Methods and Measurement in Research with Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R21- Clinical Trials Not Allowed) | RFA MD 20 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA MD 20 005

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Methods and Measurement in Research with Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R21 - Clinical Trials Not Allowed)" under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-MD-20-005. The central goal of this initiative is to fund research that improves how health-related constructs are defined and measured when studying sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. In practical terms, this means supporting early-stage, exploratory projects (R21 mechanism) that develop, refine, validate, or otherwise advance research tools and measurement approaches so that SGM health research can produce more accurate, reliable, and meaningful findings. Because it is an R21 and explicitly states "Clinical Trials Not Allowed," the supported work is intended to focus on methods, measurement science, instrument development, and related methodological advances rather than testing interventions through clinical trial designs.

The opportunity sits within NIH's broader health and health disparities research mission and is categorized under the funding activity areas of education and health. It is associated with CFDA numbers 93.242, 93.307, and 93.399, which are NIH catalog identifiers tied to relevant research and health programs. The original application closing date listed for this announcement was March 13, 2020, and the record indicates the opportunity was created on December 23, 2019. The public synopsis does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided fields, suggesting applicants would need to consult the full NIH funding announcement for budget limits, project period expectations, and review criteria typical of the R21 mechanism.

A wide range of applicant organizations are eligible. Standard eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and 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 that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and both nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status) that are not institutions of higher education. The eligibility list also includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses, as well as an "other" category that can cover additional entity types depending on NIH definitions and the full announcement details. Beyond this general eligibility, the notice specifically calls out additional eligible applicant types 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. This emphasis signals NIH interest in broad participation, including institutions and organizations that may be well-positioned to conduct culturally grounded measurement work with diverse SGM communities.

The announcement also clarifies rules for foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicants. However, "foreign components," as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed. In NIH terms, this typically means a U.S.-based applicant organization can include certain international elements in the project (for example, a specific performance site, collaborator, or aspect of the work occurring outside the U.S.) if it meets NIH's definition and is justified, but the applicant organization itself must be domestic and the structure must comply with NIH policy.

Overall, this funding opportunity is designed to strengthen the foundations of SGM health research by improving measurement quality. By targeting methods and measurement rather than clinical trials, NIH is signaling that better tools, constructs, and assessment strategies are essential for producing trustworthy evidence about SGM health, understanding disparities, and ultimately informing future research and practice that can be more responsive to SGM populations.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Methods and Measurement in Research with Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Populations (R21- 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): 93.242, 93.307, 93.399.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-12-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-03-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

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