Whole Person Research and Coordination Center (Whole Person RCC) U24 (Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AT 24 010

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AT 24 010

The NIH is soliciting applications for a Whole Person Research and Coordination Center (Whole Person RCC) through a U24 cooperative agreement under the broader NIH Whole Person Initiative. The central idea behind this opportunity is to create a dedicated coordination hub that can organize, connect, and accelerate whole person health research across disciplines and programs. Rather than funding a standalone research project, the RCC is meant to function as the operational backbone for the initiative, providing structure, shared processes, and cross-network support so that multiple teams and research efforts can work in a coordinated way toward common goals.

A major motivation for establishing the RCC is the NIH goal of integrating current and emerging biomedical knowledge into a unified, multi-scale “human knowledge network.” In practical terms, that means bringing together information that sits at different biological and functional levels (for example, from organs and systems up through whole-body function and health) and making it easier for researchers to align concepts, methods, and data. The NOFO frames the starting point for this long-term effort as mapping the “physiome layer,” beginning with the creation of a conceptual map grounded in standard, well-accepted knowledge of healthy human physiology. This early mapping work is intended to provide a shared reference model of normal function that future whole person research programs can build on when studying variation, dysregulation, and health outcomes.

The RCC is expected to play a convening and enabling role. It is described as integral to coordinating both the initial and future research programs and networks that emerge within the Whole Person Initiative. That includes fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, which is critical in whole person health because the questions often cross traditional boundaries (for example, linking physiology, behavior, environment, and clinical phenotypes). It also includes providing logistical support infrastructure for the initiative as a whole, meaning the practical coordination functions that allow a distributed research community to operate like a connected network. While the NOFO description does not list every operational task in the excerpt provided, the intent is clearly to fund a center that can manage coordination, communication, alignment of activities, and other shared supports that keep multi-group efforts moving in the same direction.

This funding opportunity is a discretionary NIH cooperative agreement (U24), which typically means NIH staff will have substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard research grant. The opportunity is explicitly labeled “Clinical Trial Not Allowed,” so applications should not propose clinical trials under this award. The activity category is listed broadly under education, environment, food and nutrition, and health, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of whole person health work.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Restrictions on non-U.S. participation are clearly stated. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. At the same time, foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed, which generally means a U.S. applicant organization may include certain defined foreign elements in the project when justified and permitted under NIH policy.

Key administrative details from the source information include the funding opportunity title “Whole Person Research and Coordination Center (Whole Person RCC) U24 (Clinical Trial Not Allowed),” funding opportunity number RFA-AT-24-010, and agency National Institutes of Health. The original application due date is listed as 2024-11-01. The award ceiling is $1,500,000. The CFDA numbers associated with the opportunity are 93.113, 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.310, 93.361, 93.847, 93.855, and 93.866. The posting creation date is 2024-06-18. The number of expected awards is not specified in the provided text.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, environment, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Whole Person Research and Coordination Center (Whole Person RCC) 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): 93.113, 93.121, 93.213, 93.242, 93.273, 93.279, 93.286, 93.310, 93.361, 93.847, 93.855, 93.866.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-01. (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 $1,500,000.00 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.

Apply for RFA AT 24 010

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