Clinical-Community Linkages to Address Unmet Social Needs and Adverse Social Determinants of Health to Advance Health Equity among Populations Experiencing Health Disparities: The Bridge-to-Care Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | RFA NR 24 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA NR 24 003

The Bridge-to-Care Initiative is an NIH-funded research grant opportunity (R01; clinical trial optional) focused on changing how health care systems respond to patients needs by treating health and social context as inseparable. The core idea is that lasting improvements in health outcomes and real progress on health equity require health care organizations to work in deliberate partnership with community-based organizations and local service systems. Instead of viewing social needs as outside the scope of clinical care, the program supports research that builds and tests clinical-community linkages designed to identify and address unmet health-related social needs at the individual and family level, while also confronting adverse social determinants of health at the community level. The overarching purpose is to reduce health disparities and advance equity for populations experiencing disproportionate burdens of disease and barriers to care.

This opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under the National Institutes of Health and falls within the Education and Health funding activity category, with CFDA number 93.361. The funding opportunity title is "Clinical-Community Linkages to Address Unmet Social Needs and Adverse Social Determinants of Health to Advance Health Equity among Populations Experiencing Health Disparities: The Bridge-to-Care Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)," and the funding opportunity number is RFA NR 24 003. The original application closing date provided is 2024-03-22, and the notice was created on 2023-12-18. While the source data does not list a specific award ceiling or the expected number of awards, the mechanism is the standard NIH R01, which generally supports multi-year, hypothesis-driven or intervention-focused research projects with a defined scope, rigorous methods, and clear outcomes.

The research emphasis is on designing, implementing, evaluating, and improving partnerships between clinical settings (such as hospitals, health systems, primary care practices, community health centers, and other points of care) and community organizations (such as social service agencies, public health entities, housing and food assistance providers, legal aid, transportation services, and other local supports). Projects under this initiative would typically focus on how these partnerships can more effectively identify social risks, connect people to resources, close referral loops, and sustain engagement over time, while also addressing structural and community conditions that drive inequities. Because the funding announcement highlights both unmet social needs and adverse social determinants of health, competitive projects are likely to go beyond simple screening and referral and instead test approaches that strengthen coordination, accountability, data sharing, trust, culturally responsive services, and the long-term capacity of local ecosystems to support health.

Eligibility is broad and includes many domestic public and private entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other organizations. The opportunity also specifically calls out additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal agencies, and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. However, foreign components are allowed if they meet the NIH definition in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, meaning a U.S.-based applicant can include certain foreign elements as part of the project when well-justified and compliant with NIH policy.

In practical terms, this program is aiming to fund rigorous research that tests how health care and community systems can work together to reduce barriers tied to social conditions, improve access to supportive resources, and ultimately improve health outcomes for groups experiencing health disparities. The "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may propose either clinical trial research or non-clinical trial research, depending on the study aims and design, as long as the project aligns with the initiative goal of strengthening clinical-community strategies that address social needs and social determinants in ways that measurably advance health equity.

• The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Clinical-Community Linkages to Address Unmet Social Needs and Adverse Social Determinants of Health to Advance Health Equity among Populations Experiencing Health Disparities: The Bridge-to-Care Initiative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.361.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• 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.

Apply for RFA NR 24 003

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