Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AT 23 007
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), released this discretionary funding opportunity (RFA-AT-23-007) to support the creation of REsearch Across Complementary and Integrative Health Institutions (REACH) Virtual Resource Centers. The award mechanism is a U24 cooperative agreement, which typically means NIH staff will have substantial involvement in the project beyond standard grant oversight, and the project is intended to function as an enabling infrastructure rather than as a standalone hypothesis-driven research study. The FOA is explicitly marked "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," signaling that the funded center should not be proposing or running clinical trials as part of its primary activities; instead, it should provide support that helps others design, prepare for, and compete successfully for external research funding.
The core purpose of these virtual resource centers is to strengthen research capacity and research training for faculty clinician scientists working in accredited complementary and integrative health clinical institutions. The FOA highlights the kinds of institutions and disciplines it is trying to reach, including schools and programs in acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and music and art therapy. A defining feature is the emphasis on partnership: REACH centers are expected to foster institutional collaborations and to help investigators across multiple complementary and integrative health institutions work together, share expertise, and build multi- and interdisciplinary research teams. In practical terms, the "virtual" nature implies that the center is designed to connect people and services across locations through coordinated online infrastructure, consultation, shared resources, and cross-institutional programming rather than being limited to a single physical hub.
The services envisioned are broad and meant to cover the common gaps that prevent clinician faculty at these institutions from competing effectively for federal research funding. The FOA lists resource categories that centers may provide, including administrative support (for coordination, compliance navigation, and day-to-day operations), research support (study design input, methods consultation, measurement selection, data considerations, and related guidance), grantsmanship (help with proposal development, responsiveness to NIH expectations, budgeting, and submission strategy), mentoring and training (structured mentorship, skill-building sessions, and career development support), and team building (matchmaking across institutions, facilitation of collaborations, and development of interdisciplinary project teams). The center is therefore positioned as a shared backbone that helps clinician scientists move from ideas to fundable applications, while also improving the overall research culture and infrastructure within partner institutions.
Programmatically, the FOA expects REACH centers to concentrate on resources that support investigators pursuing clinical research broadly defined, but not clinical trials under this announcement. Examples of the types of research activities the supported investigators may be working toward include observational studies, epidemiological research, mechanistic clinical research, mixed methods research, and feasibility studies. Importantly, these efforts should align with NCCIH strategic priorities, with the FOA specifically calling out symptom management as a priority area. In other words, the center is not just building generic research capacity; it is building capacity that can translate into competitive, strategically aligned applications that fit NCCIH interests and NIH standards.
The FOA spells out several expected outcomes that serve as the practical yardsticks for success. First, REACH centers should measurably improve both the quality and the quantity of federal research grant applications submitted by clinician scientist faculty at complementary and integrative health clinical institutions. Second, they should actively help form multi- and interdisciplinary research partnerships across the participating institutions, not just within a single school or discipline. Third, they should contribute to enhancing the research environment at these institutions, which can include strengthening policies, norms, mentorship structures, and operational capacity that make sustained research possible. Fourth, they should support a longer-term pipeline by helping train and position clinician scientists educated in complementary and integrative health practices to pursue research careers within clinical institutions, increasing the likelihood that research capacity persists beyond the grant period.
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic organization types commonly allowed under NIH funding, such as state, county, city, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other entities. The FOA also explicitly mentions additional eligible applicant categories, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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. At the same time, it draws a clear line on foreign eligibility: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, meaning a U.S. applicant may include certain foreign elements when they are justified and consistent with NIH policy, even though a foreign organization cannot be the applicant institution.
From a funding and administrative perspective, the opportunity is categorized under Health (CFDA 93.213) and uses a cooperative agreement structure, reinforcing that NIH expects an active partnership role in shaping and monitoring the center's progress. The listed award ceiling is $750,000, indicating the maximum anticipated annual direct cost level or total cost cap depending on the FOA specifics (the ceiling figure in summarized listings often reflects the maximum per award, but applicants would still need to confirm budgeting rules within the full announcement). The original closing date was November 10, 2022, and the FOA was created on August 22, 2022, which is useful context if someone is looking for reissues, related future opportunities, or comparable NCCIH infrastructure programs rather than this exact closed round.
Overall, this FOA is best understood as an infrastructure and capacity-building initiative aimed at helping complementary and integrative health clinical institutions become more research-active and more competitive for federal funding. Rather than paying for a specific clinical study, it pays for a coordinated virtual center that can train, mentor, connect, and technically support clinician scientists, with an emphasis on strengthening grant submissions, catalyzing cross-institution partnerships, improving institutional research environments, and building a durable clinician-scientist pipeline aligned with NCCIH priorities in symptom management.Apply for RFA AT 23 007
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "REsearch Across Complementary and Integrative Health Institutions (REACH) Virtual Resource Centers (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.213.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-08-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-11-10. (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 $750,000.00 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), issued through the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), under FOA number RFA-AT-23-007. It supports the creation of REsearch Across Complementary and Integrative Health Institutions (REACH) Virtual Resource Centers.
What is a REACH Virtual Resource Center?
A REACH Virtual Resource Center is a coordinated, primarily online (virtual) center designed to strengthen research capacity and research training at accredited complementary and integrative health clinical institutions. Rather than being a single physical hub, it connects people, expertise, and services across locations using shared infrastructure, consultation, shared resources, and cross-institutional programming.
What is the main purpose of the REACH centers?
The core purpose is to strengthen research capacity and research training for faculty clinician scientists working in accredited complementary and integrative health clinical institutions, and to help them become more competitive for external (including federal) research funding.
Is this opportunity intended to fund a specific research study?
No. The FOA describes an enabling infrastructure initiative rather than a standalone, hypothesis-driven research project. The center is meant to provide shared support that helps other investigators develop stronger, fundable research applications and build sustainable research capacity.
What award mechanism is used?
The mechanism is a U24 cooperative agreement. This typically means NIH staff will have substantial involvement in the project beyond standard grant oversight, and the work is structured as an enabling resource or infrastructure.
Does NIH have an active role in the project under this mechanism?
Yes. Because this is a cooperative agreement (U24), NIH expects an active partnership role in shaping and monitoring the center’s progress, beyond typical grants management.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. The FOA is explicitly marked "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." The center should not propose or run clinical trials as part of its primary activities.
If clinical trials are not allowed, what kinds of research are supported indirectly?
The center is expected to support investigators pursuing clinical research broadly defined (without proposing clinical trials under this announcement). Examples mentioned include observational studies, epidemiological research, mechanistic clinical research, mixed methods research, feasibility studies, and related preparatory work that positions investigators to compete for external funding.
Who is the primary audience or beneficiary of the REACH center services?
The primary beneficiaries are faculty clinician scientists at accredited complementary and integrative health clinical institutions who need support to build research skills, develop collaborations, and submit competitive federal grant applications.
What types of complementary and integrative health institutions or disciplines are highlighted?
The FOA highlights schools and programs in areas such as acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and music and art therapy.
What does "virtual" mean in this FOA?
"Virtual" implies that the center operates across multiple locations through coordinated online infrastructure and services. The emphasis is on connecting investigators and institutions through shared resources, remote consultation, and cross-institution programs, rather than relying on a single in-person site.
Is partnership across institutions required or emphasized?
Yes. A defining feature is collaboration. REACH centers are expected to foster institutional partnerships and help investigators across multiple complementary and integrative health institutions work together, share expertise, and build multi- and interdisciplinary teams.
What kinds of services can a REACH center provide?
The FOA describes broad resource categories, including administrative support (coordination and operations), research support (methods and study design guidance), grantsmanship support (proposal development and NIH alignment), mentoring and training (structured mentorship and skill-building), and team building (matchmaking and facilitation of cross-institution collaborations).
What is meant by administrative support in this context?
Administrative support may include coordination across partners, navigating compliance expectations, and managing day-to-day operational needs of the center so investigators can more effectively move research ideas toward fundable applications.
What is meant by research support in this context?
Research support may include study design input, methods consultation, measurement selection guidance, data-related considerations, and other technical assistance that helps investigators strengthen research plans and align them with NIH standards.
What is meant by grantsmanship support?
Grantsmanship support includes help with proposal development, ensuring responsiveness to NIH expectations, budgeting approaches, and submission strategy so investigators can submit stronger, more competitive federal grant applications.
What is meant by mentoring and training support?
Mentoring and training can include structured mentorship, skill-building sessions, and career development support to help clinician scientists gain the competencies needed to pursue research careers and successfully compete for funding.
What is meant by team building support?
Team building includes matchmaking across institutions, facilitating collaborations, and helping form multi- and interdisciplinary research teams that can pursue stronger, more competitive research proposals.
What priority areas should the supported research capacity align with?
The FOA indicates that supported efforts should align with NCCIH strategic priorities and specifically calls out symptom management as a priority area.
What outcomes does the FOA expect from funded REACH centers?
The FOA lists expected outcomes such as measurable improvements in the quality and quantity of federal research grant applications submitted by clinician scientist faculty, increased multi- and interdisciplinary partnerships across participating institutions, enhancements to institutional research environments, and strengthened long-term clinician-scientist training and career pipelines.
How will success be judged according to the FOA summary provided?
Success is framed around practical yardsticks: more and better federal grant applications, stronger cross-institution research partnerships, improved research environments within participating institutions (policies, mentorship structures, operational capacity), and sustained development of clinician scientists pursuing research careers.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic U.S. organization types typically eligible for NIH funding. Examples listed include state/county/city/special district governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, and other eligible entities.
Are specific institution categories explicitly mentioned as eligible?
Yes. The FOA explicitly mentions categories including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), 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.
Can a foreign organization apply as the applicant?
No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as the applicant institution.
Are any foreign elements allowed at all?
Yes. The summary states that foreign components (as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement) are allowed. This means a U.S. applicant may include certain justified foreign elements consistent with NIH policy, even though a foreign organization cannot be the applicant.
What is the maximum award amount listed?
The listed award ceiling is $750,000. The summary notes that this figure is commonly presented as a maximum per award in summarized listings, and applicants would need to confirm detailed budgeting rules in the full announcement.
What federal program area is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under Health, with CFDA number 93.213.
When was this FOA created and when did it close?
The FOA was created on August 22, 2022, and the original closing date was November 10, 2022.
What should someone do if they are interested but the FOA is closed?
Based on the dates provided, this specific round is closed. The timing details may still be useful for tracking reissues, related future opportunities, or similar NCCIH infrastructure and capacity-building programs.
What is the key takeaway about what this grant funds?
This FOA funds a shared, virtual, capacity-building center that trains, mentors, connects, and technically supports clinician scientists at complementary and integrative health clinical institutions, with the goal of improving competitiveness for federal research funding and strengthening research partnerships and environments aligned with NCCIH priorities (including symptom management).
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: FY2022 Historic Preservation Fund - Semiquincentennial Grants
Previous opportunity: Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (R35 - Clinical Trial Optional)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA AT 23 007
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA AT 23 007) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Optimization of Genome Editing Therapeutics for Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) (U01 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 23 017 Funding Number: RFA NS 23 017 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| NIA Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI): Entrepreneurship Enhancement Award (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 226 Funding Number: PAR 22 226 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| NIA Research and Entrepreneurial Development Immersion (REDI): Mentored Entrepreneurial Career Development Award (K01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 227 Funding Number: PAR 22 227 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Blood Brain Barrier Response to Antibodies Targeting Beta-Amyloid (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 235 Funding Number: PAR 22 235 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| CCRP Initiative: NIH Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Basic Research on Chemical Threats that Affect the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 027 Funding Number: PAR 23 027 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| AHRQ National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) Apply for RFA HS 22 010 Funding Number: RFA HS 22 010 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Understanding the Supply of Professional Dementia Care Providers and Their Decisions (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AG 23 018 Funding Number: RFA AG 23 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $16,200,000 |
| Development of Animal Models and Related Materials for HIV/AIDS Research (R24 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 204 Funding Number: PAR 22 204 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Resource-Related Research Projects for Development of Animal Models and Related Materials (R24 Clinical Trials Not-Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 22 013 Funding Number: RFA OD 22 013 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAID Investigator Initiated Program Project Applications (P01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 225 Funding Number: PAR 22 225 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 1 (P20 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 250 Funding Number: PAR 22 250 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)-sponsored National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (F32) Apply for PA 22 251 Funding Number: PA 22 251 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: The NHGRI Genomic Data Science Analysis, Visualization, and Informatics Lab-space (AnVIL) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HG 22 020 Funding Number: RFA HG 22 020 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Limited Competition: IDeA Regional Entrepreneurship Development (I-RED) Program (STTR) (UT2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 254 Funding Number: PAR 22 254 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NHGRI Genomic Data Science Analysis, Visualization, and Informatics Lab-space Clinical Resource (ACR) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA HG 22 021 Funding Number: RFA HG 22 021 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 22 270 Funding Number: RFA MH 22 270 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Botulinum Toxin Potency Assay using Tissue Chips (BoT PATCh) (U43/U44 - Clinical Trail Not Allowed) Apply for RFA TR 22 032 Funding Number: RFA TR 22 032 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Clinical Research Sites for the Network of Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT sites) (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 031 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 031 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Data Coordinating Center for the Network of Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NEXT - DCC) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA NS 22 030 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 030 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,300,000 |
| Schizophrenia and related disorders during mid- to late-life (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MH 22 271 Funding Number: RFA MH 22 271 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA AT 23 007", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.