Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | RFA AG 20 021

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center (NSC3) funding opportunity?

The Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center (NSC3) funding opportunity (RFA-AG-20-021) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative led by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to establish and operate a central coordinating hub for the network of Nathan Shock Centers (NSCs).

Which agency is sponsoring and leading this opportunity?

This is an NIH funding opportunity led through the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

What is the main purpose of NSC3?

The NSC3 is intended to strengthen the overall impact, cohesion, and national resource value of the Nathan Shock Centers by improving coordination across centers, increasing visibility, enhancing collaboration, supporting training activities, enabling resource sharing, and serving as a structured interface between NIA and the NSCs.

What type of award mechanism does this opportunity use?

The opportunity uses a U24 cooperative agreement mechanism. This generally means the awardee is expected to work closely and collaboratively with NIH program staff and the Nathan Shock Centers network on an ongoing basis, rather than operating independently.

Is this opportunity focused on research projects or research infrastructure?

It is focused on research infrastructure and coordination in the aging field, rather than supporting independent research projects.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. The funding opportunity is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," so proposed activities must avoid proposing or embedding clinical trials.

What does "Clinical Trial Not Allowed" mean for applicants?

It means the application should not include clinical trials as part of the supported activities. Proposed work should remain within coordination, infrastructure, training support, dissemination, and related non-clinical-trial activities described in the FOA summary.

What activities is the NSC3 expected to carry out?

Based on the opportunity description, expected activities include: (1) raising the visibility of the Nathan Shock Centers nationally and internationally; (2) promoting NSC capabilities and helping outside researchers understand how to access NSC resources; (3) improving collaboration and coordination across NSCs; (4) helping centers share best practices and reduce duplication; (5) enhancing and coordinating NSC training activities (such as workshops, webinars, and short courses); (6) facilitating resource discovery and sharing (for example, shared listings or catalogs of services, protocols, technologies, or tools); and (7) serving as a structured interface between NIA and the NSCs for ongoing strategy, planning, and network improvement.

How is the NSC3 expected to increase the visibility of the Nathan Shock Centers?

The coordinating center is expected to raise visibility nationally and internationally by actively promoting what the centers offer, highlighting scientific and technical capabilities, and helping external researchers understand how to access NSC resources.

What does cross-center collaboration and coordination involve in this FOA?

The FOA emphasizes making the NSC network function more like an integrated system rather than standalone centers. This includes supporting collaboration, sharing best practices, aligning approaches where appropriate, reducing duplication, and leveraging resources and expertise across the network.

What role does training play in this coordinating center?

Training is a central component. The NSC3 is expected to enhance NSC training activities by organizing, standardizing, or expanding training opportunities connected to the centers, including workshops, webinars, short courses, or other skill-building efforts that help investigators, trainees, and staff effectively use NSC cores and services.

What does "resource sharing" mean in the context of NSC3?

Resource sharing refers to facilitating the discovery and access of NSC resources across the network. The description suggests practical systems such as shared listings or catalogs of available services, protocols, technologies, data-related tools, or other materials that make it easier for users to identify and access what the NSCs offer.

What is the relationship between NSC3, NIA, and the Nathan Shock Centers?

NSC3 is expected to serve as a structured interface between NIA and the NSCs, working with both to develop strategies and plans for continued network development, future directions, and ongoing improvements.

Does an applicant need to be housed within an active Nathan Shock Center to apply?

No. Applicants are expected to understand the activities and role of the Nathan Shock Centers, but they do not need to be housed within or formally part of an active NSC to apply.

Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations, including state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and other organizations that meet NIH eligibility rules. The FOA also notes categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISI institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, HBCUs, TCCUs, faith-based or community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?

No. Non-U.S. entities (foreign organizations and foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Can a U.S. organization include a non-U.S. (non-domestic) component?

No. Non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible under this opportunity.

Are foreign components allowed under NIH policy for this FOA?

No. Foreign components, as defined by the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are not allowed.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The FOA lists an award ceiling of $350,000.

What is the CFDA number and funding category?

This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding in the health area under CFDA 93.866.

What were the posted dates for this funding opportunity?

The creation date shown is June 28, 2019, and the original closing date shown is October 22, 2019.

Does the posted closing date mean this is a current opportunity?

The posted dates indicate this particular posting reflects a past application cycle. Anyone pursuing a similar opportunity would typically look for a current reissue, renewal, or successor FOA from NIA/NIH.

What should a competitive NSC3 application generally include, based on the description?

A competitive application would be expected to present a clear coordination plan; communication and dissemination strategies to boost visibility; mechanisms to foster cross-center collaboration; a concrete approach to training support; workable systems for resource sharing; and, because this is a cooperative agreement, a clear plan for coordination with NIA and the NSCs, including governance, feedback loops, and planning processes that support continuous improvement.

Why does the cooperative agreement mechanism matter for how the project is managed?

Because it is a U24 cooperative agreement, the awardee is expected to work closely with NIH program staff and the NSC network in an ongoing, collaborative way. This makes governance, communication, and coordination processes especially important in the proposed approach.