Notice of Intent to Publish a Forecast for EmbraceHealth Clinical Research Network to Reduce Health Disparities Research Sites

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), has issued a notice of intent to publish a forthcoming funding opportunity for the EmbraceHealth Clinical Research Network to Reduce Health Disparities – Research Sites. This is a forecasted funding opportunity, and applications are not currently being solicited. However, the announcement serves to provide potential applicants with ample time to develop appropriate collaborations and prepare responsive projects ahead of the estimated application window. The opportunity is being pursued under the cooperative agreement mechanism and aligns with NIH’s broader mission of improving health outcomes through research-driven interventions. The primary objective of the EmbraceHealth Clinical Research Network is to establish a national infrastructure capable of addressing a broad array of health disparities. Each selected site or consortium will be expected to carry out research that targets pressing public health concerns and diseases known to affect underserved and marginalized populations. Projects should aim to develop, test, and implement both clinical and behavioral interventions that are scalable, reproducible, and effective across different healthcare settings, particularly those with fewer resources. Key features of each research site within the network include the ability to efficiently recruit clinicians for health services and clinical research, standardize and harmonize electronic health record (EHR) data using common data elements for intra- and inter-site analyses, and develop and test workflows, decision-support systems, and interventions. Further, each site must demonstrate capacity for research on emergent health conditions relevant to health disparities, including strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and disease management. Participation also includes active collaboration with other research sites and the network’s coordinating center to ensure central data sharing and storage. This initiative will utilize either the U01 (Research Program Grant Cooperative Agreements) or UG3/UH3 activity codes, indicating a cooperative research framework that allows for phased funding and milestone-driven project execution. While funding levels, ceiling and floor award amounts, and total program funding have not yet been disclosed, the intent is to support multiple research sites, with an estimated application due date of February 2, 2026. The anticipated award date is July 1, 2026, with project activities expected to begin on September 1, 2026. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, encompassing a wide range of institutions and organizations, including public and private institutions of higher education, small businesses, tribal governments and organizations (both recognized and non-recognized), county and state governments, public housing authorities, independent school districts, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit entities other than small businesses. This inclusive eligibility framework underscores the NIH’s intent to foster cross-sector partnerships that are essential for tackling complex health disparities. For further information and clarification, potential applicants may contact Dr. Larissa Avilés-Santa at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. She can be reached via email at avilessantal@nih.gov or by phone at 301-827-6924. As this is a forecasted opportunity, no application portal is open at this time, but further details are expected to be released with the official funding announcement estimated for November 28, 2025.