Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 21 005
The funding opportunity titled "Technologies for Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-MD-21-005) is a discretionary grant program offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under CFDA 93.307. It uses the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism, meaning it is designed specifically for eligible US small business concerns to partner with a research institution to translate scientific ideas into practical, commercial-ready solutions. The central purpose is to support the development of a product, process, or service that can be commercialized and that directly contributes to improving minority health and reducing, and ultimately eliminating, health disparities affecting NIH-defined populations that experience disparities.
The FOA is focused on technology development that is not only scientifically sound, but also realistic in real-world settings where disparities persist. NIH emphasizes that proposed technologies should be effective (able to produce meaningful health improvements), affordable (priced and structured so underserved communities and the systems serving them can actually adopt them), and culturally acceptable (designed in ways that fit the values, language needs, preferences, and lived realities of the populations intended to benefit). In practice, this can include a wide range of potential innovations, such as digital health tools, diagnostics, devices, care delivery platforms, data systems, screening technologies, decision support tools, or other interventions that can be deployed in clinical, community, public health, or home settings. The unifying requirement is that the technology targets minority health improvement and/or measurable reduction of health disparities and has a plausible pathway toward commercialization.
This opportunity is offered through the STTR R41/R42 phased structure, which generally supports early feasibility and proof-of-concept work in Phase I (R41) and more advanced research and development activities in Phase II (R42), with the intent of de-risking the technology enough to attract follow-on investment, partnerships, or procurement and to move toward market launch. The announcement notes that clinical trials are optional, which means applicants may propose clinical trial activities if they are appropriate and justified for the maturity of the technology, but they are not required to include a clinical trial to be responsive. That flexibility can be helpful for projects that are still in prototyping, validation, usability testing, implementation planning, or non-trial evaluation stages, while still allowing more clinically oriented projects to proceed with formal trial designs if needed.
Eligibility is limited primarily to US small business concerns, reflecting the STTR program's goal of stimulating commercialization from the US small business sector while leveraging research partnerships. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply, and non-US components of US organizations are also not eligible to apply as applicants. However, the FOA indicates that foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in some circumstances, which typically means a project may include certain foreign activities or collaborations only if they are clearly justified as essential to the project and allowable under NIH policy, rather than being a primary base of operations or an applicant organization.
From an administrative standpoint, the announcement was created on March 11, 2021, with an original closing date of May 3, 2021. While the excerpt does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards, it clearly frames the program as a targeted technology development and commercialization effort aligned with NIH's mission to address inequities in health outcomes. Overall, the FOA is best suited for small businesses that can demonstrate (1) a clear health disparity problem and population focus, (2) a technology-driven solution that is feasible to develop and scale, (3) a thoughtful approach to affordability and cultural fit, and (4) a credible commercialization pathway that could support adoption in the communities most affected by the disparity.Apply for RFA MD 21 005
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Technologies for Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R41/R42- 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 name of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Technologies for Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional)."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-MD-21-005.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant program offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.307.
What grant mechanism does this program use?
This FOA uses the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanism, specifically the R41/R42 phased structure.
What is the overall purpose of this FOA?
The central purpose is to support development of a product, process, or service that can be commercialized and that directly contributes to improving minority health and reducing, and ultimately eliminating, health disparities affecting NIH-defined populations that experience disparities.
Who is this opportunity best suited for?
It is best suited for eligible U.S. small business concerns that can partner with a research institution and demonstrate (1) a clear health disparity problem and population focus, (2) a technology-driven solution that is feasible to develop and scale, (3) an intentional approach to affordability and cultural fit, and (4) a credible commercialization pathway supporting adoption in communities most affected by the disparity.
What types of projects does the FOA support?
The FOA supports technology development aimed at real-world settings where disparities persist, with an emphasis on solutions that are effective, affordable, and culturally acceptable to the populations intended to benefit.
What kinds of technologies are in scope?
Examples mentioned include digital health tools, diagnostics, devices, care delivery platforms, data systems, screening technologies, decision support tools, and other interventions that can be deployed in clinical, community, public health, or home settings.
Does the technology need to have a commercialization pathway?
Yes. A unifying requirement is that the technology has a plausible pathway toward commercialization and is oriented toward a commercial-ready solution.
What does NIH mean by "effective" in this context?
NIH emphasizes that proposed technologies should be able to produce meaningful health improvements, particularly for NIH-defined populations experiencing health disparities.
What does NIH mean by "affordable" in this context?
NIH emphasizes that technologies should be priced and structured so underserved communities and the systems serving them can realistically adopt them.
What does NIH mean by "culturally acceptable" in this context?
NIH emphasizes that technologies should be designed to fit the values, language needs, preferences, and lived realities of the intended populations.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The FOA indicates that clinical trials are optional. Applicants may propose clinical trial activities if appropriate and justified, but a clinical trial is not required to be responsive.
When would a clinical trial be appropriate under this FOA?
Clinical trial activities may be proposed when they fit the maturity and needs of the technology and are justified as part of moving the solution toward real-world use and commercialization.
Can projects that are not ready for clinical trials still apply?
Yes. The FOA explicitly notes flexibility for projects in stages such as prototyping, validation, usability testing, implementation planning, or other non-trial evaluation approaches.
How do the R41 and R42 phases differ?
Phase I (R41) generally supports early feasibility and proof-of-concept work. Phase II (R42) generally supports more advanced research and development activities intended to further de-risk the technology and move it closer to commercialization.
What is the intent of the phased STTR structure?
The intent is to de-risk the technology enough to attract follow-on investment, partnerships, or procurement and to move toward market launch.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited primarily to eligible U.S. small business concerns, consistent with the STTR program's goal of stimulating commercialization from the U.S. small business sector while leveraging research partnerships.
Are foreign institutions eligible to apply?
No. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply under this FOA.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply?
No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as applicants.
Are any foreign activities allowed at all?
The FOA indicates that foreign components (as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement) may be allowed in some circumstances, typically when clearly justified as essential to the project and allowable under NIH policy.
Is a research institution partnership part of the program design?
Yes. As an STTR opportunity, it is designed for eligible U.S. small business concerns to partner with a research institution to translate scientific ideas into practical, commercial-ready solutions.
What populations does the FOA aim to help?
The FOA targets NIH-defined populations that experience health disparities, with the goal of improving minority health and reducing and ultimately eliminating health disparities.
Is this program focused on real-world implementation?
Yes. The FOA stresses that proposed technologies should be realistic in real-world settings where disparities persist, not only scientifically sound in controlled environments.
Where can the supported technologies be deployed?
The FOA mentions potential deployment in clinical, community, public health, or home settings, depending on the technology and intended use case.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The announcement was created on March 11, 2021.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was May 3, 2021.
Does the provided information include an award ceiling or number of awards?
No. The excerpt does not provide an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.
What is the key requirement that ties all eligible projects together?
The unifying requirement is that the proposed technology directly targets minority health improvement and/or measurable reduction of health disparities and includes a plausible pathway toward commercialization.
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