Planning for the TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT) (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA DE 23 014

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): TMD IMPACT Planning Grant (RFA-DE-23-014)

What is the TMD IMPACT funding opportunity?

The Planning for the TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT) opportunity (RFA-DE-23-014) is an NIH planning grant mechanism (R34). It funds early-stage planning activities to prepare for a future national, interdisciplinary, patient-centered research collaborative focused on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs).

What is the main purpose of this R34 planning grant?

The main purpose is to support the foundational planning work needed to design and implement a coordinated, multi-site collaborative that can advance TMD science from basic discovery through clinical research and ultimately into evidence-based treatments and improved routine care.

Is this grant meant to launch a full research network right away?

No. The central purpose is not to immediately launch a fully powered national research network. Instead, it supports planning and readiness activities that make a future, larger collaborative feasible and competitive when later funding opportunities are released.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. The opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." Applicants should not propose a clinical trial within this R34 planning grant.

If clinical trials are not allowed, what types of activities does the award support?

The award supports planning activities such as building and formalizing interdisciplinary and multi-institution partnerships, designing how the future collaborative will function, creating governance and coordination approaches, developing shared infrastructure and capabilities, and preparing strategies for harmonized multi-site methods and data.

What does "patient-centered translational research" mean in the context of this opportunity?

It means the planned collaborative should be designed so patient needs, outcomes, and real-world clinical impact stay central to the research agenda, while also strengthening pathways that move findings from research into clinical practice.

What is the expected scope of the future TMD IMPACT collaborative being planned?

The planned collaborative is expected to support coordinated work across TMD basic and clinical research, research training, and translation to improved clinical care. The intent is a unified, national effort rather than a loose collection of unrelated projects.

What outcomes should applicants be working toward during the planning period?

Applicants are expected to enhance institutional readiness and competitiveness for future participation in the broader TMD IMPACT collaborative. The planning period should result in a clearer structure, partnerships, strategies, and infrastructure that position the group well for later implementation-focused funding.

What does "coordinated, multi-site effort" imply for planning activities?

It implies planning for cross-site coordination so that future studies can align under a shared vision and operate with harmonized methods and data approaches, making results more comparable and collaborative-wide activities more efficient.

Who administers this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal grant in the health category administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the funding mechanism used for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses the NIH R34 mechanism, which is a planning grant designed to support preparatory work ahead of larger-scale implementation efforts.

What is the maximum award amount (ceiling) for this planning grant?

The listed award ceiling for the planning grant is $200,000.

When was this funding opportunity created, and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on January 10, 2023, and it originally closed on April 14, 2023.

Which CFDA program listings are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to multiple CFDA program listings: 93.103, 93.121, 93.213, 93.286, 93.313, 93.846, and 93.853.

What types of U.S. organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes many U.S.-based applicant types, including state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.

Are institutions serving specific populations explicitly included as eligible applicants?

Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.

Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Faith-based or community-based organizations are specifically highlighted among eligible applicant types.

Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are listed among the additional eligible applicant types.

Can a non-U.S. (foreign) organization apply as the main applicant?

No. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicants.

Are foreign components allowed in any form?

Yes. Foreign components are allowed as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement. In general terms, a U.S. applicant may include a clearly justified foreign component when it is necessary for the research objectives, even though the applicant organization must be domestic.

What is the practical difference between a foreign applicant and a foreign component here?

A foreign applicant (a non-U.S. organization applying directly) is not allowed. A foreign component may be included by a U.S. applicant if it is justified as necessary for the project, consistent with NIH policy definitions.

Does this opportunity focus only on research, or does it also include training and clinical translation?

The described scope explicitly includes advancing TMD basic and clinical research, research training, and translation to improved clinical care, indicating that planning should account for all of these elements as part of a coordinated national effort.

What should applicants avoid proposing under this R34?

Applicants should avoid proposing a clinical trial, since the opportunity is "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," and should avoid framing the project as an immediate launch of a fully powered research network rather than a planning and infrastructure-development effort.

What is the long-term goal of the planning grant?

The long-term goal is to prepare organizations and partnerships for future implementation-focused funding that would support a national, interdisciplinary TMD IMPACT collaborative capable of moving discoveries toward evidence-based treatments and better routine care.