National Dental Practice-Based Research Network: Administrative and Resource Center (U19 Clinical Trial Required) | RFA DE 19 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DE 19 001

The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network: Administrative and Resource Center (U19 Clinical Trial Required) opportunity (RFA-DE-19-001) is a discretionary, NIH/NIDCR cooperative agreement designed to keep a national dental practice-based research network (DPBRN) running and productive. The core idea is to support research that happens where most dental care actually takes place: real-world dental practices. NIDCR is looking to strengthen the national infrastructure needed to run multiple prospective observational studies and clinical trials that answer practical questions dentists and patients face every day, and to speed up the movement of results from research into routine clinical care.

This FOA specifically funds the DPBRN Administrative and Resource Center, which is expected to be led by a National Network Director. In parallel, NIDCR plans to fund a separate DPBRN Coordinating Center through a companion announcement (RFA-DE-19-002). Together, these companion awards are meant to function as a connected system: the Administrative and Resource Center provides leadership, oversight, and network-level support, while the Coordinating Center supports the operational and technical side of implementing studies and trials. The Administrative and Resource Center application, therefore, needs to be framed around national leadership, network management, and ensuring the broader DPBRN has the capacity to efficiently deliver multiple studies over time.

The goals emphasize efficiency and practicality. NIDCR wants the DPBRN to make it easier, faster, and more consistent to conduct national oral health research in diverse dental practices, focusing on topics that matter to practitioners and their patients. The expected output is evidence that can directly inform daily patient care decisions, not just academic publications. A major priority is translation: making sure findings do not stay confined to journals but are incorporated into clinical practice through dissemination, implementation support, and ongoing engagement with practicing clinicians. The FOA also signals an expectation of momentum, noting that the network should build on prior NIDCR investment and show continued growth and productivity, which implies strong performance management, measurable deliverables, and a clear plan for sustaining and expanding participation and study throughput.

In terms of structure and funding, this is a U19 cooperative agreement, which generally means substantial NIH involvement during the project rather than a hands-off grant. The “Clinical Trial Required” label indicates the supported network infrastructure is expected to enable clinical trials (alongside observational studies), so applicants should be prepared to address the oversight, compliance, and operational realities of conducting trials in practice settings. NIDCR anticipates making a single award under this announcement (ExpectedAwards: 1), with an award ceiling listed at $3,200,000, signaling a single national hub rather than multiple regional hubs funded under this particular FOA.

Eligibility is broad and includes many organization types that could credibly host a national administrative center, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and a range of government entities (state, county, city/township, special districts), as well as Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. The awarding agency is the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and the activity category is Health (CFDA 93.121). Key dates included a creation date of March 7, 2018, and an original closing date of July 17, 2018.

Overall, this opportunity is about national-scale leadership and infrastructure for dental practice-based research: organizing and supporting a network that can repeatedly and reliably run real-world oral health studies and clinical trials, generate evidence that clinicians can use immediately, and actively push those findings into everyday dental practice. The Administrative and Resource Center is positioned as the backbone of governance, strategy, and network functioning, working hand-in-hand with a separately funded Coordinating Center to deliver a cohesive national research platform.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Dental Practice-Based Research Network: Administrative and Resource Center (U19 Clinical Trial Required)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.121.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 07, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 17, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• 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 (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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