Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA TW 21 004
The Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) training grant opportunity designed to build strong, mentored global health research training pipelines through a small number of funded consortia. Under this announcement (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-TW-21-004), NIH planned to support up to six consortia that can organize high-quality research training experiences tied to real-world health needs and research infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The overall emphasis is on developing future global health researchers by combining structured training with hands-on, mentored research conducted at established biomedical and public health research institutions and project sites in LMICs, particularly sites already supported by NIH investments.
A central focus of the program is mentored research training for multiple trainee stages, spanning pre-doctoral and pre-professional degree students as well as post-doctoral and recent post-professional degree participants. Importantly, the program is meant to include trainees both from the United States and from LMICs, reflecting the intent to strengthen research capacity and career development on both sides of the partnership. Training is expected to occur in settings where trainees can gain practical experience in global health research, learn how to operate in collaborative international environments, and develop the skills needed to move toward greater research independence over time.
The scientific scope is intentionally broad, but it is not meant to be generic. Proposed training opportunities should align with the health priorities identified by the collaborating LMIC partners and also fit within the scientific priorities of NIH Institutes and Centers. In practice, this means applications are expected to show a clear connection between the training environment, the research questions trainees will engage with, and the priority health challenges in the LMIC settings where the work occurs. The goal is for trainees to build a solid scientific foundation that supports rigorous study design and implementation, appropriate research conduct, and the ability to communicate research results effectively. The funding opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which signals that training programs may include clinical trial-related research experiences, but they are not required to do so.
Equity and workforce diversity are explicit program goals. LAUNCH places a strong emphasis on increasing the participation of individuals from nationally underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical research. Alongside trainee development, the initiative is also intended to strengthen global health programs at U.S. academic institutions, including minority-serving institutions (MSIs), while simultaneously supporting the sustainability of health research capacity at LMIC institutions. In other words, the program is structured not only to train individuals, but also to reinforce the institutional partnerships, mentorship networks, and research environments that allow global health research careers and programs to endure.
Eligibility is centered on U.S.-based institutions and consortia arrangements led by eligible domestic applicants. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other qualifying organizations. The announcement specifically calls out categories of minority-serving institutions that are eligible and encouraged as applicants or partners, including 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), and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). At the same time, the opportunity clearly excludes non-U.S. entities from applying as the primary applicant: non-domestic (non-U.S.) organizations are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. This structure signals that while the training and research are intended to be carried out in LMIC settings through partnerships, the administrative home of the grant must remain with an eligible U.S. institution.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant in the NIH training and education category, with activity aligned to global health research training (D43 mechanism). The opportunity was created on May 19, 2021, with an original closing date of August 20, 2021. It is associated with multiple CFDA numbers (93.242, 93.313, 93.398, 93.847, 93.853, 93.989), reflecting participation or alignment across several NIH components. While the source data does not list an award ceiling amount, it indicates an expectation of making awards to a limited number of consortia (up to six), which typically implies a competitive process focused on well-developed training plans, strong mentorship capacity, meaningful LMIC partnerships, and clear strategies for trainee career development and program sustainability.Apply for RFA TW 21 004
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.242, 93.313, 93.398, 93.847, 93.853, 93.989.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-05-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-08-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the LAUNCH Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional)?
The Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research training grant opportunity designed to build strong, mentored global health research training pipelines. It supports a small number of funded consortia that provide structured training plus hands-on, mentored research experiences in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
What is the funding opportunity number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is RFA-TW-21-004.
What does the program aim to accomplish?
The program emphasizes developing future global health researchers by combining structured training with mentored, practical research conducted at established biomedical and public health research institutions and project sites in LMICs. A key goal is to help trainees build skills that support rigorous study design and implementation, appropriate research conduct, effective communication of findings, and progress toward greater research independence over time.
How many awards did NIH plan to make under this announcement?
NIH planned to support up to six consortia under this announcement.
Who is the primary target audience for the training?
The program is intended to support multiple trainee stages, including pre-doctoral and pre-professional degree trainees, as well as post-doctoral and recent post-professional degree participants.
Are trainees expected to come only from the United States?
No. The program is meant to include trainees both from the United States and from LMICs, reflecting the intent to strengthen research capacity and career development on both sides of the partnership.
Where is the mentored research training expected to take place?
Training is expected to occur in LMIC settings where trainees can gain practical experience in global health research. The announcement highlights research environments tied to real-world health needs and research infrastructure in LMICs, particularly sites already supported by NIH investments.
Is the scientific scope limited to a narrow set of diseases or topics?
The scientific scope is described as intentionally broad, but not generic. Proposed training opportunities are expected to align with health priorities identified by collaborating LMIC partners and also fit within the scientific priorities of NIH Institutes and Centers.
What does it mean that the opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional"?
"Clinical Trial Optional" indicates that training programs may include clinical trial-related research experiences, but they are not required to do so.
What kinds of outcomes or trainee skills are emphasized?
The opportunity emphasizes building a solid scientific foundation for trainees, including rigorous study design and implementation, appropriate research conduct, and the ability to communicate research results effectively. It also emphasizes learning how to operate in collaborative international environments and building toward research independence.
Does the program place any special emphasis on equity and diversity?
Yes. Equity and workforce diversity are explicit goals. LAUNCH places strong emphasis on increasing participation of individuals from nationally underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical research.
How does the program relate to minority-serving institutions (MSIs)?
The initiative is intended to strengthen global health programs at U.S. academic institutions, including minority-serving institutions (MSIs). The announcement identifies several MSI categories that are eligible and encouraged as applicants or partners.
Which minority-serving institution categories are specifically called out as eligible and encouraged?
The announcement specifically calls out 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); and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Who can apply as the primary applicant?
Eligibility is centered on U.S.-based institutions and consortia arrangements led by eligible domestic applicants. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other qualifying organizations.
Can an LMIC institution apply as the primary applicant?
No. Non-U.S. (non-domestic) organizations are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant under this opportunity.
Can a non-U.S. component of a U.S. organization apply as the primary applicant?
No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply as the primary applicant.
If non-U.S. organizations cannot apply, how are LMIC partners involved?
The program is structured so that the administrative home of the grant remains with an eligible U.S. institution, while training and mentored research are intended to be carried out in LMIC settings through partnerships and consortia arrangements.
What kind of grant mechanism and category is this?
This is a discretionary NIH grant in the training and education category, using the D43 mechanism aligned to global health research training.
When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on May 19, 2021, and had an original closing date of August 20, 2021.
Are there CFDA numbers associated with this opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA numbers: 93.242, 93.313, 93.398, 93.847, 93.853, and 93.989.
Is an award ceiling amount listed in the provided information?
No. The provided information does not list an award ceiling amount.
What does the limited number of awards suggest about competitiveness?
Because NIH expected to make awards to a limited number of consortia (up to six), the process is likely to be competitive and to favor well-developed training plans, strong mentorship capacity, meaningful LMIC partnerships, and clear strategies for trainee career development and program sustainability.
Beyond training individuals, what broader capacity-building goals are included?
In addition to developing trainees, the initiative is intended to strengthen institutional partnerships, mentorship networks, and research environments at both U.S. and LMIC institutions. It also aims to support the sustainability of health research capacity at LMIC institutions and strengthen global health programs at U.S. academic institutions, including MSIs.
Is the program tied to real-world health needs in LMICs?
Yes. The program emphasizes training experiences tied to real-world health needs and research infrastructure in LMICs, with an expectation that proposals show clear connections among the training environment, trainee research questions, and priority health challenges in the LMIC settings where work occurs.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA TW 21 004) also looked into and applied for these:
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| HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 21 246 Funding Number: PAR 21 246 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA NS 22 002 Funding Number: RFA NS 22 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MD 22 004 Funding Number: RFA MD 22 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Education Program on Translational Devices (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 146 Funding Number: PAR 22 146 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities - (U01 - Clinical Trial Required) Apply for RFA DK 22 014 Funding Number: RFA DK 22 014 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities Research Coordinating Center (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 22 015 Funding Number: RFA DK 22 015 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities Research Coordinating Center (U24 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 23 003 Funding Number: RFA DK 23 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Centers for AIDS Research (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 116 Funding Number: PAR 23 116 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Developmental Centers for AIDS Research (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 23 117 Funding Number: PAR 23 117 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HIV-associated Non-Communicable Diseases Research at Low- and Middle-Income Country Institutions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 191 Funding Number: PAR 23 191 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| Interventions for Stigma Reduction to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 23 190 Funding Number: PAR 23 190 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 091 Funding Number: PAR 24 091 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 24 092 Funding Number: PAR 24 092 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovations for Healthy Living - Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA MD 24 006 Funding Number: RFA MD 24 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAID, NIDDK, NIDA, and NIAAA Research Opportunities for New and "At-Risk" Investigators (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 25 249 Funding Number: PA 25 249 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 354 Funding Number: PAR 25 354 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Multidisciplinary Studies of HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 25 355 Funding Number: PAR 25 355 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for RFA OD 25 003 Funding Number: RFA OD 25 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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