Community Engagement Evaluation and Data Coordination (CEED) Hub to Advance Data and Practice Transformation for Optimizing Oral Health for All (U01, Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Community Engagement Evaluation and Data Coordination Hub (CEED) opportunity is being developed by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health. NIDCR leads federal research efforts focused on improving dental, oral, and craniofacial health. This forecasted funding opportunity is part of a broader NIH initiative that aims to advance oral health outcomes across the lifespan, particularly through community-based participatory research and data-driven approaches. The CEED Hub will function as a central coordinating entity within a larger consortium known as Advancing Data and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), which emphasizes collaboration, data utilization, and equitable health outcomes. The primary purpose of this opportunity is to establish a coordination hub that supports multiple community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects within the ADAPT consortium. The CEED Hub is expected to provide infrastructure and expertise across three major domains: data planning and analytics consultation, evaluation of community engagement strategies, and operational support for consortium-wide activities. This includes facilitating communication among research teams, ensuring consistency in data methodologies, and enhancing the use of population-level data to inform oral health interventions. The initiative also integrates collaboration with existing NIH-supported platforms such as the Community Engagement Alliance Consultative Resource and the Science Collaborative for Health Disparities and Artificial Intelligence Reduction of Errors. Funding under this opportunity will be delivered through a cooperative agreement mechanism (U01), which indicates substantial involvement from NIH staff in project oversight and coordination. While specific award amounts, total funding, and number of awards have not yet been disclosed, the scope suggests support for a comprehensive, multi-functional hub capable of managing complex, multi-site research coordination activities. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement indicated. Funds are expected to support activities such as technical assistance, evaluation frameworks, data infrastructure development, and coordination of consortium operations, rather than direct clinical trial implementation. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of entity types. Eligible applicants include small businesses, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, school districts, and housing authorities. This wide eligibility reflects NIH’s intent to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration and participation from organizations with expertise in evaluation, data science, public health, and community engagement. Investigators with relevant experience in program evaluation, quality improvement, and population data science are particularly encouraged to prepare for application. At the time of this notice, applications are not yet being accepted, as this is a forecasted opportunity intended to allow prospective applicants time to build partnerships and develop competitive proposals. The estimated application due date is October 7, 2025, with an anticipated award date and project start date of July 1, 2026. The forecasted notice of funding opportunity is expected to be formally posted around July 3, 2025. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent specified at this stage, though future guidance may include such steps. The application process, once released, will likely follow standard NIH submission procedures, including registration in Grants.gov and submission of a full proposal package detailing project design, evaluation plans, and organizational capacity. Applications will be evaluated based on scientific merit, feasibility, alignment with program goals, and the ability to coordinate effectively across multiple stakeholders. For additional information or inquiries, interested applicants may contact Hiroko Iida at NIDCR via email or phone. This opportunity is positioned as a strategic investment in advancing equitable oral health outcomes through coordinated research and community engagement infrastructure.