Pediatric Heart Network Clinical Research Centers (UM1 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA HL 24 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA HL 24 001

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications for institutions to serve as Clinical Research Centers (CRCs) within the Pediatric Heart Network (PHN), under the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) titled "Pediatric Heart Network Clinical Research Centers (UM1 Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-HL-24-001). This program uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (UM1), meaning awardees are expected to work closely with NIH and other network partners in a coordinated, multi-site research enterprise rather than operating as fully independent, investigator-initiated projects. The overarching goal is to strengthen and expand multi-center clinical research that improves health outcomes and quality of life for children and adults with congenital heart disease, as well as children with acquired heart disease.

CRCs funded through this FOA are expected to actively support and conduct collaborative clinical research across multiple institutions. The network emphasis includes designing and carrying out studies that evaluate medical therapies, interventional approaches, and surgical treatments in real-world, multi-center settings. In addition to testing and comparing therapies, the PHN aims to support the development of new treatment techniques and research methodologies that can move the field forward. A central expectation is that CRCs will contribute to a coordinated research infrastructure capable of enrolling participants, implementing protocols consistently, maintaining high-quality data and regulatory compliance, and working efficiently with other sites to generate strong, generalizable evidence.

A key component of the CRC role is close collaboration with the PHN Data Coordinating Center (DCC), which is funded through a companion FOA (RFA-HL-24-002) using the U24 cooperative agreement mechanism. In practice, this means CRCs should be prepared to coordinate with the DCC on protocol implementation, data collection standards, quality assurance, statistical and operational planning, and network-wide study conduct. The FOA also signals that CRCs will collaborate not only with the DCC and NIH but also with other stakeholders involved in pediatric and congenital heart disease research, reflecting an expectation of shared governance, harmonized procedures, and collective problem-solving typical of a cooperative research network.

Beyond generating clinical evidence, the FOA highlights several broader network priorities. One is identifying and attempting to address equity gaps in outcomes, indicating that CRCs should be attentive to disparities in access, treatment, and results across different populations and should support research practices that improve representation and equity. Another priority is workforce development: the PHN is intended to serve as a training platform for fellows, junior faculty, and nurses, so CRCs are expected to provide meaningful opportunities for early-career professionals to gain experience in multi-center clinical research, trial conduct, and collaborative science. The program also emphasizes dissemination and implementation of results, meaning CRCs should help ensure that findings move beyond publication toward practical uptake in clinical care, strengthening the scientific basis for treating affected patients across diverse settings.

Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes many types of U.S. organizations such as state, county, and local governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations. The FOA also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicants that align with capacity-building and inclusive participation goals, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-U.S. (foreign) entities.

From an administrative standpoint, this is categorized as a discretionary health funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement funding instrument. The CFDA/assistance listing numbers associated with the opportunity are 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, and 93.840. The source data lists an award ceiling of $281,250, and it provides an original closing date of 2023-05-12 (with a creation date of 2023-01-10). Applicants interested in the scientific context of the network can reference the PHN website (https://www.pediatricheartnetwork.org/), which reflects the program’s broader mission of conducting high-impact, multi-center clinical research to improve care for pediatric and congenital heart disease populations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pediatric Heart Network Clinical Research Centers (UM1 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.233, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.840.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-01-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-12. (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 $281,250.00 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.

Apply for RFA HL 24 001

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: