NIGMS National and Regional Resources (R24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 22 065

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the NIGMS National and Regional Resources program (R24, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

This NIH opportunity supports established, high-value shared biomedical research resources that operate at a national or multi-state regional scale. The focus is on keeping proven service-oriented facilities and resource centers running so they can continue providing broad access to advanced capabilities that many investigators could not maintain on their own.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is sustained operation and broad access. NIGMS is prioritizing resources that enable strong utilization across many institutions by providing reliable services, expertise, and access to specialized capabilities, rather than supporting traditional investigator-driven research projects.

3) What kinds of resources or capabilities can be supported?

Examples described include specialized equipment, cutting-edge technologies, research tools, software platforms that are tied to a service operation, and the expert staff required to operate and support those capabilities. The key is that the resource functions as a shared service that many investigators can use.

4) What does it mean for the resource to be a “true service resource”?

The resource should provide research capabilities and expertise to a large number of investigators and be available to any qualified user. It should not be restricted to a single lab, department, or a narrow set of projects. The expectation is wide access and strong utilization by a broad community.

5) Is this opportunity intended to create brand-new resources?

Generally, no. NIGMS is looking for resources that already exist and have demonstrated value, stability, and demand. New resources are only appropriate when they result from consolidating multiple existing local or regional operations into one more efficient resource that achieves economies of scale and expands access to more users.

6) Does the FOA support major new research and development (R&D)?

No. Major new R&D is out of scope. This mechanism is intended to support operations, user access, and sustained availability of a proven resource, not to build an R&D program aimed at inventing new technologies.

7) Are clinical trials allowed under this announcement?

No. Clinical trials are not allowed under this FOA (R24, Clinical Trial Not Allowed).

8) Are stand-alone data resources or databases eligible?

No. Stand-alone data resources and databases are not eligible. A proposal that is essentially a data repository, without an integrated, service-based resource component, would not fit this opportunity.

9) How does NIH view duplication of existing resources?

Applicants need to show that the proposed resource does not duplicate or replace capabilities already supported by other NIH Institutes and Centers, and that it is not something that should be provided by the host institution as routine infrastructure.

10) Does the resource need to align with a specific NIH mission?

Yes. The resource must align with NIGMS program areas. NIGMS will only support resources whose technical capabilities fall within its scientific mission.

11) What operational expectations are emphasized for awardees?

NIGMS expects awardees to keep the resource aligned with current best practices. This generally implies routine modernization, maintenance, and incremental upgrades needed to remain state of the art, while continuing to deliver reliable service at scale.

12) Are outreach and promotion of the resource required?

Yes. The resource should actively promote awareness of its capabilities to the broader biomedical research community through outreach, with the aim of supporting broad utilization and access.

13) Is training and user support part of the expectation?

Yes. The resource should provide training and user support so investigators across different institutions can effectively access and use the technologies or services.

14) What is the overall “ideal” resource profile described in the listing?

The program description points to a mature, highly utilized shared resource that has strong governance and a clear plan for sustained, reliable service at national or regional scale, with broad access for qualified users.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations, including government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, tribal organizations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses, and regional organizations.

16) Are specific institution types encouraged or explicitly included?

The announcement highlights inclusion of institution types such as HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.

17) Can foreign organizations apply?

No. Non-U.S. entities and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply.

18) Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. component in the application?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components (as NIH defines them) are not allowed.

19) What type of grant mechanism and agency are involved?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through NIGMS, using the R24 mechanism (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) for National and Regional Resources.

20) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA listing?

The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-22-065. The CFDA listing provided is 93.859.

21) What is the closing date shown in the listing?

The original closing date shown is June 14, 2024.

22) Is the award ceiling or expected number of awards provided?

No. The provided listing does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

23) Is there a unique limitation related to prior NIGMS support?

Yes. A constraint noted for this FOA is that it is limited to resources developed through previous NIGMS funding. Applicants generally need to demonstrate an NIGMS-supported origin and a track record showing the resource is already functioning and ready for continued, scaled service to a broad user base.

24) What kind of track record is implied as important?

The description emphasizes demonstrated value, stability, and demand, along with broad utilization and readiness to continue operating as a service resource at national or regional scale.

25) What is the key distinction between this program and a typical research project grant?

This program emphasizes operating and sustaining shared services and broad access to established capabilities. It is not primarily intended to fund investigator-driven research aims or major technology invention efforts.