NIAMS Resource-based Centers for Bone, Muscle and Orthopaedic Research (BMOR) (P30 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed) | RFA AR 21 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA AR 21 004

The NIAMS Resource-based Centers for Bone, Muscle and Orthopaedic Research (BMOR) funding opportunity (RFA-AR-21-004) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) P30 center grant designed to strengthen and expand shared research infrastructure for investigators working in NIAMS mission areas, particularly rheumatic diseases and related musculoskeletal, bone, muscle, and orthopaedic research. The central idea is to support resource-based centers that offer shared facilities, specialized services, and access to research resources that individual labs or projects typically cannot sustain efficiently on their own. By pooling these capabilities into a well-managed center, NIAMS aims to help groups of independently funded investigators conduct basic, translational, and clinical research more effectively, accelerate progress, improve quality and rigor, and stimulate new projects and collaborations within NIAMS-relevant science. Clinical trials are not allowed under this opportunity, meaning the center award is intended to support enabling infrastructure and resources rather than running clinical trials as part of the P30 itself.

These BMOR Resource-based Centers are expected to function as an institutional or regional hub that multiple research teams can rely on for critical support. In practice, this kind of P30 commonly funds “cores” or shared components (for example, biomechanics, imaging, biostatistics, data management, tissue procurement/biobanking, animal models, histology, genomics/proteomics, or other specialized platforms), along with administrative coordination and governance that ensure the resources are accessible, well-utilized, and maintained at high standards. The overarching NIAMS goal is to make ongoing research programs more efficient and impactful while also lowering barriers for new investigators and new lines of inquiry by providing access to expertise and technologies through shared systems.

Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic organization types that can serve as the applicant institution. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local 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 (including those other than federally recognized governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education where relevant); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses. The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant 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, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the opportunity places clear limits on non-U.S. applicants. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) institutions are not eligible to apply as the primary applicant organization, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, “foreign components” are allowed as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S. applicant organization may include certain international elements in the project when appropriately justified and compliant with NIH policy, even though a foreign institution cannot be the direct applicant.

Administratively, this is a discretionary NIH grant opportunity in the health funding category, listed under CFDA 93.846. The original closing date shown in the source information is August 11, 2020, with a listed award ceiling of $500,000. The opportunity is structured to fund center-level infrastructure rather than standalone research projects, and it is intended to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of NIH/NIAMS-supported investigators by providing shared resources, services, and coordinated support that can amplify the impact of multiple independently funded studies across a broader research community.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIAMS Resource-based Centers for Bone, Muscle and Orthopaedic Research (BMOR) (P30 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.846.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-03-10.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-08-11. (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 $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 AR 21 004

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