Approved Research Concepts

Keeping up with funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) is critical for researchers seeking federal funding for projects, and often the timeline for submitting grant applications in response to an FOA is short. Having access to recently approved research concepts allows the scientific community to receive advance notice of areas of special interest for NIMHD that are being seriously considered for funding. By getting information early in the process, interested researchers will have more lead time to plan projects, assemble teams, and start formulating their applications.

Advisory Council Research Concept Approval

To help researchers stay abreast of topical areas of interest that are likely to become FOAs, NIMHD posts information for the public about research concepts the National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NACMHD) approves during Advisory Council meetings. NACMHD holds Council meetings three times each year, in February, June, and September. Research concepts approved by NACMHD are likely to become FOAs to further NIMHD’s mission of leading scientific research to improve minority health and reduce health disparities.

Future Funding Opportunity Announcements

It’s important to note that NACMHD approval does not guarantee that a research concept will become a program announcement (PA), request for applications (RFA), or request for proposals (RFP). That decision is made based on scientific and programmatic priorities and the availability of funds. Also, the summaries posted here do not include the award mechanism (R01, R21, or any of the 50 other mechanisms) or the funds allocated for a particular concept. Such information is not available until an approved concept formally becomes an FOA and is published in the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts.

Past Approved Research Concepts

Below are hyperlinks to approved research concepts from past Advisory Council meetings.


Page updated March 15, 2024

Heads-up for Researchers!

Watch this space for advance notice of NIMHD’s approved research concepts.

What is an Approved Research Concept?

Research concepts describe the basic purpose, scope, and objectives of proposed research initiatives and represent an early planning stage for potential NIMHD activities.

Learn More

The National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NACMHD) approves research concepts during Advisory Council meetings to help researchers stay abreast of topical areas of interest that are likely to become FOAs.