Interdisciplinary Research Networks to Advance Biomedical Research on Resilience and Health Optimization

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the Office of Dietary Supplements intend to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Fiscal Year 2027. This NOFO aims to support interdisciplinary research networks to advance biomedical research on resilience, aligning with the priorities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Make America Healthy Again Commission, and the Department of Health and Human Services to optimize the health and well-being of all Americans. Resilience is defined by the NIH Resilience Research Working Group as the capacity to resist, recover, adapt, or grow from challenges or stressors. Americans across the lifespan face an alarming number of acute and chronic stressors, such as viral infections, burnout, bullying, financial hardship, environmental toxins, and natural disasters that can contribute to development or worsening of chronic diseases, ultimately impacting population health and well-being. Resilience outcomes (i.e., resistance, recovery, adaptation, or growth) can be measured over time and across interconnected systems encompassing the whole person, including individual (e.g., molecular, physiological, psychological), environmental, and community domains. Utilizing the U24 funding mechanism, this NOFO will support interdisciplinary research networks to grow the resilience research community and accomplish high-impact scientific activities that foster an innovative, rigorous, and reproducible body of resilience research. Appropriate activities include meetings, conferences, interdisciplinary cross-training (e.g. workshops, visiting scholar programs), research collaborations, and other training opportunities. The networks will also support innovative small-scale pilot projects to generate preliminary data in preparation for future NIH grants. Furthermore, the networks will be expected to engage in dissemination and outreach strategies (e.g., publications of research frameworks, reviews, design protocols, and best practices). This NOFO encourages interdisciplinary collaborations of researchers and clinicians with expertise in several domains of resilience science (e.g., cellular, physiological, psychological, social, and environmental). Grant authorities that allow NCCIH to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC...

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) the scientific merit innovation and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; (6) the relevance and importance to the announced program objectives and when applicable,and (7) the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for safeguarding human or animal subjects. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed...