The REACHing Communities (REACH) Consortium is a funding opportunity forecasted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative is led by the FDA's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) and aligns with its ongoing mission to advance health equity and improve health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority populations. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the FDA intends to establish a consortium comprising multiple cooperative agreement recipients under the U01 mechanism.
The primary objective of the REACH Consortium is to support and expand research, outreach, and communication efforts that address health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority groups. Funded projects will focus on strengthening minority health and advancing equity by supporting initiatives that also include training and mentorship opportunities for students, fellows, and early-career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. The program is expected to foster collaborative environments that promote sustainable solutions for equitable healthcare access and improved public health outcomes.
Funding is structured as a cooperative agreement, with the FDA maintaining substantial programmatic involvement during project performance. Each award is expected to be $3,000,000, and a total of six awards are anticipated. While the full scope of allowable costs is not detailed, activities must align with the overall purpose of the REACH initiative and are likely to include community-engaged research, targeted communication strategies, and educational outreach.
The opportunity is open to a wide array of applicants, including state and local governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, tribal entities, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations including small businesses, and housing authorities. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements, making the opportunity more accessible to a diverse pool of potential applicants.
As a forecasted opportunity, key dates including the application open and close dates, award notification, and project start date have not yet been established. The forecast was last updated on November 21, 2024, with an expected publication date in fiscal year 2025. Contact for the opportunity is Terrin Brown at the FDA, who can be reached via email at terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov or phone at 240-402-7610.
Applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov and the FDA's funding pages for updates. Since the opportunity is expected to recur, prospective applicants should also plan for a likely annual release and check back in Fall 2025 for the next cycle.
