Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Planning Grants (R34 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Background
The Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Planning Grants program, launched in 2000 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aims to support federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes, Tribal colleges and universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations. The goal is to promote Tribal health research that is prioritized and led by eligible Tribal entities, ultimately improving Tribal health.

This funding opportunity addresses recommendations from a 2021 Tribal Consultation to enhance participation of eligible entities in the NARCH program by providing support for planning and preparatory work needed to develop competitive NARCH applications.

Grant Details
The NARCH Planning Grant supports eligible Tribal entities that do not currently have a NARCH award to conduct preparatory work for developing a competitive NARCH application. The application should include:
1. A plan to formulate overall goals for a future NARCH application, including assessing administrative capacity needs and determining allowable components (Research Project, Pilot Project Program, Career Enhancement Projects, or Research Infrastructure Enhancement Projects).
2. Activities to lay groundwork for potential components of the future application, such as defining research questions and assessing workforce and infrastructure needs.
3. Efforts to identify collaborators and advisors to strengthen the application. All activities must contribute coherently to developing a competitive NARCH application. The recipient organization is expected to submit a NARCH S06 application within one year of the end date of the Planning Grant award.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include federally recognized AI/AN Tribes, Tribal colleges/universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations that are not currently supported by a NARCH S06 award or an active NARCH Planning Grant award. Organizations may partner with non-Tribal organizations but must allocate at least 75% of requested funds to eligible Tribal entities.

Period of Performance
The project period is limited to 2 years from the start date of the grant.

Grant Value
Application budgets must not exceed $225,000 in annual direct costs, excluding consortium facilities and administrative costs. The number of awards will depend on NIH appropriations and the number of meritorious applications.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed in locations relevant to the participating federally recognized AI/AN Tribes or Tribal organizations.