Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program (D43 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA TW 21 004

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.

• 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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