the maximum level described in the announcement (for example, as a maximum annual direct cost level or other cap as specified). Applicants are still expected to follow the detailed budget rules in the full FOA.
What is the original application due date for RFA-HD-20-003?
The original application due date listed for this announcement was July 3, 2020.
When was the FOA record created?
The FOA record shows it was created on January 16, 2020.
Why does the timeline (creation date and due date) matter?
The creation date and original due date provide context about when the opportunity was active and can help applicants consider whether the FOA may have been superseded by newer opportunities.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S. domestic organization types commonly eligible for NIH grants. The FOA lists eligible applicants such as state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA notes eligibility for for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The FOA states that nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are eligible.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education.
Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.
Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights U.S. territories or possessions among additional eligible applicant categories that NIH aims to include and encourage.
Does the FOA encourage applications from institutions serving historically underrepresented communities?
Yes. The FOA explicitly highlights and encourages participation from categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). It also mentions faith-based or community-based organizations among additional eligible categories NIH aims to include and encourage.
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly includes faith-based or community-based organizations among additional eligible applicant categories that NIH aims to include and encourage.
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The FOA mentions eligible federal agencies among the additional eligible applicant categories that NIH aims to include and encourage.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) institutions eligible to apply as the main applicant?
No. The FOA states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the applicant organization.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply directly?
No. The FOA states that non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.
Are any international activities allowed under this FOA?
Yes, in a limited way. While foreign institutions cannot be the applicant organization, the FOA allows "foreign components" as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. This typically means a U.S.-based applicant may include well-justified collaborations or performance sites outside the U.S. when essential to the project, subject to NIH rules for foreign components.
What does the FOA mean by allowing "foreign components"?
Based on NIH policy terminology referenced in the description, a "foreign component" generally refers to a project element performed outside the U.S. that is included under a U.S.-led application when it is essential and appropriately justified, and when it complies with NIH Grants Policy Statement requirements.
What funding activity categories is this opportunity associated with?
The opportunity falls under health-related funding activity categories, consistent with NIH research funding.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this FOA?
The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.242, 93.350, 93.853, and 93.865. This reflects NIH program alignment across related institutes or program areas.
What is meant by "discretionary grant mechanism" in this context?
The description indicates this is a discretionary grant mechanism using the NIH P50 center format. In practical terms, it is an NIH grant opportunity where the agency supports a structured center program aligned to stated priorities, following NIH grant policies and the specific FOA requirements.
What does "center structure" imply for how the proposed work should be organized?
The FOA description implies shared goals, coordinated leadership, and synergy across projects and investigators. The expectation is that multiple research efforts are aligned under a unified center strategy to increase overall impact.
How should applicants think about "team science" for this FOA?
Team science is presented as a core organizing principle: the FOA is designed to support coordinated, multidisciplinary collaboration rather than separate investigators pursuing unrelated work. The center is expected to integrate complementary expertise and align efforts to targeted Fragile X and FMR1-associated priorities.
Does the FOA specify that projects must be basic, translational, or clinical?
The description emphasizes multidisciplinary integration and gives examples that may include basic science, translational research, and clinical research, and potentially behavioral or health services research. The key constraint described is alignment to high-priority questions and the strategic plan priorities referenced by the FOA.
Is the goal to accelerate translation and impact?
Yes. The centers are described as hubs intended to accelerate discovery and translation for Fragile X and FMR1-associated conditions by coordinating multiple research efforts under a unified strategy.
What does the "Other" eligibility category mean?
The FOA notes an "Other" category that NIH sometimes uses to capture additional allowable applicant types described in the full policy framework. The description indicates there may be additional eligible applicants beyond the explicitly listed categories, as allowed under NIH rules and the FOA.
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